This July, I had the opportunity to join several other college students in Nashville, Tennessee, to hear from business professionals in the music industry. Like myself, the other students belong to CMA EDU, a collegiate program created by the Country Music Association that works to educate young adults about the music industry. We learned from leaders like Sarah Trahern (CEO of CMA), Tiffany Kerns (Executive Director, CMA Foundation), Caylee Hammack (a recording artist), Tree Vibez Music (a publishing company), and many more. With this insider view into the industry, I picked up a few tips on how to score your dream internship and perform your best in your role. Here are some bits of wisdom that stuck out to me during my experience:
1. Customize your resume
Tiffany Kerns, the Executive Director of the CMA Foundation, and Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA, spoke to us about resumes. Sarah noted that customizing your resume specifically for the job you're applying for can take you a long way. Sometimes minor changes can have a big impact! Tiffany also stressed how important it is to show your passion in your resume. Whoever is reading it on the other side can always tell if you really care about your accomplishments, versus simply adding things to fill the page. A resume is an essential step to show off your personality, passions, and skills before you take the next steps in the interviewing process - take advantage of it!
2. Lead the interview
After your resume has been cleared, the interview is your opportunity to land the position. Tiffany spoke to us a lot about the importance of public speaking and interviewing. She made a point that leading an interview is a great way to demonstrate the skills that you want to show off. A strong potential candidate might start off by saying "Thank you for having me, I'm really excited to talk to you about the skills I'm confident in as they relate to this role." This tone can shift the direction of the interview, rather than just allowing whoever is on the other end to steer the meeting. It should be a conversation, rather than strictly questions and answers.
3. Networking is Important
Many of the interviews you get will come from your established network of business connections. Throughout the CMA EDU Executive Summit, a lot of the speakers mentioned that the music industry is a relationship-driven business. Most of the speakers got their internships and full-time jobs because they had connections from past experiences and had worked hard to maintain those connections.
When you are given the chance to network or meet people within your field of interest, take advantage of it. These connections could be vital in helping you score your dream internship. After you've introduced yourself and established a connection, it's essential to check in every now and then. Make sure you've sent them your resume, updated them on your work or studies, and recognized their recent accomplishments in the industry.
4. Get involved on your campus
As a college student, most opportunities to build up your resume will take place on your campus. Maybe that means joining a club or getting a job that can benefit your future career. For me, CMA EDU has completely altered the course of my college journey. Because I'm aspiring to work in the music industry, having opportunities to get exposure and connect with professionals in the industry has opened my eyes to what my career could be like. Even if there isn't an established club or job that can benefit your future, it's easy to start a new organization with a few other students within your major.
5. Take advantage of smaller opportunities
Know that at the beginning of your career, you'll have a lot of chances to work in ways that seem insignificant or behind the scenes. These opportunities shouldn't be overlooked. They are great resume builders! In the fall, I was given the opportunity to work the CMA Awards, and just this past June I was able to be on the Temporary Media Staff for CMA Fest in Nashville. Although these experiences only last a few days, it was a great way to see what these events are like and build my skill set.
Down the road, this will demonstrate to potential employers that my interest in the industry has been ongoing since I was volunteering to work events during my freshman year. Aside from getting exposure to the pace and demands of the industry, working events is a great way to connect with others. If you don't know of any ways to do this, reach out to your professors or industry professionals to ask if they know of anything you can do!
6. You might get a few no's, and that's okay
Something that I heard several times throughout the CMA EDU Executive Summit was that it's important to have thick skin because you WILL get turned down. Know that this happens to everyone, and it's okay. You just have to keep working hard to get where you want to be. Nobody starts out in the same position they end up in, and all the professionals that I met worked very hard to get where they are today in their careers.
7. Show your passion for your field
Regardless of whether you're interviewing or already working your dream internship, the professionals around you need to see how much you care. After working in an established field for so long, it is clear to them when someone feels passionately about their work. Seeing that excitement and drive to make an impact on your field can leave a lasting impression on the individuals you meet and can lead to more opportunities in the future.
I am extremely thankful for this one of a kind experience at the CMA EDU Executive Summit. The knowledge I walked away with will be extremely beneficial for my future, and I am eager to apply it to my internships and career!
