Throughout the month of April, CEMB Internship Coordinator, Jamie Stamey, will respond to three questions submitted by students embarking on their internship journey. If you have any questions you would like to see answered, feel free to email Jamie at jamie.stamey@belmont.edu.
Q4: What is the best way to find [an internship] that fits you the best? Sometimes the descriptions are very short and it is hard to tell what they’re like.
A4: Going back to last week’s question, RESEARCH is key here. You can learn a lot about a company online and by talking to previous interns. However, your biggest opportunity comes in the interview itself. Be prepared to ask some questions that will help you get a feel for the company culture, your day-to-day tasks, long term projects, etc. If they haven’t figured some of that out already, then they probably aren’t going to provide you a very structured internship. You might be okay with that, but at least you’ll know it going into your first day.
Q5: Is it a good idea to still intern at other companies while working part-time for another company on Music Row?
A5: This can be a tricky situation. The important thing here is communication. Speak with both of the employers to make sure they are okay with it. You don’t want to run into issues due to competition and confidentiality. Also, keep in mind that you are a STUDENT! The professional experience is important, but you also need to have enough time to dedicate to your academic work and even some extracurricular activities. And remember, you are supposed to have a little fun in college, so don’t overcommit yourself!
Q6: I’ve heard that there is a certain negative stigma with the local music scene surrounding Belmont students (for example, an assumption that we are all cocky and hard to work with). Is there any truth to this?
A6: Unfortunately, not every intern represents themselves and the University well. But the good news is, Belmont is not cranking out a bunch of clones of the same person. You alone control your reputation. Yes, there might be some employers that have had bad experiences with our students, but you can prove to them that you are different. Be humble. Be grateful. Have realistic expectations. Be willing to do the boring and mundane before they will trust you with the important and exciting. And remember this, you have an extensive network of Belmont alumni in this industry, both locally and nationally, that recognize the value of your degree at Belmont University.