Being a recent graduate and now interning at a music studio myself, I’ve gained some insight into the real world and what to expect. Like most ambitious and eager audio engineers, I came into the industry wanting to be the next best engineer. I was met with the reality that I had to earn my stripes as a music studio intern to get where I wanted to be. Here’s what I’ve learned.
Learn and be observant.
Your first week as a music studio intern will likely be a crash course of the studio orientation and the critical studio policies. Firstly, I would take some extra time and study the policies to identify the studio’s dos and don’ts quickly. Learning these guidelines will help you understand the “why” behind your actions as an intern. Also, take some time to learn about your studio space. Being observant and having a keen eye will help you identify things missing or possibly out of place in the studio. Keep the workplace clean, organized, and tidy to help lighten your team’s workload.
Stay busy and take the initiative.
As a music studio intern, expect to clean, run errands, and take on front desk duties as needed. There will be moments where you’ll have downtime. However, slow days are great moments to detail spaces that may have been overlooked or difficult to get to on busy days. Taking initiative will help you stand out from the rest who may not consider being pro-active. Having the mentality of doing things before someone tells you to do it will help you stay ahead of the game. Always work like someone is watching you, even when they’re not watching you.
Opportunities will arise.
I struggled with holding on to the faith that I will get the chance to shine. You have to believe that everything you do is for a purpose, and to trust the process. You may feel discouraged and at times hopeless, but those thoughts will only prevent you from manifesting your blessing and what can come your way. Be patient; your moment will come even though it may not feel like it at times. Someone wise once told me, “The only way to be ready is to stay ready.”
Everyone’s journey is different, but this starting point is similar for many who have chosen to follow their passion. My experiences have taught me to humble myself and focus on the things that will make me better as a person, a worker, and most of all, an engineer. Dedication to self-development, working hard, and overcoming the challenges of self-doubt will make you a well-rounded individual who will rise above any expectation.
If you’re still working on landing your first music studio internship, we’ve got some tips for you here.
