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Where and when did you intern and what were your responsibilities?

This summer I interned with a recording studio, JCR Studio and Sound, based in Marion, Ohio. Throughout the internship I helped set up numerous concerts all over Ohio and even one in Kansas. I helped set up speakers, monitors, mics, lights, video walls, etc. I also had the opportunity to run the lights for two shows in Lancaster, Ohio, for the festival they put on every year, which was one of the top moments I had throughout the experience. It was a lot of fun learning all of the ins and outs of setting up and making a concert run efficiently. My boss was especially great at making the events run smoothly and teaching me how to be as efficient as possible.  

What was the best part about your internship?

I genuinely loved the entire experience. I got to make connections with so many amazing people, learn a lot in relation to shows and equipment, and I gained a lot of confidence that I am going into the right career. This internship, even though it booked my entire summer, was the best thing that could have happened. So I really can say the entire experience itself was the best part of my internship.

How did your internship connect to your major and/or your planned career?

As a music industry major, the entire internship connected to my major and planned career. I intend on, at some point in my career, hosting multiple concerts that this experience has thoroughly prepared me for. Prior to this internship, I had minimal knowledge of the equipment used in a concert environment, and I now know a lot about not only the equipment needed, and how to set it up to make the concert actually happen. I’ve also observed a lot of different aspects of how to make a concert happen such as how to do sound checks, setting monitor levels, how to run more complex lighting, and how to quickly problem solve for numerous situations. All of this is very essential to know going into the music industry. Knowing how to set up and use the lighting equipment is also essential to the performance to give the show the correct aesthetic to enhance the performance. I also need to know how to quickly problem solve because performances are extremely time sensitive/based. Through my internship, I also gained a good amount of connections to people in my career field. Connections are very important in every field, but especially in this field because if you know certain people you somehow gain more credentials because of those associations. Therefore, the more connections I can make, the better.

What advice would you give to current students considering an internship?

Whether you are already considering an internship or not, I think it is something everyone should do. You gain a lot of valuable insight not only into the career that you are pursuing but also into whether this is something you really want to do for the rest of your life (or a majority of your life). Don’t be afraid to ask people questions or for help. You will never know what experiences you can gain if you don’t ask questions.