Music industry internships

For those looking to get a foot in the door of the music industry, internships have always been the traditional route towards a full-time permanent position. In this blog, we give some more information how how internships work…

In days past, the role of the intern may have meant little more than fetching the coffee and doing the photocopying, all too often without any meaningful wage.

Thankfully, while the tasks required of you may not have changed, the industries’ attitude to compensation may have.

Lobbying groups UK Music and Intern Aware have drawn up an ‘Internship Code of Practice’ which aims to encourage music industry employers to pay their interns fairly.

This Code of Practice aims to show employers what they should be offering, whilst also imparting crucial knowledge to interns as to what they should expect from their employer.

However, will it be incorporated by idealistic music industry companies or shunned in favour of a free workforce, leaving many talented individuals who simply cannot afford to work for free out in the cold?

Interns should be paid and judged on their talent, not their ability to work for free

UKMusic.org

Whilst the Office for National Statistics states that the unemployment figures for those aged 16 and over have been gradually falling since 2011, many young graduates looking to enter the Music Industry continue to fight tooth and nail for (all too often) unpaid internships.

These figures also rarely take into account the wages being earned by those working in the so-called “Gig economy” or on zero-hours contracts, for example.

Whilst placements from bigger companies such as Sony Music and Live Nation are well designed (usually between 6-12 months long and paid a suitable wage) it is internships from smaller companies who regularly do not pay interns and in many cases expect them to work long hours for free. This can often call into question their overall value.

What is an internship?

An internship is a role (often undertaken by young people and graduates) to gain experience in a defined line of work.

Theoretically, the talent, skill and work ethic of an intern during their placement will be assessed by the company – therefore increasing the intern’s chances of future employment.

Even if an intern feels undervalued and disenfranchised by a work experience placement, it can be the case that simply having it on a CV can lead to better opportunities. 

It’s important to ask for a reference when you leave your internship – a good reference can prove very valuable in the quest for a full-time role.

As is the way with many industries, building up personal relationships with employers and people offering paid work will always be of benefit.

There is no denying that the music economy in the UK creates jobs.

Thecreativeindustries.co.uk report that, in 2017 the “Latest industry data estimates that the core music industry made an estimated economic contribution – also known as Gross Value Added or GVA – of about £4.4bn to the UK economy in 2016 and supported 142,208 jobs.”

Despite other previous trends, the music industry is finally starting to see some more general economic growth, meaning it is more likely internship positions will be available.

In the US in particular, revenue from streaming services has meant the music industry saw its first year of double digits growth in quite some time.

Advantages of an internship:

An internship can provide many different opportunities. While the actual tasks required of you will vary, you could end up sitting in on high-level meetings and attending dinners, gigs or functions (possibly even awards parties!), all usually on expenses.

Through these events, you’ll meet new and exciting people and make connections by networking. The more you can build your reputation as a hard worker, the more likely you will be to secure a full-time position and work your way up in the company.

• Attend gigs, dinners and functions
• Networking opportunities
• Sit in on meetings

Disadvantages of an internship:

The simple reality is that being an intern can be very hard work. You’ll often have to work very long hours without adequate financial compensation, and might have to deal with some low level, more menial jobs like typing, photocopying and (perhaps famously) getting the coffee!

• Some low level jobs
• Long hours
• Low wages

Make sure a position is right for you

While internships can be famously competitive, that doesn’t mean you should bend over backwards to follow every possible opportunity.

You need to consider each option carefully and make sure you won’t simply be exploited as cheap labour – especially if a company is a smaller, independent operation.

It is always important to ask yourself (and your potential employer) if you will be gaining meaningful experience from any potential internship.

UK Music’s internship principles:

• Internships are a short period of work and training and also allow employers to assess potential employees
• Internships should be advertised openly and transparently and recruited on merit
• Interns should always we paid at least the national minimum wage to ensure they are judged on their talent, not their ability to work for free.
• Internships should be of high quality, structured to ensure both parties benefit from the opportunity

View the internship code of practice

Have you undertaken an internship in the music industry? Have any tips for those looking to get into the industry? Perhaps you offer young people work experience opportunities? Let us know in the comments below!