The path to fame is long and full of hairpin turns. It’s always long lists of young performers who make you want to give up and think it’s too late to do anything. In reality, many music industry geniuses stay behind the scenes or start their careers when others retire. Everything depends on the perspective when we think about success and what we want.
The music industry is notorious for being perceived as musicians and musicians-only craft. In other words, we only see a performer. Many never consider how many people made it possible for everyone to be in the concert hall and enjoy the gig. Not to say how many other careers you can pursue in music without chasing a Grammy (although it does come as a bonus sometimes).
It’s a good idea to start building your skillset and search for opportunities while at college. You need to be a real pro at time management and utilize all necessary tools to balance your job and studies. As you unlock the benefits of a college essay helper at EssayPro, you will have more time to gain experience and get your degree. Then, you need to understand what to expect and prioritize during your college years.
Master your skills
Regardless of the major and field of your interest, your skills make it possible to land you the job of your dreams. College gives you more than a diploma and a set of practical knowledge. It gives you a set of soft skills any person working in the industry has to display:
- Advanced communication skills that you develop through writing essays;
- Teamwork and ability to cooperate with people efficiently;
- Problem-solving techniques and strategies;
- Time management and a good understanding of deadlines;
- Stress resilience and multitasking;
- Researching and ability to find anything you might need quickly;
Depending on the opportunities you are looking for, you might need additional skills specific to the job. Yet, you always can learn something that might be valuable for you further in your career:
- Digital skills in SEO, ads, and web development;
- Digital skills in graphic design and music software;
- Project management and PR;
Whatever you know is your biggest advantage. It’s a double win when you know how to advertise yourself. You can always transform your lack of experience with passion and determination.
Take your love for music seriously
Viewing music as your passion and hobby is a recipe for always loving what you do. Yet, if you aspire to build a career in the industry, you have to treat it as a business. You need to be realistic about your craft and what it’s worth. It is normal to maintain a balance between working on the craft of your life and doing what you need to do.
- Respect others’ time as you would respect yours. Always be on time and follow the deadlines of your projects. Music loves meticulous people;
- Always read your contracts and agreements;
- Set boundaries between your love for music and your job. Having no break and differentiation between job and other responsibilities can easily extinguish your creative spark;
- Asking for fair pay is normal. You don’t have to work for free or ‘for exposure’;
Your attitude is also something that can land you the best offer. No one wants to put up with a careless daydreamer, even the most talented one.
Consider different opportunities
The music industry loves people with versatile backgrounds. The more you know the kitchen, the less you feel disillusioned. Sometimes, the experience will snap you back to reality. Sometimes, it will give you a new perspective and a new wave of inspiration.
Therefore, you have to get every chance to work in different positions. Do you want to be a future music journalist or publicist? Consider becoming a freelance writer for your favorite magazine or social media manager at an agency. Don’t throw away volunteering offers because they might give you an upper hand in the future.
Know thy industry
As you plan to enter the business, it is good to have extra knowledge of trends and what sells. The industry is never the same, turning upside down and morphing into something different every season. If you are music savvy, you know that styles are like a pendulum, and pop culture has cycles. It is easier to anticipate what will explode next month when you know how it works.
It’s also helpful to be aware of different technical aspects of the industry. Get to know what is popular with graphic design or fashion, how social media platforms work, and what tech trends are at their peak, regardless of the primary specialization of your job. You will thank yourself in the future for knowing tech aspects and how to approach the situation.
Check out these resources to have an idea of where to look for updates:
- Billboard.biz;
- Pollstar;
- Digital Music News;
- i-D;
- Dazed;
Don’t be afraid to share your work and projects
If you plan to become a musician or lead designer for streaming platforms, you need to advertise your work online. Create a website with your portfolio and promote yourself on social media. How can you get known if you stay in your comfort zone and waste time waiting for perfection?
We all know stories of people getting hired by top-notch companies for their creativity and fresh outlook on something. It’s all about posting your pieces on the right platform at the right moment. The rest would be the algorithm and luck, but it’s worth it to shoot your shot.
Make connections
Being social and feeling comfortable in a crowd is an advantage that you can have when scoring a job in the business. Every industry relies on communication and cooperation. Even if you work as an independent artist or with independent artists, you still need to be prepared to talk with a lot of people.
It is a must to establish a productive relationship with your colleagues, professionals, and your classmates. Expand your network by attending festivals, shows, conferences, and other events where you can meet the right people. The music business blooms on cooperation, digital or in person. Of course, it’s possible to know zero people and make your breakthrough with platforms like Soundcloud and Bandcamp, but many opportunities are known from word of mouth.
Find internship opportunities
Never underestimate the power of internships, creative industries, or not. It’s the same as you will find a position yourself, but you can get credits for your course and potentially have support from your college. It may be less paid but more productive for you.
It will also be an awesome chance to brush your resume and create a portfolio. In many careers in music, you still need to have those being fresh and informative for your future employer. Don’t be afraid to go to a traditional career advisor to be prepared for any scenario.
The bottom line
It is essential to give yourself time when looking for a job and developing your brand. Many people want their careers to explode overnight. It’s not always a good thing to be a one-hit-wonder or expect everyone to hire you on the spot.
You get results only after you start doing something. Working hard and trying your best is always the answer for any artist and professional.
