Music Internships in Boston: A Guide to Opportunities in the Music Industry
Internships in the music industry in Boston offer invaluable opportunities for students and recent graduates to gain practical experience, develop professional skills, and build their networks. These internships provide a bridge between academic learning and the real-world demands of the music business, arts administration, and related fields. This article explores the landscape of music internships in Boston, focusing on opportunities available, eligibility requirements, and the benefits of participating in such programs.
Academic Credit and Eligibility
Many music internships can be structured to earn academic credit, allowing students to integrate their practical experience with their academic coursework. These opportunities allow you to apply the knowledge you gain in the classroom to a professional setting. These opportunities are the perfect way to use the concepts you learn from your major to earn experience along with academic credit and/or compensation.
Most internships can qualify for academic credit, which can be earned through internship courses designed to be instructed concurrently with your internship experience. To be added to an internship course, you must submit your internship to the Career Center for approval and registration. Students cannot receive retroactive credit.
To be eligible for academic credit, domestic students, non-US students, and transfer students are typically required to have completed at least two semesters of study. Berklee Online students are generally not eligible for these internship courses through the Career Center. Berklee Valencia graduate students should contact the International Career Center to discuss their eligibility. Berklee alumni who have obtained their diploma or bachelor’s degree from the Boston campus are eligible to enroll in IN-299 for the following two semesters (within eight months of graduation). Please note that alumni cannot be currently enrolled at another college or university to register for the course.
Internships for credit must start within the first two weeks of the semester. Internships for credit cannot be added to academic schedules after the second week of instruction. Students interning for academic credit must meet CGPA requirements for the internship course they intend to enroll in.
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Students registered for an internship course may intern at two different employers during the same semester under the same internship course. Previously completed internships cannot be awarded retroactive credit.
Students who wish to drop their internship can do so up until the ninth week of the semester. They must contact the Office of the Registrar directly and inform their internship advisor.
All internship courses are facilitated on Canvas and require the completion of assignments designed to enhance learning through critical reflection and evaluation.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for International Students
International students on F-1 visas have specific requirements for internships. They must receive Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization for all internship experiences, whether paid or unpaid. They can only intern in the US with authorization and by enrolling in an internship course administered by the Career Center. These students are not eligible to intern for CPT until they have completed two semesters.
To qualify for CPT, international students must meet the following criteria:
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- Currently be in valid F-1 status.
- Have been in valid F-1 status for at least two consecutive semesters immediately prior to the internship start date.
- Have secured a Berklee-sponsored internship through the Career Center and are registered for the appropriate internship course.
- Have been lawfully enrolled on a full-time basis for at least a full academic year.
An exception may exist for students in graduate studies whose programs require earlier training. It is crucial for international students to obtain CPT authorization on their I-20 before commencing their internship.
Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB) Youth Employment Program (YEP)
The Youth Employment Program (YEP) at the Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB) provides a unique opportunity for young people (ages 14 and up) to gain hands-on experience in arts administration within a nonprofit setting. This program empowers youth by increasing their self-confidence, providing meaningful mentorship, and supporting financial freedom through personal and professional growth!
All program participants work on a part-time basis (5-25 hours/week, scheduling is flexible) at CMCB’s Community Music School in the South End within our regular operating hours. They offer work in all three staff departments: Advancement, Programs, and Finance & Operations. Depending on the department, work formats include fully on-site, hybrid, or fully remote. Lastly, they offer a competitive hourly rate of $18.20/hour.
This position is an administrative role within a music education nonprofit where participants will learn the core functions of running an organization. Participants will help with producing programs and events, marketing, graphic design, research, financial tracking, communication, customer service, and more, providing a well-rounded experience in arts administration. This program offers valuable career development, hands-on experience, and the chance to work alongside creative peers. You’ll be part of a supportive team, contributing to impactful work in the arts community with access to professional development resources, learning opportunities, and mentorship.
CMCB long offered Counselor and Counselor-in-Training positions through our summer programs, SummerARTS and SummerMUSIC. Over time, students expressed interest in participating in more expansive workforce training and paid job opportunities, as a supplement to their musical study year-round. In response, they deepened their offerings in youth employment, integrating young people into leadership and administrative roles throughout the organization. Each year, 20-30 youth work in paid roles throughout the organization, at a living wage of $18/hour, gaining hands on experiential training to work in the arts field.
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In 2019, thanks to funding from the Sphinx Organization, CMCB led a pilot program for young professionals in the arts to have an 8-week mentorship and leadership training curriculum with CMCB’s Executive Director Lecolion Washington, whose curriculum was co-created by participants in the program. In 2022-23, CMCB was the lead grantee for a city-wide expansion of their youth employment work thanks to a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, and they partnered with the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, and six other nonprofits to lead a city-wide exchange for talented youth in the arts.
Types of Music Internships
Music internships in Boston can be found in a variety of settings, including:
- Record Labels: Internships at record labels provide exposure to A&R, marketing, promotion, and other aspects of the music recording industry. The Code is one such example, offering Winter Intern - A&R positions.
- Music Publishers: These internships focus on copyright, licensing, and royalty administration. LoveCat Music in New York offers Intern - Music Publisher & Record Label positions.
- Public Relations Firms: Interns assist with media relations, event planning, and publicity campaigns for musicians and music-related organizations. FYI Brand Group offers Spring Intern - Public Relations positions.
- Arts Organizations: Non-profit arts organizations and community music centers offer internships in arts administration, program management, and community outreach.
- Talent Agencies: Internships at talent agencies provide experience in artist management, booking, and tour coordination. Next Level Entertainment Global offers Summer Intern - Talent Management positions.
- Media Companies: Interns can work in journalism, content creation, and social media for music-related publications and platforms. Tuff City Records offers Spring Intern - Journalism positions.
- Entertainment Companies: These internships can involve graphic design, social media management, and content creation for film and music projects.
Skills and Responsibilities
The specific skills and responsibilities of a music internship vary depending on the organization and the department. However, some common tasks include:
- Administrative Support: Assisting with general office tasks, data entry, and scheduling.
- Research: Conducting market research, identifying industry trends, and researching potential artists.
- Social Media Marketing: Creating and managing social media content, engaging with followers, and analyzing social media metrics.
- Content Creation: Writing blog posts, press releases, and other marketing materials.
- Event Planning: Assisting with the planning and execution of concerts, festivals, and other music-related events.
- Customer Service: Interacting with customers, answering inquiries, and resolving issues.
- Graphic Design: Creating marketing materials, such as flyers, posters, and social media graphics.
- Financial Tracking: Assisting with budgeting, invoicing, and expense tracking.
- A&R: Assisting with identifying and evaluating emerging talent.
Benefits of Music Internships
Participating in a music internship offers numerous benefits, including:
- Hands-on Experience: Internships provide practical experience in the music industry, allowing students to apply their knowledge and develop new skills.
- Networking Opportunities: Interns have the opportunity to meet and connect with industry professionals, building their professional network.
- Career Development: Internships can help students explore different career paths within the music industry and gain a better understanding of their interests and strengths.
- Skill Enhancement: Interns develop valuable skills in areas such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management.
- Resume Building: An internship on a resume demonstrates practical experience and commitment to the music industry, making graduates more competitive in the job market.
- Academic Credit: Many internships can be structured to earn academic credit, allowing students to integrate their practical experience with their academic coursework.
- Personal Growth: Internships can boost self-confidence, provide meaningful mentorship, and support financial freedom through personal and professional growth.
Finding Music Internships in Boston
Several resources can help students and recent graduates find music internships in Boston:
- University Career Centers: Career centers at local universities, such as Berklee College of Music, often have listings of internships and can provide guidance on the application process.
- Online Job Boards: Websites such as Indeed, LinkedIn, and Handshake often list music internships in the Boston area.
- Industry Associations: Organizations such as the Boston Music Awards and the New England Conservatory may have internship programs or connections to local music companies.
- Company Websites: Many music companies and organizations post internship opportunities on their websites.
- Networking: Talk to professors, alumni, and other contacts in the music industry to learn about potential internship opportunities.
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