New York-based Maria Neve is Senior Vice President, People Experience, at Sony Music Entertainment for the Americas.
She says: “Changing industries can be both exciting and uncertain. With reflection, passion, and determination, you can think about making a successful transition into the music industry.”
With this in mind, beloe Neve offers some key tips for those seeking jobs in the music industry – which should assist with them landing their dream role…
1) Think about your career journey
Define what matters to you and what a meaningful career experience looks like. Example: What challenges excite me? What is most important to me right now?
Consider your interests, passions, and ambitions. Example: What am I doing when I am at my best? What gives me fulfillment?
Identify skills and competencies that will make an impact. Example: What are my strengths? What do I need to improve on? What transferable skills do I have that would add value or I need to deepen further?
2) Immerse yourself in the industry
Learn and Practice: Take courses, attend workshops, microlearning sessions, read music/entertainment articles/platforms or teach yourself new skills relevant to your area of interest and the industry.
Network: Attend music events, follow industry thought leaders and creators, and join conversations with industry professionals across social channels. Seek out mentors to connect with and learn from.
Early Career: If you are in college or a recent graduate, explore internships and rotational programs which can provide valuable ground floor opportunities within the industry. At Sony Music, we seek to empower future industry leaders through immersive experiences across the globe.
3) Stay Aware
Industry Trends: Keep up with the latest trends, developments, and technological shifts in the music industry.
Continuous Learning: Be willing to learn and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
4) Find your footing to make an impact
Music is a continuously evolving industry and there are numerous opportunities to make a difference. Typically, artist facing roles do require experience scouting and signing new talent and/or creative skills in music production. However, opportunities exist in marketing and engineering, accounting and design, and so much more which may not require former music experience.
Another important part to be aware of along with skills and what you do, is how you show up. Your ability to demonstrate collaboration, empathy, curiosity, a bias for action, adaptability and agility will be critical to your success in not only shifting industries but also your ability to thrive in any role or profession today.
Within Sony Music, having an artist- first approach is a bedrock principle for us.
Think about where you can align your skills, interest, and ambition to make an impact within music. Whether your role involves commercially developing our artists, creating marketing strategies, or managing financial operations, you will be contributing to a broader mission.
For example, within Sony Music, having an artist- first approach is a bedrock principle for us. We put creativity at the center and the artist and people experience at the forefront of our mission. Whatever your role, your support is integral to the success of this creator first mission.
