Discussion: Qualifications to work at a musiclabel?

mylicious

hey ATRL'ers!

I figured out what I wanna do for living. I'd love to work at a musiclabel since music is one of the most important things in my life.

I think it's very hard to get to work at a major label and wanted to ask if you guys what you think which qualifications you have to bring with you.

Any ideas?

Shapes

You have to be willing to step on people, to make fake friendships so you can manipulate them whenever you want for your own gain.

You need to be ready to start at the bottom and work your way up.

You have to take risks.

mylicious

Quote:

Originally posted by Shapes

You have to be willing to step on people, to make fake friendships so you can manipulate them whenever you want for your own gain.

You need to be ready to start at the bottom and work your way up.

You have to take risks.

Hmm..I think this must be possible without being fake too..

But do you have to study to get into a big label? If yes, what do you have to study?
I looked trough the internet but the informations aren't that big..

Living Legend

Quote:

Originally posted by mylicious

Hmm..I think this must be possible without being fake too..

nah, not really sis

For some maybe, but if you want to get into a label you gotta play the servant for everyone.

cheers09

Quote:

Originally posted by mylicious

Hmm..I think this must be possible without being fake too..

But do you have to study to get into a big label? If yes, what do you have to study?
I looked trough the internet but the informations aren't that big..

if you want to be in a label, at least have some degree in business,so you'll know how the business works and stuff.

mylicious

Quote:

Originally posted by Living Legend

nah, not really sis

For some maybe, but if you want to get into a label you gotta play the servant for everyone.

I may start as a servant, but I will end up as a L.A Reid

mylicious

Quote:

Originally posted by cheers09

if you want to be in a label, at least have some degree in business,so you'll know how the business works and stuff.

yeah that makes sense, thx

The Night

And what about academic qualifications ?

B2R4D

I'm interested in this too. Working at a major label would be amazing and I seriously consider it is a career option. I don't know what exactly you need in terms of qualifications, but I'm aiming to do communication (information and media) next year for University. Having a genuine interest in music, the industry and popular culture will certainly help though.

DG1

You need to know what aspect of the music business you want to get into so you'll know what to study specifically. There are degrees specifically for the music business like at NYU and other colleges, but a business degree will work too. You can start by trying to get internships... You can check the label's website, I'm sure they got information on it.

h.u.r.r.i.c.a.n.e

go ask cheli.

@streetteamcheli.

mylicious

Quote:

Originally posted by B2R4D

I'm interested in this too. Working at a major label would be amazing and I seriously consider it is a career option. I don't know what exactly you need in terms of qualifications, but I'm aiming to do communication (information and media) next year for University. Having a genuine interest in music, the industry and popular culture will certainly help though.

Yes, it would be amazing! I am thinking about studying media management and business, but I will try to get all the information I need to study the right thingy.

Quote:

Originally posted by DG1

You need to know what aspect of the music business you want to get into so you'll know what to study specifically. There are degrees specifically for the music business like at NYU and other colleges, but a business degree will work too. You can start by trying to get internships... You can check the label's website, I'm sure they got information on it.

Yes, those are all points you should have in mind. I am checking some websites atm and there are some interesting internship offers, I think that would be a good start.

Quote:

Originally posted by h.u.r.r.i.c.a.n.e

go ask cheli.

@streetteamcheli.

hmm.. who is cheli?

vuelve88

Quote:

Originally posted by DG1

You need to know what aspect of the music business you want to get into so you'll know what to study specifically. There are degrees specifically for the music business like at NYU and other colleges, but a business degree will work too. You can start by trying to get internships... You can check the label's website, I'm sure they got information on it.

Great tips.

Internships are very helpful. I live in Nashville, TN, which is considered "Music City". A lot of artists come here to record their music. Many record labels in the area are very receptive to having students serve as interns for a semester or summer.

One of my friends is currently a part-time merchandising manager for a band (well, a duo, actually

). Another friend just recently got a summer internship with a record label on Music Row. Another friend interned at a record label before moving onto law school.

In the cases of my friends, their majors varied greatly. One was a Communication Studies major (with a business minor), another was Pre-med and Art History, and another is Human and Organizational Development (HR/management).