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What major is best for me to take in college?
Hi, i'm currently a sophomore in high-school and would love to get into the music industry! However I know it's difficult to get into and a lot of it is luck and connection based. I also would like to go to college but if I do should I go to set my self up for a safer career path? Is there anything I could do in college that would allow me to learn about the industry while also being able to have other paths to lean on if I needed to or just wanted a change? What could I major in? #career-path #college-majors #music-industry #music #double-major
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Jaryn’s Answer
Hi Kristina! This is a great question!
I am currently pursuing a career in the music industry and I can tell you that people major in many different things. There are executives that have studied engineering, English, business, etc. I would say majoring in something like Communications or Business will give you the opportunity to enter into the music industry but also go into other fields if you want to change later in life.
For myself, I am majoring in Communications and getting a minor in Music Industry. This has allowed me to have a really broad education that is applicable to any field while also getting an understanding of the music industry in classes that are specific to the business. I also recommend participating in extracurriculars like your college's radio station or concerts committee. You could also start your own blog or manage an artist friend. All of these things get you the experience that hiring managers are looking for in the industry!
I hope this helps! Best of luck!
I am currently pursuing a career in the music industry and I can tell you that people major in many different things. There are executives that have studied engineering, English, business, etc. I would say majoring in something like Communications or Business will give you the opportunity to enter into the music industry but also go into other fields if you want to change later in life.
For myself, I am majoring in Communications and getting a minor in Music Industry. This has allowed me to have a really broad education that is applicable to any field while also getting an understanding of the music industry in classes that are specific to the business. I also recommend participating in extracurriculars like your college's radio station or concerts committee. You could also start your own blog or manage an artist friend. All of these things get you the experience that hiring managers are looking for in the industry!
I hope this helps! Best of luck!
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Cynthia’s Answer
If you interested in the music industry, you may want to research music production and engineering degree.
You will learn about the creation and production of recordings of music and how to successfully complete recording projects that are typical of those found in contemporary professional recording and production environments.
Also, you may want to visit careersinmusic.com
The website will give you detail information for people thinking of going into various areas of the music industry.
This may help you narrow down exactly what career path you want to pursue in the industry.
You will learn about the creation and production of recordings of music and how to successfully complete recording projects that are typical of those found in contemporary professional recording and production environments.
Also, you may want to visit careersinmusic.com
The website will give you detail information for people thinking of going into various areas of the music industry.
This may help you narrow down exactly what career path you want to pursue in the industry.
Updated
Fiona’s Answer
Hey Kristina! I think its awesome that you are considering a career in the music industry!
The truth is, is that college is the place to explore if the things you are interested in could be something that you choose to make a career out of! There are so many good music business programs at universities that have the main intention of setting you up with an internship after graduation. You mentioned that getting into the industry is luck and connection based, and while that is absolutely true what people don't realize is that if you are at a credible school, your professors are your connections! For example, at Belmont University in Nashville, they have both a Music School as well as a Music Business and Entertainment school. In both of these departments the professors, for the most part, have either careers in the industry or connections in the industry. I think there would be such a benefit to looking into those opportunities in college if the music industry is something you really want to do.
Again, majoring in Music Business or Entertainment industry Studies (EIS) is not necessary to getting into the industry but it doesn't hurt! Being surrounded by people who want to go into the same field as you, or even being in an environment where you are learning about the industry you are passionate about is super important!
Good Luck!
The truth is, is that college is the place to explore if the things you are interested in could be something that you choose to make a career out of! There are so many good music business programs at universities that have the main intention of setting you up with an internship after graduation. You mentioned that getting into the industry is luck and connection based, and while that is absolutely true what people don't realize is that if you are at a credible school, your professors are your connections! For example, at Belmont University in Nashville, they have both a Music School as well as a Music Business and Entertainment school. In both of these departments the professors, for the most part, have either careers in the industry or connections in the industry. I think there would be such a benefit to looking into those opportunities in college if the music industry is something you really want to do.
Again, majoring in Music Business or Entertainment industry Studies (EIS) is not necessary to getting into the industry but it doesn't hurt! Being surrounded by people who want to go into the same field as you, or even being in an environment where you are learning about the industry you are passionate about is super important!
Good Luck!
Updated
Alex’s Answer
Hi Kristina,
I have many friends who work in the entertainment and music industry and there are no overarching themes for what degree they graduated with. A lot of them are great communicators and problem solvers. I would recommend finding courses that can help develop these skills as well as find opportunities at your university that allow you to exercise these skills in a music-related environment.
I was a radio DJ host and Program Director at my college radio station KCPR. This provided me and my fellow staff members valuable real-world experiences in an easy to enter "music industry" setting. Quite a few staff members from our station went on to work at UTA, WME, Paradigm, Redlight Management, Universal, Ticketmaster, and other companies in this industry. I am sure this is a similar experience for other university students who work for other reputable university radio stations.
I have many friends who work in the entertainment and music industry and there are no overarching themes for what degree they graduated with. A lot of them are great communicators and problem solvers. I would recommend finding courses that can help develop these skills as well as find opportunities at your university that allow you to exercise these skills in a music-related environment.
I was a radio DJ host and Program Director at my college radio station KCPR. This provided me and my fellow staff members valuable real-world experiences in an easy to enter "music industry" setting. Quite a few staff members from our station went on to work at UTA, WME, Paradigm, Redlight Management, Universal, Ticketmaster, and other companies in this industry. I am sure this is a similar experience for other university students who work for other reputable university radio stations.
Updated
Ellie’s Answer
If you're truly worried I'd recommend majoring in something else and doing a minor in music. For most college music ensembles ,you don't need to be a major in music to join them, so you could always do them as a side passion.