With the first of two deadlines for EIA summer funding approaching on March 15, it has come to my attention that some of y’all are FREAKING OUT about summer internships, funding, housing, and, thusly, your own (in)significance in the world. I overhear you talking with your friends at the other end of my lunch table in Atwater, debating whether it’s appropriate to include your 11^th grade Model U.N. exploits on your resume. I detect the thin current of panic in your voice when you come into the EIA to clarify a deadline for this or that internship. I overheard you, once, say to a friend who hadn’t started looking for internships (the first week of J-Term), “Whoa. You better get on that. I mean, what are you going to do…like, work at Whole Foods?” (OH GOOD GOD, NOT WHOLE FOODS.)

To assuage some of your anxieties, I thought it might help just a little to offer some advice from someone who’s “been there,” that is, gone through the processes that are freaking you out so much. Applying for funding. Holding down your first “real person” internship or job. Finding a place to live and paying the rent. Living on your own in a new city or area of the country. Giving a Skype interview. Wearing “slacks?”

 Eliza Wallace, a junior from Shepherdstown, West Virginia, was in your same boat at this time last year and guess what — it all turned out totally fine. Eliza, a joint English and Geography major, ended up interning with Ugly Duckling Presse and zingmagazine last summer and working part-time at a (pie!) bakery in Brooklyn. Eliza was kind enough to answer some questions via e-mail–while studying abroad in Istanbul, Turkey–about her experience finding her internships, applying for summer funding, and procuring housing in Brooklyn.

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“In Their Own Words” is an ongoing series featuring the experiences of Middlebury students at their summer internships. This summer Catherine Charnov ’13 interned with Universal Records in New York City.

What did you do?

This summer, I interned in the A&R department of Universal Records in New York City. I had previous experience in music marketing, publicity and management but really wanted to understand how musical decisions are made and how artists are found. This internship was the perfect opportunity. Every day, I researched unfound and upcoming talent using online resources and sales charts to present, with a formal report, to my boss for review and the possibility of further research or analysis. I was also in charge of compiling airplay charts and lists of top artists world wide, monitoring sales spikes and online fan bases. I also got to help with miscellaneous tasks such as making CD labels and inserts, setting up instruments and stage equipment in their showcase lounge, and creating manifests for disc filing. We were also sometimes allowed to watch artists’ showcases and critique unreleased singles in listening sessions. Every Friday, representatives from different departments, such as digital marketing, the TV sync team, international dept., sales, etc., would come and speak to the interns for around an hour about what their department was and how things worked. This was extremely helpful in terms of solidifying my understanding of the company as a whole and how each piece of the larger whole fit together. Middlebury prepared me for this internship by teaching me to be timely, responsible, and eager to learn. Not much of what I did this summer could have been acquired in a classroom setting because everything was so hands-on and practical.

What did you learn?

An example of what made this internship meaningful to me was when I got to congratulate Florence + The Machine on her newest album going platinum. She came into the office and we got to present her with a gold plaque etc. It was great for me to realize not only the side of an artist’s manager, AIR representative, and sales team but also how much time and hard work the artist must put in to achieve such great successes. I was honored to be a part of Florence’s celebration. The thing I learned the most from this internship was how hard you have to work and how much you have to really want it to get anywhere in the music business. In A&R in particular— if you are behind the signing of one top-selling, amazing artist, you are golden and automatically promoted. However, if you do not get that lucky, it seems that only persistence and patience are the keys to success.

What are your plans for the future?

I think this internship will greatly impact my future career plans because before this summer, I was wondering if A&R would, after my experiences in other parts of the music business, be a better fit for my interests, and it turned out to be perfect. I would be very happy to get a job after graduation working at Universal Records of for the A&R department of another record label. I love working directly with the musicians and the music they create.

Think this experience sounded pretty cool? Check out opportunities like this and more on MOJO.

Even though Spring Break has passed and the semester is halfway over, MOJO is still teeming with awesome internship opportunities for Midd kids this summer. This week I’ll highlight internships in a variety of career fields so that you can get the latest and greatest in MOJO offerings. To learn more about his internships or to apply, visit MOJO today.

Also–if your internship is unpaid you can apply for funding from Middlebury at go/summerfunding. The next deadline to apply for funding is April 4th.

 Summer Internships in Theater and the Arts:

1. Art Teacher Assistant at Multi Arts in Hadley, MA

Deadline to Apply: April 15

Work with fantastic professional artists and expand your potential as a teacher and artist by assisting with the Multi Arts Day Camp. Responsibilities include helping children with art projects, creating and developing lesson plans, teaching art classes, coordinating stagecraft and costume design, and planning games and artistic activities for campers. *Although this internship is unpaid, you can apply for funding from Middlebury at go/summerfunding.

2. Paid Administrative Intern at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury, VT

Deadline to Apply: April 13

Interning at the Town Hall Theater in Middlebury will allow you to get excellent hands-one experience in all areas of management and production! The position includes handling contracts, promotional materials, email blasts, programming as well as, working as assistant stage manager, operating the light and sound boards, assisting with load-ins and talent hospitality, selling tickets and assisting the front-of-house staff as needed.

3. Arts Festival Administrator at Valley Arts Foundation and Festival in Waitsfield, VT

Deadline to Apply: April 20

 The Valley Arts Foundation is a small non-profit located in the Mad River Valley, Vermont. It puts on the annual Vermont Festival of the Arts, which has been chosen for three years in a row as one of Vermont’s Top 10 Summer Events.  As an intern, you will assist the Executive Director in the administration and execution o f the 2012 Vermont Festival of the Arts by offering administrative and organizational assistance. Additionally, the administrative intern will be responsible for one event during the festival and take ownership of the entire project. Midd alum Karen Nevin ’85 is offering this opportunity. *Although this internship is unpaid, you can apply for funding from Middlebury at go/summerfunding.

Below is a summary of the Winter Term ‘10 internships posted on MOJO as of Sept. 22, 2009. For more information about an opportunity, or to see more listings, visit www.middmojo.com.