MusicWorks comes to students' rescue

"Basically the program matches the needs of students to experience the real music industry in an educational and professional environment. All music business majors are required to take at least one internship, but we are encouraged to do as many as we can," said Dawn Apang, public relations major and founder of MusicWorks. "The classes that we take are important, but they only really begin to make sense after we start working in the industry."

MusicWorks is a free service and takes a lot of the hassle out of getting an internship, according to Rheanne Williams, a senior music business major that will be running the organization this summer and next year.

"It is a unique service designed by a student," Williams said. "It is also available to MEISA members, so you don't have to be in the music business or recording technology programs to participate. There are internships that could be interesting for marketing or business majors, too."

One of the most valuable elements of MusicWorks is the relationships and connections that people form during their internships, said Evanthia Mataragas, a sophomore music business and recording technology major who owns JEMM Entertainment.

"MusicWorks is a liaison between students, The University and local and national music industry professionals," Williams said. "We have contacts that students might not have on their own."

MusicWorks creates an advantage for students and or the local music industry, according to Apang.

"Most businesses were not even aware that there was a music business program at The University of Memphis and that needed to change. Relationships are essential to your career within the industry, and completing internships while you are still a student is the best way to start building those relationships," she said. "Also, Memphis is a city with a lot of potential just waiting to be tapped into. We all need to work together in this town if we're ever going to move ahead."

Apang made a proposal two years ago, and with the help of professor Tonya Butler and MEISA, she was able to get the program up and running.

"All I did was plant the seed. I needed an internship program and Dawn needed a senior project. It all just fell into place," said Butler, faculty chairperson and professor at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. "I monitor the internships to make sure the students are actually learning as opposed to making coffee and taking out trash."

Initially, Apang made the Web site and created two different forms, one for businesses and one for students, that helped to streamline the matching of students with the appropriate internships.

"We talk to students to find their strengths, interests and aspirations. There are many different ways to be involved in the music industry and I think sometimes people have a hard time figuring out where they fit," Apang said. "We also help them with their resumes and a cover letter, and stress to them the importance of looking and acting professional.

"Some students have never been to a professional interview before, so we try to prepare them for what that will be like. After we talk to the student and narrow down a few places they are interested in interning, we contact those places and if it's a good match, we set the student up with an interview."

MusicWorks doesn't just spoon feed all the students that they help, though.

"The main problem we have is students who think we are supposed to do all the work for them. What the program is trying to foster is a growing independence for the student, to empower them, to know how to dress and act for an interview, to be able to write their own resume and get the internship or job that they want," Apang said. "Essentially MusicWorks is set up to create opportunities, not to force people into them. All we can do is give the students the best possible chance to get an internship. The student still has to show up."

The "real world" experience that students get through internships in the industry is invaluable, according to Mataragas, who has been both an intern and an employer through MusicWorks.

"It is the best way to get experience, and if you do well, it could lead to a job in the future. It really opened up my eyes," she said. "It is also a good way to get your foot in the door, but it's a lot of learning, fast learning. But that is necessary to survive in the music industry."

While MusicWorks' future is still uncertain, Apang has confidence that it will continue and leave a lasting impression on The University and the community as a whole.

"I've met a lot of great professionals and a lot of inspiring students, and I was offered a scholarship last year to keep it going until I graduate. I've been training Rheanne Williams to take it over for me when I graduate in May, and I have total confidence in her abilities to keep it going the way I envisioned it," Apang said. "We want to open these opportunities up to the whole University of Memphis student body so that the public relations, communication, graphic design, marketing and any number of majors can take advantage of the opportunities offered by the businesses we've already tapped into.

"The music business is made up of all of these different parts, so if you are looking for an internship with the industry, come talk to us at MusicWorks."

To get more information about MusicWorks, go to their website:

Musicworks.Memphis.edu