Getting experience in music
There are lots of opportunities to get experience whilst at Birmingham. Browse the list of Guild of Students: Student groups for any that are relevant to your interest in music, put on a club night, join a band, DJ, join fellow musicians and check out opportunities to perform, perhaps at a charity event or venue near to the University.
Explore ways you can volunteer your creative skills to support different projects, especially during the pandemic.
If you want to work in the music industry, it's essential that you make contacts. Social media is excellent for this and a brilliant way to share your passion with others in the area you want to break into. LinkedIn is also worth joining to build your professional network and join relevant groups.
AIM (The Association for Independent Music) has a networking calendar open to non-members. Check out other music industry trade bodies for similar events programmes.
Look for internships by visiting company websites and apply speculatively too. Use the Music Week job directory and other relevant publications such as The Unsigned Guide.
Getting experience in Theatre and performing arts
Get involved in University societies where there are opportunities, including performing and backstage/technical support. Don’t forget local, amateur and regional theatres and arts centres (examples include the Blue Orange Theatre in the Jewellery Quarter, Hall Green Little Theatre and the Lichfield Garrick) – these can be great sources of shadowing or work experience. Casual theatre jobs such as working as an usher in a theatre, concert hall or exhibition venue can also look great on your CV.
Viewing different types of theatre and performing arts is a great way to gain an understanding of the diversity of the sector. Most venues (such as the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company) do student prices, or lower cost tickets can be available on the day of a performance. Knowing about current trends in the sector is helpful when writing applications or preparing for interviews. Visit the websites in this guide to help raise your awareness.