You can ace every exam, quote Kotler in your sleep, or sight-read Bach without blinking, but if you’ve never sat in on a boardroom brainstorm or seen what chaos really looks like backstage before a live show… you’re still just playing in the sandbox.
Not that theory isn’t important. It is. But let’s be real: no one hires a pianist because they’ve written a paper on tempo rubato. And no startup wants a marketing intern who’s never opened a Google Analytics dashboard.
Practical experience isn’t extra credit. It’s the main course.
The Resume Can’t Fake This
Here’s what nobody tells you in your sophomore seminar: degrees open doors, but experience keeps them open.
Employers don’t just want to know what you know. They want to see how you move in the wild. Can you adapt when the client changes the brief mid-project? Do you freeze when the mic cuts during a live set? Can you manage deadlines and personalities effectively without feeling overwhelmed?
A 2023 NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers) report found that 91% of employers prefer candidates with at least one internship. Not “hopeful,” not “neutral,” preferred. Because real-world exposure builds grit, it shows initiative. It teaches you how to sweat through ambiguity and still deliver.
Business Majors: Stop Waiting for “The Right Job”
Let’s say you’re majoring in business at Alabama State University. You dream of running a consultancy or heading operations at a nonprofit. That’s great. But unless you’ve actually seen how a campaign runs or, better yet, helped steer it, your ideas are just that: ideas.
The good news? You’ve got options. Marketing firms. Local banks. ASU’s very own student-run ventures. Even volunteering with budget management for a community service event can unlock unexpected doors (and sometimes lead to community service-based scholarships if you document your impact).
Pro tip: Don’t get too excited about the “perfect” internship. Start where you are. That budget spreadsheet you updated for a small event? It teaches you real-world Excel skills. And humility.
Music Majors: Performance Is Just the Beginning
Now, let’s talk music.
Most people assume music majors live for the stage. And sure, performance is a rush. But beyond the applause lies a whole universe of music careers: production, event planning, teaching, therapy, and arts administration. Roles that pay the bills and nourish your passion.
One of my students, let’s call him Devon, thought he’d end up teaching high school band. Then he interned at a local recording studio, and boom, his world cracked open. He’s now mixing soundtracks for indie films and mentoring teens on the side. That experience didn’t just redirect his career. It provided him with talking points for his scholarship programs for HBCU students’ applications, which he successfully addressed.
So yes, play the notes. But also learn what goes into building the stage they’re played on.
Where to Find These Opportunities (They’re Closer Than You Think)
If you’re still reading, you might be thinking: “Alright, but how do I even find these gigs?”
Fair question.
Start at your school’s career services, yes, even if their website looks like it hasn’t been updated since 2009. Ask professors. Check industry-specific boards. Reach out to alumni on LinkedIn (seriously, most people love talking about themselves). And don’t underestimate word-of-mouth: your cousin’s friend might be managing a theater that needs help. Ask.
Additionally, if you’re a student of color or attending an HBCU, there are scholarships and internship programs specifically designed for you. Many of these programs combine mentorship, professional experience, and financial aid for ASU students, helping to offset unpaid or underpaid opportunities.
Because yes, your time deserves compensation. But sometimes, the payoff isn’t just cash. It’s clarity.
Make the Most of It (Or Don’t Bother)
Landing the internship is only the first step. Once you’re in, show up. On time. Prepared. Curious.
Ask questions. Offer ideas. Take notes. And don’t just do what’s asked, do one thing no one expected. That’s how you turn a placeholder internship into a reference letter or even a job offer.
Oh, and follow up. Thank them. Stay in touch. A good relationship might open a door years down the line.
Final Thought: This Isn’t About Experience—It’s About Becoming
Frankly, most blogs treat internships like a checkbox for future employment. I think that’s a load of fluff.
Internships aren’t just practice. Their transformation.
They’re where you learn the things professors can’t teach you: how to navigate people, handle failure, bounce back, and keep your cool when the power cuts mid-show, and the audience is already seated.
And guess what? Those moments, those scars, those improvisations, they’re the ones that stick with you. They shape how you lead, collaborate, and trust yourself.
So yes, get the degree. But don’t stop there. Step outside the classroom. Into the real. Into the hard. Into the beautifully messy business of becoming who you’re meant to be.
And if you’re lucky? Maybe you’ll get a few Alabama State University scholarships out of it.