Junior journalism student Lauren Coin enhanced her understanding of the music industry as a digital intern with Country Now at Red Light Management in Nashville, Tennessee.
Coin’s tasks involved a mix of reporting and graphic design, specifically focusing on the careers of rising country music artists. She wrote pieces on new releases, such as songs and music videos, as well as on their careers and general country music news.
“I had not written about music prior to this internship, so I learned a lot about industry lingo and phrasing that I was able to incorporate into my published pieces,” Coin said.
As a fan of music, Coin brought her personal experience into her work, allowing her to gain a deeper understanding of the field and what it entails.
“This experience showed me a lot about the inner workings of the music industry, which was extremely eye-opening,” Coin said. “I really enjoyed learning more about the industry from the artist’s perspective, as opposed to the fan’s perspective.”
In an environment where her knowledge was ever-evolving, Coin was sometimes hesitant to seek assistance from those around her. However, she discovered that doing so helped her in the long run.
“One big lesson I learned is not to be afraid to ask questions,” Coin said. “In the beginning, I was scared to ask for help from the full-time staff or make a mistake, but I learned that everyone just wants to help you learn and see you succeed.”
Coin encourages students to take advantage of the Spartan community when looking for internship and job opportunities.
“Network,” Coin said. “Reach out to MSU alumni working for companies you want to work at and ask to speak with them to learn more about what they do. The alumni network here is so large, and fellow Spartans always want to help out other Spartans.”