How to Find a Music Industry Internship in Europe

Why internships matter

An internship gives you a look inside a company, a reference and a network. In music, where many roles are filled through recommendations, a good placement can be the difference between applying cold and being known. Employers also use internships to find future colleagues, since they have already seen how you work.

It also helps you test your assumptions. Many people discover that the job they imagined is not the one they enjoy, and an internship is a low-risk way to find out. You may realise you prefer data to A&R, or live events to marketing, and that insight is valuable whichever direction you take next.

Internships are not the only way in, and they are not suitable for everyone, particularly where pay is low and living costs are high. Consider carefully whether the placement offers real learning and a realistic path, and compare it with paid junior roles.

Know your rights

Rules on paid and unpaid internships differ by country. In many European countries an internship that forms part of a study programme may be unpaid or paid at a reduced rate, while others require a minimum allowance. Ask about pay, duration, working hours, learning goals and whether the placement counts for your course before accepting, and avoid arrangements that look like a full job without pay.

Check official sources such as your national labour ministry, your university's careers service or a trade union for the current rules, because they change. Get the terms in writing, including dates, hours, supervisor and any expenses covered. Reputable employers will have no difficulty providing an agreement.

Visa and permit rules can also affect internships, especially for people outside the country where the placement takes place. Ask the employer whether they can host you, and check the official immigration guidance before making plans.

If an internship is unpaid, ask whether it is a requirement of your studies and whether a university supervisor will oversee it. Where it is not, be cautious about long placements that replace a regular salaried job.

Where to look

Search the job board for internship, intern, trainee, apprentice and work-study positions and filter by employment type. Check the careers pages of labels, publishers, streaming services, agencies and festivals, and watch for application windows tied to the academic calendar. Many employers recruit interns several months before the start date.

Do not overlook smaller companies, collecting societies, associations and venues, which may take interns without much publicity. University careers offices and music programmes often have contacts with employers, so ask them about past placements.

Set up a simple routine: check the job board and the careers pages of your target employers each week, note the application windows and keep your documents ready. Some summer placements are filled many months ahead, so start early rather than waiting until spring.

Making your application count

Show your motivation with specifics: what you want to learn, which projects you have already done and how you can help the team from the first week. A one-page CV, a short cover note and a link to relevant work are enough. Be flexible about start dates and mention any language skills.

Name something concrete about the company, such as a release, a campaign or an event, and explain what you noticed. Check that your university agreement, if required, can be signed, and mention it in your note. Apply to several employers, because competition is strong, and keep tailoring each application.

If you can, tell a short story in your cover note about something you built or organised. A sentence about a playlist you grew, a gig you promoted or a report you prepared is more convincing than saying you are a hard worker.

Doing it well and asking the right questions

Treat the internship like a job. Be punctual, ask good questions, take notes and volunteer for tasks beyond your list. Keep a record of what you achieve, such as campaigns supported, reports prepared or events staffed, because those examples will strengthen your CV and your references.

In the interview, ask who you will report to, which projects you will work on, how feedback is given and what previous interns went on to do. Ask whether the internship is paid, how the hours work and whether there is a chance to continue afterwards. Good employers welcome these questions and answer them clearly.

Ask for a short review towards the end of the placement. A conversation about what went well and what to improve gives you language for your CV and shows maturity, and it often prompts a manager to think about whether there is a role for you.

Finally, look after yourself. Long hours and low pay can wear people down, so set boundaries, talk to your supervisor if workloads grow and use your university or union if something seems unfair.

Turning it into a job, and alternatives

Tell your manager that you want to stay, ask for feedback regularly and stay in touch with colleagues after you leave. If there is no opening, ask for introductions and a recommendation. Many people in music started as interns, and the contacts you make often matter as much as the skills you learn.

Apprenticeships, work-study placements, graduate programmes, volunteering at festivals and short project-based freelance work can all give you comparable experience. Search for apprentice, trainee and work-study keywords, and look at the programmes run by industry associations and showcase events.

Keep in touch after you finish. Send a brief update when you finish your studies or reach a milestone, and thank people who helped you. A short message a few months later is often what leads to a conversation about a new opening.

More guides

• How to Get a Job in the Music Industry in Europe
• Music Industry Careers by Field
• How to Start in Entry-Level Music Jobs