Music is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Music
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Education
Career Areas
- Teaching
- Research
- Private Lessons
Employers
- K-12 schools, public and private
- Colleges and universities
- Conservatories
- Daycare centers
- Recreation centers
- Children's music programs (franchises, local)
- Studios
- Self-employed
General Information
- Acquire teaching certificate for public school teaching. Learn about requirements by state.
- Earn a graduate degree to teach in higher education. Specialize in an area such as music theory, composition, music history, etc.
- Performance skill on one instrument or voice is required.
- Gain experience working with children through volunteer or part-time work experiences.
- Join the National Association for Music Education as a collegiate member.
- Develop business relationships with schools and/or music stores to increase client base.
Performance
Career Areas
- Instrumental
- Vocal
Employers
- Orchestras: philharmonic, symphony, and chamber
- Armed Forces bands and orchestras
- Small ensembles
- Rock or jazz groups
- Dance bands
- Concert soloist
- Clubs and restaurants
- Church choirs
- Community choral groups
- Opera companies
- Musical theaters
- Ballet productions
- Recording industry
- Radio, television, and motion picture industries
- Cruise lines
- Amusement parks
General Information
- Develop musical talent and skill.
- Obtain formal training to acquire necessary skills, knowledge, and ability to interpret music.
- Demonstrate ambition and showmanship.
- Join campus bands and choruses, church choirs, and other performing acts.
- Seek competitions, apprenticeship programs, and workshops to gain experience and recognition.
- Auditions are generally required to join bands or get jobs.
- Be willing to move to a large city with more opportunities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Nashville, Las Vegas, or Chicago.
- Network with people in the industry to learn about potential jobs.
- Opportunities are very limited. Most performers have other careers.
Conducting
Career Areas
- Directing
- Planning
- Leading
- Musician Selection
Employers
- Orchestras: philharmonic, symphony, and chamber
- Armed Forces bands and orchestras
- Various bands
- Choirs
- Choral groups
- Opera companies
- Musical theater companies
General Information
- Develop superior musicianship and leadership.
- Acquire extensive experience in performing groups.
- Develop advanced sight-reading skills.
- Learn other languages such as French, German, Latin, and Italian.
- Gain acceptance into a conductor-training program or related apprenticeship.
- Opportunities are extremely limited.
Composing and Arranging
Career Areas
- Composing
- Arranging
Employers
- Self-employed
- Record companies
- Publishers
- Muzak
- Motion picture and television industries
- Production companies
- Orchestras: philharmonic, symphony, and chamber
- Opera companies
- Musical theater groups
- Ballet troupes
- Broadway
General Information
- Knowledge of composition, harmony, arranging, and theory are important.
- Skill on one or more instruments and voice are necessary. Play an instrument in a professional arena.
- Become familiar with all types of music productions.
- Learn how to use electronic instruments and synthesizers.
- Develop computer and desktop publishing expertise.
- Attend music conferences and workshops.
- Seek grants and awards through foundations, e.g. one from the National Endowment of the Arts.
- Very few musicians earn a living through composing.
Music Libraries
Employers
- Colleges and universities
- Conservatories
- Public libraries
- Radio and television stations
- Motion picture studios
General Information
- Develop computer and research skills.
- Gain thorough knowledge of music and musicology.
- Earn a master's degree in library/information science.
- Work in a campus or public library to gain relevant experience.
- Develop good organizational and technology skills.
- Learn to understand foreign languages, particularly Italian, Latin, German, and French.
- Join the Music Library Association.
Broadcasting and Communications
Career Areas
- Music and Program Direction
- On-Air Performance
- Promotion
- Voice Overs
- Copyright/Clearance Administration
- Music License Administration
- Music Editing, Production, and Composing
- Sound Mixing
- Post Production
- Research
Employers
- Radio and television stations
- Virtual reality sound environments e.g. Internet sites, software creators
General Information
- Take classes in communications, broadcasting, or journalism.
- Work at on-campus radio station.
- Complete an internship at a television or radio station.
- Develop computer-related skills such as software development and programming.
Music Therapy
Employers
- Hospitals: general and psychiatric
- Special education facilities
- Mental health centers
- Nursing homes and senior centers
- Rehabilitation centers
- Correctional facilities
- Private practice
- Outpatient clinics
- Schools
General Information
- Take courses in psychology, social work, or education.
- Earn a master's degree in music therapy and seek certification.
- Volunteer in a rehabilitation setting.
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in helping people.
- Learn to work well with all types of people.
- Develop a broad array of musical talents.
Behind the Scenes
Career Areas
- Audio Technician
- Boom Operator
- General Director
- Music Video Producer
- Recording Engineer
- Set Up
- Recordist
- Rerecording Mixer
- Sound Engineer
- Sound Technician
- Sound/Production Mixer
- Stage Manager
Employers
- Local bands
- Regional bands
- Production companies
- Theater groups
- Orchestras
- Armed Forces
- Radio, television, and motion picture industries
General Information
- Shadow an individual who is in the music industry in an area of interest.
- Volunteer in community, school, or church productions.
- Gain expertise in the areas of musical and technical knowledge, sound board, and sound equipment.
- Take courses in areas such as broadcasting, engineering, or computer science to learn technical skills.
- Complete an internship with a recording company or other relevant organization.
- Research seminars, workshops, and professional associations that could provide useful information or contacts.
- Check trade journals and association bulletins for possible employment.
Music Industry/Business
Career Areas
- Publishing and Editing
- Producing
- Recording
- Engineering
- Manufacturing
- Talent Acquisition
- Artist/Talent Representation
- Promotion/Media Relations
- Publicity
- Administration
- Marketing
- Booking
- Product Management
- Business Management
- Retail Sales
Employers
- Production recording studios (most located in New York City, Los Angeles, and Nashville)
- Music management groups
- Agencies
- Music and record stores
- Instrument manufacturers
General Information
- Complete an internship at a record company.
- Take business courses to work in management or administration.
- Journalism, public relations, and communication classes are helpful for work in areas of promotion.
- Gain sales experience for marketing. Learn to interact well with people and develop persuasion tools.
- Knowledge of electronics, audio engineering, and recording knowledge required for production. Work or volunteer at a campus or local radio station.
- Join organizations involved with bringing events and entertainment to campus.
- Work at a retail record store to learn about the industry.
- Volunteer to help promote a local or campus band with their promotions and bookings.
- Gain a broad knowledge of music and the industry.
- Build a strong network of contacts.
- Develop skills such as negotiation, assertiveness, the ability to recognize talent, and working under pressure.
Miscellaneous
Career Areas
- Music Journalism
- Law
- Music Analysis
Employers
- Music-related publications
- Magazines and newspapers
- Entertainment or music focused Internet sites
- Entertainment law firms
- Production companies
General Information
- Take courses in journalism and English.
- Write articles for campus newspaper.
- Prepare for law school and earn a law degree (J.D.).
- For music analysis:
- Develop the ability to read and transcribe well.
- Gain knowledge with use of high tech digital computers to analyze music.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Majoring in music provides students with a sense of aesthetics and an understanding of human expression valuable to many employers.
- Develop competencies in business management, computers, marketing, or other areas to broaden the range of employment possibilities.
- Finding positions in the music industry requires a combination of talent, training, connections, and some luck. Perseverance is required!
- Develop a variety of skills. Become "multi-talented."
- As an undergraduate, gain as much experience as possible, paid or unpaid, through college and local organizations. Seek internships or volunteer positions with relevant organizations.
- Confidence, personality, a positive attitude, and a love of music are important to success in many arenas of music. Learn basic tools of self-promotion.
- Some jobs may require you to join unions or guilds. Research the industry to learn which ones are appropriate.
- Performers often travel frequently and should be flexible regarding their work schedules.
- Moving to a larger city such as Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, or Chicago to find more job opportunities can be beneficial.
- Join campus bands and choruses, church choirs, and other performing acts.
- Seek competitions, apprenticeship programs, and workshops to gain experience and recognition.
- Attend music conferences and workshops.
- Seek grants and awards through foundations, e.g., from the National Endowment of the Arts.
- Shadow an individual who is in the music industry in an area of interest.
Contact Us
145 Marano Campus Center
Phone: 315-312-2255
Email: [email protected]
Connect with a Career Coach
Meet with a Career Peer Intern
Career Tools
Discover the best online tools available to help you explore majors and careers, find internships and jobs, develop amazing documents, and connect with others!
Follow Us
