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devin wojtanek

Devin Wojtanek: Internship while on Lockdown

Berklee Blogs introduces Devin Wojtanek, a Music Business major and spring intern, as he begins his internship with Indie Ambassador, the team behind presskit.to, a portfolio web app designed to enhance communication within the professional music & entertainment industries. In today’s blog, Devin gives us an intern’s perspective on the recent marathon bombings and learning while on lockdown…

Writing this today, I would like to be able to talk about all the progress Indie Ambassador, as well as myself, have made over the past two weeks. Quite unfortunately though that would be difficult, as within the past two weeks, I have only made it into work once. There’s no “good” time for your city to be put on lockdown.

The last time I did make to Charlestown, it was a pleasant day, warmer than we’ve been used to lately. It was a very relaxed, just coming off a successful stint of meetings with Berklee, I spent the better part of the day dog-sitting our office dog Henry (most enjoyable), as I was continuing online research for companies. My most recent assignments have been a little broader and less specific. It’s mostly self-directed research online, looking for other music companies, whether potential partners or competitors, and taking notes. Our SXSW online radio station was so successful that IA has decided to carry on the station indefinitely, playing old and new sessions. Thus, I’ve been researching other online radio stations, seeing what they do best, and imagining what a successful station for IA would look like.

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Devin Wojtanek: Navigating the New Music Industry

Berklee Blogs introduces Devin Wojtanek, a Music Business major and spring intern, as he begins his internship with Indie Ambassador, the team behind presskit.to, a portfolio web app designed to enhance communication within the professional music & entertainment industries. In today’s blog, Devin shares his thoughts on entering a new music industry as a student musician…

In the past few weeks at Indie Ambassador, there has been a spark of intensity in the atmosphere surrounding our growing project with Berklee. To recap, Presskit.to has been developing an “opportunity”/job listing board for Berklee LA alumni. Along with hooking these alums up with a Presskit, this jobs board is directed specifically for Berklee grads in LA looking for the types of jobs needed to advance their careers. Justine, the alumni coordinator stationed in LA, came over to Boston last week for a meeting, an experience that was very interesting to sit in on.

The relationship between a collegiate institution and its alumni is almost sacred in a way, as the perceived viability of the school is dependent upon the success of their graduates. At a place such as Berklee, were the nature of the art and its subsequent relation with commerce are in a constant dance with each other, it is almost impossible to determine what an average career path for a Berklee alum would look like. This is why grads’/alumni’s career paths can vary so drastically, from a small town music teacher to the super famous.

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Valerie Teicher: Demonstrating Your Value

Berklee Blogs introduces Valerie Teicher, a Music Business major and spring intern, as she begins her internship at BMG Chrysalis, a rights management company representing publishing and recording rights, as well as at The Windish Agency, an independent NYC booking agency serving musicians, bands and DJs. In today’s blog, Valerie tells us about the importance of demonstrating your value both inside and outside the classroom…

As my time at both BMG Chrysalis and The Windish Agency is nearing its last month, I am keen to see how the experiences turn out, and what next step they will lead me toward. Although as mentioned in my previous entry, I am not counting on a job offer at either of these places come May, I am certain that I will come out with experience and contacts that will guide me in a good path.

What I have found the most valuable being in a city like New York and interning at companies like these is that there is opportunity all around you. This is not to say that there are necessarily job openings or a career waiting for you to take it, but in the same way that there is always something going on in the New York City, there is always something to be a part of on a deeper level. I have stumbled into a variety of very rewarding opportunities in the creative sense just by being here and being surrounded by like-minded people, and I know that when a real career opportunity comes by, it will be due to these, rather than necessarily a resume, or a GPA.

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Valerie Teicher: Kicking Back and Thinking Ahead…

Berklee Blogs introduces Valerie Teicher, a Music Business major and spring intern, as she begins her internship at BMG Chrysalis, a rights management company representing publishing and recording rights, as well as at The Windish Agency, an independent NYC booking agency serving musicians, bands and DJs. In today’s blog, Valerie tells us about a welcome opportunity to get to know her coworkers better and insights into her future career…

This past week was particularly interesting at BMG Chrysalis in terms of office dynamics. Since moving into a new office at the beginning of the year, it seems that the employees have taken it upon themselves to plan out a variety of activities and office-wide events to bring everyone together and build a fun sense of community at work.

We had the first ever office-wide open mic, at which various coworkers performed and showed off their many musical talents. It was great seeing how so many of the people I am surrounded by on a daily basis are all musicians as well, and getting a chance to watch them in their element outside of the work context was really interesting. It was especially exciting because I was able to perform a couple of songs, teaming up with a coworker who has become a good friend. We played a cover and an original song of mine, and it was great having a chance to share that part of myself with those at work, and getting positive and supportive feedback from them. Overall, this activity really allowed me to get closer with my coworkers—I was able to develop a musical relationship with my coworker who learned my original song and accompanied me on guitar, as well as getting to know those who performed better through their own creative expression. I can see on a deeper level how activities like this in the workplace really help to boost morale and strengthen relationships within the work dynamic, while maintaining a fun and energetic atmosphere.

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Devin Wojtanek: Thoughts on SXSW

Berklee Blogs introduces Devin Wojtanek, a Music Business major and spring intern, as he begins his internship with Indie Ambassador, the team behind presskit.to, a portfolio web app designed to enhance communication within the professional music & entertainment industries. In today’s blog, Devin tells us about an exciting new project and his thoughts on SXSW”.

Indie Ambassador was super involved in this year’s SXSW. I unfortunately have never been able to make my way down to the lone star state to partake in the giant music fest. By virtue though, I really felt like I was involved in something bigger than myself these past couple weeks. It makes me yearn to be there in person one day, possibly playing the Berklee Showcase, working with some company, or of course, just being there for the music. 

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