There are a lot of reasons why working at a music festival is a good idea, and only one of them involves getting into the concert for free. Check out why working at a festival this summer is a great way to get ahead in your events jobs career and why it's more than worth working for free.
Summer music festivals are put on all over the globe especially between May and September. Some of the larger events include Bonnaroo, Coachella, and the Glastonbury Music Festival. The calendar is extensive.
1. Concert Event Access
Some of the best ways to find work at a music festival is through volunteering. Sure, getting paid for the hours you're at the festival is more appealing than working for free, but finding paid positions with minimal work experience can be difficult. Music festivals however, almost always need volunteers. Even though event volunteers might not get the coolest jobs like putting up the stage or helping the band, the jobs volunteers do perform are important for the success of the festival. Of course, the biggest perk of all is that by working a shift as a volunteer, you gain free access to the concert. What could be better then seeing your favorite bands for free? Although most event planning companies require volunteers to work a shift in order to see the show, for some of the bigger festivals, there is more than enough time to complete your shift and still enjoy the concert. Become a volunteer and gain free access to your favorite summer concerts!
2. Volunteer Hours
The second best reason to volunteer at a music festival is the volunteer hours. Volunteer hours look excellent on any resume and can often be the selling point behind college and graduate school applications. Volunteer hours show potential schools and employers that you're serious about working in events jobs and that you've already had valuable experience. Working as a volunteer can easily take the place of work experience on a resume and is a great place to start any events job career path.
3. Experience and Knowledge
Although we've hinted at it before, working as a volunteer provides you with valuable experience in the events job industry. When you're applying for an entry-level job consider how you will look against someone who has never volunteered for an event. As an applicant you already understand how live events work, where problems arise and have direct experience and knowledge in dealing with those problems. As someone applying for a job, having volunteer hours on your resume shows dedication, experience and knowledge in the career path you're working towards.
4. An Insider Look
If you're not sure about working in the music festival or concert industry, try volunteering first. By acting as a volunteer you will get a first hand look at what working at a music festival is like and it acts as a valuable way to test whether or not you will like working an events job. The time and experience behind volunteering at a music festival not only makes you more appealing when you apply, but gives you an insider's look at what working in the music festival industry is really like.
5. Networking
It doesn't happen all the time, but on occasion volunteers will be asked to take on a roll that involves more responsibility. This often involves working directly with events coordinators, event managers, bands, talent buyers and agents. Regardless of what happens during your time as a volunteer you will be in and around the people who are already getting paid to work in the industry. It will be your time to shine and and excellent way to build up relationships and references as a volunteer. Sometimes those references can be used to find current or future job openings. Other times, working as a volunteer is also a good way to show people in the industry how dedicated you are to doing a good job while working on an event. Networking is a valuable part of any job and meeting people who are working on a similar event, even as a volunteer, is a good place to start forging relationships.
No comments:
Post a Comment