From Meredith to Music City

Written by Stephanie Farmer, Fall 2008

 

              As a senior Marketing major at Meredith, I look back on all of the wonderful opportunities that Meredith has afforded me and feel glad that I chose to attend Meredith and major in Business. 

              When I was a freshman at Meredith, I was anxious to begin a Physical Therapy major. After taking many biology and exercise science courses, I began to question if that was the career path meant for me.  I decided to take a marketing course so that I would have some knowledge in the business field.  After just two days of class, I realized that Marketing was the field for me. I quickly declared Marketing as my major. I began to explore many options in the business world, and my passion for country music led me to the music industry. I knew that I wanted an internship in Nashville with a major record label and a career there after graduation.

              With the help of Kristy Eubanks, Internship Director in the Business School, I began to look for connections in Nashville during September of my junior year.   I knew this task would not be easy, since internships in the music industry are in such high demand.  But I did not let the slamming doors hold me back.   Over the Christmas break, I put together resumes and cover letters and mailed them to every major record label in Nashville, including Universal Music Group, which was my dream job and the one that seemed to be the “most out of reach.” Even though this job seemed unattainable, my internship director and professors encouraged me to apply.  After a few very stressful weeks of waiting, I received an email from the Marketing Department at Universal.  They were interested!  Later that week I had a telephone interview and then I was offered an internship in the Marketing Department.  “Could this really be happening?” I thought.

              Two weeks after classes ended at Meredith, I packed all of my belongings and headed to Nashville.  The first day of work was like a dream.  As the elevator doors opened and that legendary Universal logo appeared, chills went throughout my body. The rest of my internship was just as magical. I worked on many fun and interesting projects, one of which was a promotion for George Strait’s Christmas album. I was in charge of contacting clients, designing promotional items, and carrying out all aspects of this promotion. While at UMG I also was able to write for the website and the company magazine, help with weekly sales reports, and work on submitting Grammy eligibility for our artists. Working at Universal was a wonderful learning experience.  I left Nashville with newfound knowledge and confirmation that I truly belong in the music industry.

              Meredith College has empowered me with the belief that I can accomplish anything I really want. The professors in the School of Business assisted me tremendously in my search for an internship by reviewing my resume and helping me write a cover letter. Their unwavering support has given me a tremendous amount of confidence to go out into the world and be successful.  Because of my Meredith education, I feel that I am ready to go back to Nashville and take the music industry by storm.

 

 

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