On Nov. 14, 18 media studies and production students on the audio and music business track visited Rock Lititz campus, a production community that brings together industry leaders in the live events industry, for their inaugural Live Events Exploration Career Day. Along with students from 25 other schools, Klein College of Media and Communication students were introduced to representatives from the community’s companies such as Yamaha and Clair Global and learned about various paths to success in the industry. Hosted by the Live Events Association of Pennsylvania (LEAoP), of which Temple University is a founding member, the students attended the networking and training event free of charge.
Live events curriculum is in the works for Klein College students and LEAoP has played a major part in helping to develop the program. Temple became a part of the association due to its faculty and staff members’ close ties to companies in the industry. Jack Klotz, associate professor of practice and director of the recording industry concentration at Klein College, attended the career day with the students and believes that live events education is the way forward. Klotz has been a studio recording professional for decades, and he recognizes that the audio and music industries are changing to accommodate different needs among audiences.
“One of the things [audiences] value as it pertains to our product is experience over ownership,” says Klotz. “This is why streaming has become much more popular than downloading, legal or illegal. People want to have the experience of listening to the art, they want to have the experience of seeing concerts, they want to experience the performances.”
Additionally, live events are not limited to the music industry, which is a little-discussed avenue that students could choose in their careers. Corporate conferences and gatherings have proven lucrative to live event industry professionals.
“Those kinds of events can look like rock concerts,” says Klotz.
Meredith Tracey, a senior media studies and production student who attended the career day, was especially appreciative of the of the panelists’ points of view. One who stuck out to her was Nicole Massey, singer Billie Eilish’s production manager, who gave an account of her journey through the music business industry.
“The panelists in general were really helpful—hearing their industry experience and their tips on how to interview—but specifically hearing stories from people like Nicole Massey who have experience doing exactly what I want to do,” Tracey says.
Justin Procope, a media studies and production and political science double major, was inspired to try out different ways to explore the world of live events. He advises students who are interested in the audio and music business to look for other opportunities.
“Stay open-minded with the industry,” Procope says. “I learned going there [that there is] so, so much that goes into the music industry. And you can start out someplace that you might not think is the place for you, but it’ll take you somewhere that you wouldn’t have even thought of before.”
LEAoP plans for the Live Event Career Exploration Day to be an annual event on the Rock Lititz campus. Klein College students had a successful experience, with several students receiving internship and job interview offers from the presenting companies and career tips from the panelists and other professionals. Klotz hopes that the Rock Lititz community helps students understand the many pieces that make up a successful live event.
“The collaborative spirit that exists on that campus is very inspirational and motivating. Every time I visit there I come away fired up and ready to work more and do more and I heard from several students that they feel the same way.”