Behind the scenes of Live Entertainment: Creative Industries student brings ideas to life at MLSE
For Creative Industries student Delaney Blake, an internship at Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (external link) (MLSE) meant stepping into the fast-paced world behind live concerts and events. Over the course of four months, she supported marketing efforts, assisted on-site at shows, and learned from a collaborative team of creatives. Read on to explore how this experience influenced her career goals and creative growth.
Can you tell us about your time at MLSE?
Delaney: My time at MLSE was the busiest, most exciting four months. I got the opportunity to create gifts for incredible artists, escort photographers for concerts at Scotiabank Arena and Coca-Cola Coliseum, assist in content creation for our social media channels, and contribute marketing ideas/plans for upcoming shows. I got to learn from the hardest-working team and see what truly goes on in the marketing and entertainment space.
How did your time in Creative Industries shape your internship experience?
Delaney: Being in Creative Industries definitely helped me get my foot in the door for this internship and confirmed that working in the live entertainment space was what I wanted to do. Specializing in the music industry and events modules, taking a variety of courses that all connect to these broader subjects, and getting to know my classmates and industry experts through lectures and networking events helped prepare me for my role and shape my internship experience.
What has been the most rewarding part of your internship?
Delaney: The most rewarding part of my internship was seeing my ideas come to life, learning from my coworkers, and getting to meet new people. There is so much that goes on behind the scenes within the entertainment industry, and getting that hands-on perspective at MLSE is something I will be forever thankful for.
What advice would you share with current Creative Industries students to excel in their careers like you?
Delaney: My biggest piece of advice is to put yourself out there, whether that be joining student clubs like Creative Industries Course Union (CICU) or coffee chatting early on with a variety of industry people. I first joined CICU in my first year and worked my way up from event coordinator to Co-VP Events and now President, and I truly believe that without CICU, I wouldn’t have ended up where I am today.