Inside the Music Business: Creative Industries student gains hands-on insights
For Creative Industries student Avery Hickman, an internship at Anthem Entertainment (external link) offered an immersive introduction to the Canadian music industry. Through a rotating internship program, she worked across multiple departments, collaborated closely with industry professionals, and gained a holistic view of music publishing and operations. Read on to learn how this experience shaped her career goals and reinforced the value of hands-on learning.
Photo courtesy of Brody White.
Can you tell us about your time at Anthem Entertainment?
Avery: I had an incredible time at Anthem Entertainment, and it was the most enjoyable work experience I’ve ever had. It was part-time and fully in person, and we worked in a group of six interns. Having a cohort really helped with the nerves of starting in a new workplace.
We rotated through six departments every three weeks, including legal, licensing and synchronization, finance, royalties, administration, and the record label. It exposed me to areas of the music industry I hadn’t spent much time in before. I ended up loving licensing and synchronization, which I never would have considered as a career path.
The company culture was incredible. It was the first time Anthem had run this internship program, and we were immediately welcomed. They really prioritized learning, which was important for my first job in the music industry. We had weekly meetings with the company executives, where I could ask questions about parts of the industry I was not even working in. I couldn’t have asked for a more holistic view.
How did your time in Creative Industries shape your internship experience?
Avery: I have known I wanted to be in this program since I was about 16. I really love Creative Industries, and I felt genuinely prepared for the job. The variety of courses we take, not just music courses, came up constantly during my internship.
In meetings at Anthem, a lot of what was being discussed felt familiar because of what I learned in Creative Industries. We get such a well-rounded view, from finance and Excel skills to marketing, sales, and learning how to conduct yourself professionally. Every course I took in my four years showed up in some way during the internship.
It is also a niche program in a niche industry. The Canadian music industry is small, and the program has a strong reputation. So many people told me they wished it existed when they were in school. I feel really proud and lucky to be part of it.
What has been the most rewarding part of your internship?
Avery: The relationships. I built strong connections with people my age who also want to go into this industry, and we still talk all the time. Creative Industries helped me expand my network, but Anthem really helped me solidify it.
I now have people I can talk to about navigating the industry and navigating it as a woman, which was something I was looking for going into the internship. That sense of community was incredibly meaningful.
What advice would you give Creative Industries students who want to excel in their careers?
Avery: University can sometimes feel like you are just trying to get through it, but really take in what you are learning. Even first-year courses like CRI 200 come up constantly in my work.
Take advantage of networking opportunities, especially in music. Go to industry nights, even if it feels scary. Go to roundtables, talk to faculty, use the Career Centre, and send in your resume. Take advantage of everything the program offers. I am really going to miss all of it.
