CEO Of A Small Company Involved In The Arts
Career review from a person working in the job
How I Got The Job
My Education: Lebanon Valley College BA in Music Business
My Prior Experience: I started as an intern at a small company, was offered a job, and then five years later proceeded to start my own business
My Job Profile
My Company: My company works with local arts centers.
Job/Career Overview: Three of my key responsibilities are time management, professionalism, and innovation. Time management is key in the arts and entertainment industry, as regular business hours rarely matter. Business is conducted at all hours of the night and day, so I have to be able to pace myself and schedule things in a way that allows time for everyone.
It is common to encounter people who are less than professional in their business ethics and communications, so it is sometimes difficult to maintain a level of professionalism back. It is important to remember that just because someone else is not acting professionally does not mean that I should do the same. Maintaining professionalism ensures that my reputation will not suffer.
Innovation is an important responsibility as a small business owner, especially when working in the arts. It is necessary to constantly innovate to help make money, save money, create opportunities, and take advantage of those opportunities.
Love It? Hate It?
I rate this career 9 out of 10.
What I Love or Hate
The best part of my career is that I am able to control my own hours and choose who I work with. I have no boss telling me how to behave or what to do, and am able to do what I think is best for my company.
The worst part of my career is that there are no set working hours. Some nights I wish that I had a normal 9 to 5 job so that I could just shut off my computer and turn off my cell phone once I'm out of work.
My Career Tips
Take as many courses as possibly about business law, copyrights, small business management, and entrepreneurship. These classes may seem like a pain while you are in college, but the foundation of knowledge that you will build during those classes will help you invaluably in the future.
Make sure you network as much as possible. In the arts it is just as much about who you know as what you know. If you have good references or good contacts in the industry, you increase your odds of success exponentially.
