Hi everyone,

Long time lurker here. My name is Paul Beauchamp, I'm 19 from Beccles,
Suffolk (South East UK), currently studying BA Music Technology at De
Montfort university, Leicester.

This summer I've been blessed with an opportunity from Steve Weinstein to
allow me to further my studies at Jah Freedom recording in Negril, Jamaica.
Not only is this a great way to get a lovely tan, but I understand how this
is going to help me career wise in earning a place in the
Production/Engineering game.

Anyway, I'm here (Leicester) for three years and this is what I shall be
doing for the first summer break. I've never really had the oppertunity to
travel much so am very much looking forward to it.
It occurred to me that after university I will (hopefully) be employed, and
that 'summer break' will actually be a thing of the past.
One thing I've learnt from reading this board is that to get into the
industry, obviously you have to be good, but the other thing you need is
experience. So.. what if I spent the next three summer breaks travelling
round the world, working at different studios.. I'm sure that would look
very good from an employer's perspective.

Next summer is only 16 months away, so I thought now would be a good time to
start looking.

I was lucky enough to find Steve Weinstein and learn of the internship
through this very board. Something tell's me that these sorts of
oppertunities don't usually fall into one's lap!

So go tell your boss theres a 19 year old english kid who wants to come and
work for free! .... (Joke!)

But seriously, where can I get my 'foot in the door', so to speak? Does
anyone here know of any studio's who run internships for students like me?

I understand that this is going to be unpaid work, I can learn a great deal
from a proper studio and the people who work there, probably alot more than
any paid for education.
Whats in it for you is that you don't have to get up when you want a cup of
tea! (or coffee if you're not British..)

Any thoughts?

Regards

Paul Beauchamp

one comment from experience . . .

America is a MUCH easier place to get started professionally than UK.
In America, anything like skills, talent, enthusiasm, whatever, is
usually given a chance to have a go and see if they're any good, in the
UK this is much more challenging.

A typical example . . . a friend of mine worked for 10 years in the UK
doing whatever work he could, free or low pay or whatever, including
setting up his own studio and recording etc etc. He had lots of talent
and experience, but never really got any oppertunities from that in 10
years in the UK. Then he went to the US and within 3 weeks was given a
chance to do a session in a top 24-track studio, which he did very
well, and was offered a job then and there!

One way to get into the US is to finish your Masters Degree there, then
they let you apply for a Work Permit (in the second year of a Masters,
it used to be).

Chris