Inside Sony Music
- SMG Impact Fellows Mix Tape Series: Jocelyn’s Remix
- Oct 04, 2021
This article is written by Jocelyn Peña and is part of the SMG Impact Fellows Mix Tape Series, a collection of first-person essays written by the inaugural cohort of Sony Music Group Impact Fellows. Read more about the SMG Impact Fellows Program here.
How would you describe your internship experience, using a song from a Sony Music artist?
“I replayed this moment for months/ Alone in my head, waitin’ for it to come”. These lyrics from Camila Cabello’s song “Don’t Go Yet” express how I felt as a Sony Music Intern. I have waited for a moment to intern in the music industry since I was young. As a strong-willed creative with a passion for music, I found my way to Sony Music Entertainment this summer via the MAIP program.
What are you studying now and how is it tied to your internship at Sony Music?
I am currently a rising senior studying advertising at the University of Georgia. MAIP is a talent development program that gives talented and diverse entry-level students opportunities in a multitude of industries, including advertising, public relations, and now, music. I was in my finance class when I got a call from Amber Vidals, Senior Associate of The Multicultural Advertising Internship Program (MAIP). When she mentioned that Sony Music Entertainment extended an offer, I put her on mute and screamed. The stars were beginning to align for me. I mentioned to my professor earlier in the semester that I wanted to work in the music industry and that it was where I saw myself in the future. Getting that call motivated me to be my best self and go all in. Sony Music and MAIP have given me an amazing opportunity to pursue my passion, develop my skills, and network with professionals and like-minded peers.
What professional development opportunities did you enjoy/experience at Sony Music Group?
Everyone that works at Sony Music has a passion for what they do, and they are willing to mentor their interns. Sony Music offers many workshops where employees in the company, come to share their experiences and give the interns advice. Having the opportunity to network with people that I look up to has been surreal. During the Sony Music internship experience, you get to meet people from all over the company, in addition to teammates in your department and location.
What are you most proud of accomplishing during your internship?
One of my greatest accomplishments is successfully helping with several tasks for my supervisor while he took a well-deserved vacation. I helped review daily airplay and consumption reports with promotion staff and artist managers, that included activity statistics from various platforms; as well as updating artist calendars for travel and logistics. Personally, that task was a big deal because I had earned my supervisor’s trust in just a few short weeks. My attention to detail and confidence strengthened and I was able to grow as a professional during that experience. It was an honor to have him trust me with these responsibilities.
How has your MAIP Fellowship enhanced your Sony Music experience?
Aside from working at Sony Music, MAIP Fellows attend weekly labs where we receive additional training, mentorship and hear from guest speakers at different agencies and companies such as Google, Amazon, Dentsu, and other large organizations. You are also assigned two additional summer projects. I had the pleasure of working with David & Goliath Agency for Jollibee, and Adam & Eve Agency for IZZE as their PR strategist. MAIP is always rooting for you, your MAIP coach, your group partners and everyone in the MAIP class.
As I spent my summer interning at Sony Music and MAIP, I think back to my younger self and I know she would be proud — proud of all the sacrifices she made when she would stay after school while her friends went out, proud of the time she took her chemistry packet to a concert to study while singing her lungs out and lastly, proud of being able to tell her immigrant parents she is climbing up the ladder. Thank you, Sony Music and thank you MAIP for paving the way for more opportunities in the music industry.
Last but not least, what’s songs are currently in your rotation and on repeat?
- “Imagine” – Doja Cat
- “Top Off (Homecoming Live)” – Beyonce
- “Todo De Ti” – Rauw Alejandro
- “Go Crazy” – Chris Brown
- “Come Through” – H.E.R. & Chris Brown
