Dylan Bliss ‘24 is getting an insider’s look at the live music industry this summer at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Throughout her internship, she’s provided concert support for top acts like Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish and Tyler, the Creator.
Below, Dylan details what she does day-to-day in her internship, how Pacific’s music industry studies program prepared her for the opportunity, and what advice she would give to future interns hoping to break into the music business.
What I do at my internship
I am interning at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. It is an arena that puts on many different events, like basketball games, concerts, graduations and other live events.
Technically I am in the role of concert support, but I help out anywhere at any time I can. This means that every day in my internship is drastically different. Depending on what event I am working that day, I might be a concert runner or VIP assistant, or wrist-banding general admission concert attendees.
At Golden 1 Center, I have been able to work a bunch of amazing events, including Justin Bieber, Billie Eilish, Tyler the Creator, Eric Church and WWE Live.
How I got this opportunity
My experiences at Pacific definitely prepared me for this opportunity. Being a music industry studies student helped prepare me for being able to hold conversations with music industry professionals. I have been able to ask them specific questions with the correct terms to get more information and knowledge.
Through Pacific, I was able to work the box office at a festival in Napa called BottleRock in 2021. Through that, I met the director of event management at Golden 1 Center and got to talking to her as I was helping her with her tickets. I got her contact information and kept in contact with her, and she offered me the job at Golden 1 Center.
What I’ve learned through this experience
Through this internship, I have learned so many different things. One of the main things is how to be more confident in myself. The music business is full of people who are confident in themselves and their work, and through those people I have learned to do the same.
As a concert runner, I typically get to be in close contact with the people who are in positions that I want to be in later in my career. I’ve met concert promoters, tour managers, and just a lot of cool music industry professionals. By talking to so many different industry professionals, I have been able to learn a lot and take in a lot of information that will help me in the future.
I’ve also learned that the music industry truly is a “who you know” as much as a “what you know” business. As important as it is to have knowledge in the work you do in the industry, once you start gaining connections and talking to people, they refer you for other jobs. I’ve learned to talk to everyone I can!
My advice for future interns
Doing new things is definitely daunting and scary, but it really is worth it in the end. Learning new things and meeting new people is crucial, especially in an industry like the music business.
Want to learn more about what Pacific students are up to this summer? Keep an eye on People of Pacific this summer for more internship diaries!