When employers look at the résumés of MBI graduates, they see a high level of student involvement and hands-on experience.
Shortly before he graduated, Jordan Racine landed a position as a booking assistant at the Los Angeles company where he now works — and was promoted twice in his first two years. With the skills he developed and the real-world experience he gained on the Lyndon campus, it’s no surprise.
“That’s a career highlight for sure, getting a job right out of college,” said Jordan, who earned a bachelor’s degree in music business and industry (MBI) with concentrations in business and management.
Jordan pursued hands-on opportunities on and off campus that helped him start his career successfully, from interning with James Taylor and his band to working as manager and producer for GreggFest, the biggest annual music event on the Lyndon campus.
A Focus on Hands-On Learning
Jordan was impressed with the MBI program from the first time he visited campus and met with Professor Joe Gittleman (founder of and bass player with The Mighty Mighty Bosstones).
“One thing that drew me to Lyndon was that although it was small, everybody was like a big family. In the MBI program, there was a comradery about it that I liked,” said Jordan, who also earned a marketing minor and an associate degree in business .
“I had the opportunity to be involved with projects and learn in more of a hands-on environment rather than just reading and learning from textbooks. We were able to explore our careers and professional aspirations through a hands-on approach, and that was valuable,” Jordan said.
Building Skills Working With James Taylor
In Jordan’s sophomore year, his advisor and professor, Joe Gittleman, encouraged him to apply for an internship with James Taylor, a five-time Grammy Award winner. Lyndon graduate Aaron Gingras, who then had been working as a production assistant for the singer-songwriter, contacted the MBI program about applications. “I didn’t have the confidence in myself at that point, and I didn’t think I was ready to do something like that, but Professor Gittleman encouraged me,” Jordan said. “Knowing that my professor was supportive and confident in my abilities went a long way toward getting me to think about what else I could be successful with and accomplish.”
During the internship, Jordan and two other students helped with production tasks while the singer and his band recorded the album “Before This World” at his home studio. “We really gained insight as to how the recording process works and what it’s like to help put a project like that together,” he said.
The following summer, Jordan worked for James’s production team at private events, a fundraiser, and on tour. “I learned what it’s like to be on tour, to be in and out of different cities and venues every day,” Jordan said. Working with venue and promoter representatives, he also developed an understanding of venue and live-event operations. Those experiences help him in his current position as booking and operations manager at Venue Coalition, which books shows for over seventy arena venues in North America.
GreggFest Provides Opportunities for Leadership, Teamwork
On-campus opportunities also prepared Jordan with skills he could take into his career. Jordan’s favorite college memories involve GreggFest, a two-day musical event. The festival, held in memory of MBI student Jake Gregg, supports MBI scholarships.
Students pursuing different MBI concentrations collaborate to run GreggFest. Through planning the event, Jordan learned how to book bands, sell tickets, and execute the event.
The second year MEISA coordinated GreggFest, students also organized the GreggFest Kickoff Party to promote the festival. The sold-out show set a record for the largest concert attendance at the Parker Pie Co. in West Glover. “That was a lesson in getting a venue set up, bringing in the production elements, and marketing and executing a show as an actual concert promoter,” Jordan said. “It was one of the most successful shows we had ever done.”
NVU Résumés Help Students, Alumni Stand Out to Employers
Whether it’s booking bands; promoting a show; running sound, lights, and production; or other work at live events, “When employers look at resumes of people who have graduated from Lyndon’s MBI program, they see a high level of student involvement,” Jordan said.
