Successful Intern Profile: Katey Power

Katey Power moved from her hometown Perth to come to Melbourne and continue interning for Universal Music Australia, one of the largest music labels in the world.

“As a record label, the Company can deal with any aspect of an artists’ career, but the PR department focuses on securing publicity, promoting radio play, measuring the profile of an artists’ fan base and ultimately exposing an artist’s talent to the media,” says Katey.

The 21-year-old has just completed her Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication, double major Public relations and Journalism) at Curtin University in Western Australia. Katey had to complete her final unit via correspondence to be able to move to Melbourne and continue to intern with Universal.

Throughout her degree, Katey has interned with a few local Government organizations and also a small publication based in Perth. Katey applied for her position as Promotional and Sales Intern at Universal after browsing their website.

“I actually lost out the first time I applied, but the HR lady remembered me so she gave me a shot the next time around,” says Katey.

When Katey first started interning with Universal in Perth, the WA Promotional and Sales Manager manned the office by himself.

“Honestly I had no idea about the inner workings of a record label, but each day was a steep learning curve. No one realizes how much work goes into securing music to radio, and the effort in locking in press,” says Katey.

Katey says she preferred the PR side of her internship more as she sees herself working within that part of the media industry.

Her duties at Universal included finding weekly press clippings from online and print, lodging radio adds, listening to new music singles, compiling media presenters, sending out POS posters to major clients and helping with anything else staff needed.

“It’s always really fun and friendly, but there’s no denying everyone works hard. Stress levels can rise and everyone puts their head down, but you’ll always hear music blasting throughout the office and a little karaoke on a Friday afternoon,” says Katey.

Moving from Perth to Melbourne proved at first difficult as Katey had to juggle paying rent, putting together her thesis, working as a barista and interning with Universal. Katey says her life ‘went out the window’ but knew that her hard work would pay off.

“I think prospective employers would look at my resume and hopefully realize that I’ve stayed with Universal for over a year, and it’s not a easy position to keep,” says Katey.

Katey has loved her internship with Universal, working behind the scenes with big music acts and exposing them to media. She also says that her internship has made her unafraid to have an opinion and has become more confident in her skills and abilities.

Katey admits it was a long shot applying for a PR Account Manager position at Ellis-Jones on job website seek. However Katey was immediately called the next day for an interview.

“Although it was for an Account Manager position, she was very impressed with my perseverance, because interning at Universal for over a year, in her eyes showed a lot of dedication and willingness to learn,” says Katey.

“Ellis-Jones, receives over 100 soon-to-be graduate applications [and] inquiries a month, and mine was the first one that she took seriously because I had done a couple of internships throughout my degree and had confidence to apply for something that could seem out of reach.”

As of today, Katey will be handling the PR for Sotheby’s Australia an Auction House and Slow Magazine a lifestyle publication based in Victoria.

It seems that Katey’s passion for PR, food and fashion will combine in her new job as PR Account Manager for Ellis-Jones. Katey cannot speak highly enough of her co-workers and her experience at Universal Music Australia.

“I can’t say that my application would have stood out if I hadn’t taken the time to intern and while I might not have reaped the benefits or even seen them while I was knee deep in 200kgs of mail each week, I can’t emphasis enough how much it has engrained the whole, earning your keep thing,” says Katey.

My Interning Life is thrilled for Katey and wishes her all the best at her new job.

Katey’s final piece of advice for students…

“Get. On. It. I would never have the career prospects that I do now without interning. Aside from gaining invaluable practical experience, you develop relationships with your coworkers and a reputation for your work, all before graduating.”