Getting a master's degree from Berklee College of Music pushes you towards the next big step in your career, and the International Career Center (ICC) is one of the resources you have to help get you there.
The mission of the ICC is to provide expert guidance, cutting-edge resources, and professional development experiences to help our diverse body of students achieve their career goals. Rather than acting as a one-time job link, our overall focus is on career management. We help you access available resources and activities and apply them to your career path.
See What the ICC Offers
Possible Career Paths
Getting a master's degree in contemporary performance opens you to a world of possibilities in the music industry and beyond. After graduating, many students work as performing artists, session musicians, songwriters, and some discover additional opportunities in teaching, sound design, production, etc.
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Backing Vocalist, Session Singer, Studio Singer
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Ensemble Leader
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Organist/Accompanist, Praise & Worship Band Member
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Dance Band Musician, Party Band Musician, Wedding Band Musician, Function Band Musician, Tribute Band Musician
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Cruise Ship Entertainer
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Freelance Musician, Show Band, Floor Band, Function Band
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Musical Director
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Pit Orchestra Member, Pit Musician, Theater Musician
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Private Lesson Teacher, Studio Teacher
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Artistic Director, Department Head, Department Coordinator, District Supervisor of Music, Music Director, Director of Music, Head of Performing Arts
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Session Player, Studio Musician, Session Instrumentalist, Backing Musician
See Careers in Music
Industry Events and Conferences (Optional)
Succeeding in the music industry is all about building your professional network and making connections with the right people. Students are encouraged to take advantage of their time in Europe to attend or participate in the many music and performance-related events held in Spain and Europe. All event participation and attendance is optional and students make all the arrangements to attend on their own. In some cases, students may be able to access special offers and student discounts through Berklee.
These are the events that we recommend for contemporary performance students.
ADE (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
"Amsterdam Dance Event is a combination conference and club music festival centered around the many subgenres inside of the Electronic Dance Music scene from around the world. ADE's multiple conference tracks offer the ultimate annual business and inspiration platform in the field of electronic music, featuring dedicated programming for business professionals, start-ups, aspiring producers and musicians, students, VJs, visual artists and stage designers. In 2016 the conference welcomed 550 speakers and 7000 delegates."
WOMEX (Alternating European Countries)
WOMEX is an international networking platform for the world music industry. The annual five-day event comprises a bustling Trade Fair, Showcase Festival, Conference, and Film programme, as well as festive Opening and Award ceremonies.
Loop (Berlin, Germany)
"Loop is three days of discussions, performances, presentations, studio sessions, installations and interactive workshops aimed at exchanging ideas at the cutting edge of music, technology and creative practice. Bringing together artists, technologists, educators and other creative thinkers, Loop is a collective exploration of what it is to make music today and what it could be tomorrow."
12 Points Festival (Alternating European Cities)
"12 Points showcases young, creative and ambitious artists in jazz and related music from all points on the continent. Our mission is to assist and promote these emerging artists, bringing their music to new audiences."
Musikmesse (Frankfurt, Germany)
"Musikmesse in Frankfurt am Main is the world’s most important fair for musical instruments, sheet music, music production and marketing."
The Great Escape UK (Brighton, UK)
"The Great Escape (TGE) is a new music festival that showcases emerging artists from all over the world. Over 400 up and coming bands play in 35 Brighton venues, accessible on one wristband. It’s the first place to discover your new favorite band and see them in an intimate setting before they go on to headline major festival stages."
See All Industry Events
Internship (Optional)
Berklee College of Music’s optional graduate internship program supports Berklee master’s students who seek to integrate academic and professional experience after completing the coursework and culminating experience projects required in their specific master’s program. This program will take place during an additional semester, following the completion of all course work, and students will be charged a part-time comprehensive fee. Note that students are responsible for securing their own internships and for securing all appropriate and required visa statuses.
