I'm doing some research for an MBA. I would like something that can help me move into the marketing management side of the music industry.

I realize that this industry tends to be pretty closed-off to new talent. That's why I am looking for schools that have strong ties with the big record labels and proven track records of placement success in the industry. So far I haven't found many programs that have music industry specializations:

1. Henley: MBA for Music and Creative Industries. Seems like one of the only programs with an actual specialization in the music industry. Unfortunately, there are a couple of issues: a) that's it is a new MBA program, and b) that it is in the UK (I'm based in New York and feel like my future is in this city.) Moreover I am not sure that this program has substantial ties to the music industry.

2. Berklee/Southern New Hampshire University: Online MBA in the Music Business. It's Berklee, which is amazing, but SNHU I have not heard about and haven't had much luck in gauging the quality of the school. It's also online and I think that I would rather do an in-class program. I've pretty much decided against this one.

3. NYU Stern: MBA with specialization in Entertainment, Media, and Technology: Great school, top-ranked program. But it has a much broader focus than just the music industry, so I don't know how relevant this would actually be for me. Seems to have ties with big entertainment companies, that's a good sign. I have my doubts to as whether I can get in.

About me: I'm an amateur musician who had a minor Youtube hit a few years ago and found myself in contact with several record labels, and realized that I would rather not have a long-term career in music, since it's so chaotic, but work in the industry itself. I have around 6 years of professional experience, mostly in retail. I have not taken the GMAT yet.

I very much doubt that an MBA is an effective way to make a career move like this. There are MBAs in such roles, but they tend to be people who have already successful careers in the career path they want, and are using the MBA to accelerate the pace. I suggest contacting people in the roles you are seeking and asking how they gor there.

I see. Thanks for the honest feedback. I'll start contacting the people who work marketing in this field, it would be interested to see what types of backgrounds they have.

No, this is not a typical post-MBA career path, but it can happen. NYU Stern would be a great choice, although maybe pursuing one of the school's functional concentrations -- Marketing or Digital Marketing, for instance -- would give you more options after graduation. The school does place in the entertainment industry; some 6 percent of the most recent cohort landed jobs here. Those aren't all record label jobs though.

Other choices would be Los Angeles-based schools: UCLA Anderson or USC Marshall.

Some labels, like Sony BMG, offer MBA internship opportunities. Something like this would help with practical experience and networking opportunities.

Thanks ralph. I'll look into internship opportunities. Not sure about the west coast though, I know that there's a lot of media out there but I can't see myself leaving New York.

Hello - I notice this post is pretty outdated, but I happened to come across it while researching the exact thing you were a while back. I'm also a young professional hoping to get started in the marketing side of the music industry. I have just started to consider an MBA, but after reading this post it looks like making connections may be the best way to go.

@RavenHairMBA - Have you had any luck with your career goals? If so, could you share any tips on how you ultimately got there with someone who's on the same path?

Thanks!

Just do an MBA strong in marketing and try your way in that way. That way, you'd have more options when you graduate, versus if you did something that was specifically designed for the music industry. That would probably be too limiting for most people.