KSU program prepares students for music and entertainment field

By Laura Raines

For ajcjobs

Georgia’s entertainment industry saw a record investment of more than $689 million in 2011, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The state’s 327 productions had an economic impact of more than $2.4 billion.

Thanks to a unique certificate program at Kennesaw State University, students are gaining the knowledge and skills to work in that growing industry. The Joel A. Katz Music and Entertainment Business certificate program is open to rising juniors from music, business or any other major. To apply for the 24-credit program, students are required to have a GPA of at least 2.8.

The program is open only to Kennesaw undergraduates, but it soon may be expanded to a broader audience.

“We’ve gotten so much interest in this program from people outside the university that we’re working on a post-baccalaureate version that would be open to graduates from other universities,” said Keith Perissi, associate director of the program.

A joint venture of Kennesaw’s College of the Arts and the Coles College of Business, the program is designed to give students a first-hand look at the music and entertainment industry.

“Similar programs ask people to audition, but we didn’t want to limit our program to musicians, because 85 percent of the careers in this industry are nonperforming,” Perissi said.

Students take courses in financial accounting, marketing, management and music theory, as well as three capstone courses: fundamentals of the music and entertainment business; emerging trends in the music and entertainment business; and current topics in the music and entertainment industry.

“In each of the capstone courses, our students will complete externships with real [musicians and] companies, like Zac Brown, Live Nation, the Gospel Music Channel and others, in order to gain real-world experience,” Perissi said.

The program also brings celebrities and music industry leaders to campus for lectures and panel discussions. Recently, Turner Entertainment president Steve Koonin spoke about the behind-the-scenes strategy of TBS and TNT. John Sparrow from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra gave students an insider’s view of working for a world-renowned orchestra.

“Our students have the opportunity to network with industry leaders before they even graduate,” Perissi said. “Atlanta is the land of opportunity when it comes to music and entertainment, and you can’t start too early in learning how to research, network, get real experience and build a résumé.”

Students learn how to budget for a music video, negotiate a contract and plan an event. They also get to see how a recording studio works.

“They have a chance to prove themselves through externships and internships because there are so many places for them to gain experience right here in Atlanta. The industry has welcomed our students with open arms,” Perissi said.

Graduates find entry-level jobs as event planners, booking agents, film and TV editors, marketing and public relations specialists, and more.

Tuition for Kennesaw State is $2,367 per semester for full-time, in-state students. For information, call 678-797-2875 or go to www.kennesaw.edu/mebus.

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