When it comes to the big LC and JC exams, there are a few dead “certs”.
The first is that the exam timetable will inevitably always coincide with a fortnight of record-breaking sunshine (tick).
The second is that everyone reaches peak obsession with what it is that you “are going to do”.
So, for the week that’s in it, we’re asking our favourite ladies what they do to make ends meet so that they can pass on some career inspo to take our minds off Maths Paper 2 and the tan we’re not getting.
Meet Aoife Concannon …
My official title is …
Creative Producer & Marketing Manager with Improvised Music Company.
That means that I …
… work closely with the Artistic Director developing ideas, programming and marketing concerts, festivals and artist-focused projects which help to promote jazz, experimental and world music, and musicians in Ireland. www.improvisedmusic.ie
The three best things about my job that make me jump out of bed in the morning are …
Lots of great new music all the time.
The opportunity to make my event or project ideas come to life.
Meeting and working with lots of interesting people – other colleagues, event crew and artists from all around Ireland and all around the world.
The three not-so-great things about my job that make me roll over and bury my head in my pillow are …
90% of my job is at a desk emailing and online etc, as this is unavoidable in the modern world if you want to organise anything!
Sometimes it is hard to promote a style of music that is not so popular, or trying to get people to give it a shot and come out to an event.
Can’t really think of a third thing!
I bagged this job by …
Freelancing and volunteering to get experience and meet lots of people – the Irish music and arts world is pretty small so this is the best way to get work. Approaching senior people who worked in this area and asking them for advice (and to recommend me if they hear of any suitable roles). In college I was very involved in the Music and Drama societies where I had my first experiences of coordinating events.
The best advice I could give someone who likes the sound of my job is …
Go for it – you will learn with every new experience. If you want to put on a gig, or event you can do it. It could be a small fundraiser or a regular night for students, but just give it a shot. There are lots of festivals and organisations looking for volunteers all the time, and its a great way to learn and meet people who might be your colleagues in the future. Let them know that you are serious about working in this area and want some extra responsibility so that you learn and get involved as much as possible. Do an internship with a festival or arts organisation – hands-on experience is invaluable in this industry.
Go to stuff! Getting out and about and attending gigs, festivals, events is a great way to get a feel for what is happening locally and learn from attending events and seeing what works, and what doesn’t, what artists are worth following, which promoters are doing interesting and creative programming and promotion, and who and where you might like to work for in the future (so you can ask for that internship or work experience)!
Here’s Aoife working at 12 Points festival in San Sebastián …
Aoife can also do this …
And this …
And here she is looking into the middle distance whilst being creative …
Thanks Aoife! xxx
