university
Girls Who Listen University is our dedicated learning hub, designed to give women across our community a real understanding of how the music and entertainment industries work. Through mentorship, structured programs, and career resources, participants gain direct insight into industry roles, build practical skills, and navigate their next steps with clarity.
Programs & Offerings
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
A 6–8 week virtual experience held during the Fall and Spring seasons. Each masterclass explores real roles across the music and entertainment industries, giving participants direct access to professionals and insights that expand their knowledge
FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
A selective summer program for graduating college seniors and early-career professionals pivoting into the entertainment industry. Participants engage in hands-on career development through office visits, meetings with hiring managers, resume support, and in-person experiences.
VIRTUAL OFFICE VISITS & OFFICE VISITS
Monthly virtual sessions and quarterly in-person visits with music and entertainment companies. Small group access to executives for direct insight, Q&A, and relationship building.
COFFEE CHATS
Intimate, in-person conversations at local coffee shops in NYC and LA, with industry professionals. Focused on creating real dialogue, visibility, and connection.
RESOURCES
Your go-to hub for career tools, templates, webinars, and job listings.
office hours
Los Angeles – Sony Music Publishing Office Hours
The conversation featured Rachel Freed (Executive Assistant to the Chairman & CEO), Melissa Yermes (Senior Director, Business and Legal Affairs), and Alison O’Donnell (Vice President, Creative Marketing – Film & Television), giving participants insider perspectives on career paths and real-world industry experiences.
New York City – Sony Music Publishing Office Hours
Attendees had the opportunity to connect with Racheal Conte (Vice President, Sample Clearance), Stephanie Caress (Senior Director, A&R Research & Analytics), and Rachel Freed (Executive Assistant to Jon Platt, Chairman & CEO), gaining firsthand insights into the music publishing world and tips for navigating careers in the industry.
Summer Fellowship
In the Summer of 2025, Girls Who Listen launched the #FutureLeadersInMusic Fellowship, a three-month program designed to immerse emerging music industry professionals in real-world experiences. Fellows connected with mentors in their city and participated in in-person meetings, intimate conversations, and lunch-and-learn sessions with executives from top music and tech companies, including Universal Music Group, YouTube Music, Meta, Spotify, and Snapchat. The program combined one-on-one mentorship, career development training, and exclusive industry access to give participants practical insights, expand their professional networks, and build skills that prepare them to thrive in the music and entertainment world.
If your company has the bandwidth to support emerging talent, we’d love to connect.
Community Board
MUSIC MENTORSHIP & MASTERCLASS SERIES
NOVEMBER 12 2026 - DECEMBER 14, 2026
This Fall 2026, Girls Who Listen is launching a 6-week Mentorship Masterclass Series to give young women a 360° view of the music industry while helping them build the practical skills and relationships they need to navigate their careers. Each week will feature women working across the industry, leading each session by sharing insight into their area of expertise. From day-to-day responsibilities and key terminology to the skills required to succeed, mentees will learn directly from professionals about their career journeys and the realities of working in music. The program also includes dedicated time for peer networking, creating space for connection, reflection, and deeper engagement. Each session will conclude with a live Q&A and virtual networking opportunity.
The series will take place virtually via Zoom once a week at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET, with each session lasting 1 hour and 15 minutes, from November 12 through December 14, 2026. All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants who are unable to attend live. All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants who are unable to attend live on zoom.
Deadline to Apply: Saturday, October 24, 2026 (11:59PM ET)
Ready to launch your music industry career? Apply now.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Throughout the program, participants will attend five masterclass sessions led by a Girls Who Listen (GWL) representative and featuring music industry professionals. Each session takes place live once a week at 4 PM PT/ 7PM ET and is designed to be interactive and engaging. Each 75-minute session will include a 45-minute panel-style masterclass featuring guests who will share their insights, experiences, and career advice, followed by 20 minutes of open networking. During the networking session, participants can move freely between Zoom breakout rooms to connect with featured panelists and fellow participants. The final 10 minutes will be reserved for a cohort debrief, allowing participants to reflect on key takeaways and share insights from the session. All masterclass sessions will be recorded and made available to participants.
Workshop Sessions Include:
- Thursday, November 12: Program Kickoff & Guest Introductions
- Thursday, November 19: A&R, Artist Relations & Management
- Monday, November 23: Music Marketing, Content & Digital Strategy
- Thursday, December 3: Brand Partnerships & Experiential Marketing
- Thursday, December 10: Music Supervision & Sync Licensing
- Monday, December 14: Music Business & Legal Affairs
PROGRAM GOALS
- Gain a clear understanding of career paths across the music and entertainment industries.
- Build meaningful connections with industry professionals and like-minded peers.
- Learn how different roles function day-to-day, including key terminology and expectations.
- Develop practical skills and insights you can immediately apply to your career journey.
MENTORSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Attend all scheduled masterclasses. One excused absence is permitted.
- Actively participate in discussions and activities throughout each session.
- Keep your camera on during sessions to foster connection and community.
- Complete the anonymous feedback survey following each session.
ELIGIBILITY
- Must have a strong interest in the music business and intend to pursue a career as a music industry professional. This is not intended for those pursuing careers primarily as artists, producers, songwriters, engineers, or similar creative roles.
- Open to individuals ages 18–34, including current college and university students, recent graduates, and those not currently enrolled in school.
- Open to applicants worldwide. Participants must be able to attend live sessions at the scheduled time of 4PM PT / 7 PM ET.
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Submit Online Application – Include personal details, answer questions, and upload resume.
- Final Selection – Mentee’s will be chosen based on their passion, career goals, and readiness for the program.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAM DUES
Participation in the program requires a one-time membership fee of $65. This contribution helps cover program resources, exclusive masterclass opportunities, and community-building experiences. Our goal is to provide mentees with meaningful mentorship, hands-on industry exposure, and valuable networking opportunities.
FAQs
- Duration – 6 Weeks (Introduction Week + Five masterclass sessions)
- Cohort Size – ~30
- Location – Open to applicants nationwide, with a focus on major music hubs (NYC, LA, NASH, ATL)
- Application Launch Date – Tuesday, October 20, 2026
- Application Deadline – Saturday, October 24, 2026 (11:59PM ET)
- Application Review Period – Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Applicants Hear Back – Monday, October 26, 2026 (Week Of)
- Program Dates – November 12, 2026 – December 14, 2026
- International Applicants – Yes, international applicants can apply.
university rep
The college representative program is for current undergraduate and graduate students with a declared major or minor in Communication Arts and/or Music. This program is built for students seeking work within major record labels, management companies, brands, streaming services, and more. Through project based opportunities, reps will gain hands on experience, learn the importance of networking, and build great relationships with fellow peers and music professionals. Please note that this is an internship, and credit can be provided upon request.
Job Search Academy by Indeed + Girls Who Listen
The Job Search Academy is a free, virtual career development program brought to you by Indeed and Girls Who Listen to help you excel in your job search. The Academy focuses on mastering the 5 key areas of the job search so you feel confident every step of the way–because everyone deserves better work.
