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
May 1, 2026 - June 18, 2026
This Spring 2026, Girls Who Listen will host an 8-week mentorship masterclass series designed to give young women the knowledge, tools, and access needed to navigate the music industry. Over the course of the program, participants will explore six key roles across the industry, with each session led by a featured mentor sharing insight into their area of expertise. From day-to-day responsibilities and key terminology to the skills required to succeed, each session is designed to give a clear, behind-the-scenes understanding of how these roles actually work. The program also includes dedicated time for peer networking and a mid-program check-in or guest conversation, 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 every Thursday at 4PM PT / 7PM ET (1 hour and 15 minutes) from May 1, 2026 – June 18, 2026. All sessions will be recorded and shared with participants who are unable to attend live.
Deadline to Apply: Monday, April 20, 2026 (11:59PM ET)
Ready to launch your music industry career? Apply now.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Over the course of the program, participants will engage in six masterclass sessions and career development conversations led by music industry professionals. Each session takes place live every Thursday at 4 PM PT / 7 PM ET and is designed to feel interactive and engaging — with the first 50 minutes focused on guided insight from the featured mentor, followed by 25 minutes of open networking and breakout conversations.
During this time, participants can move freely between rooms to connect with one another, ask questions, and engage directly with the mentor. All sessions are recorded and made available for those unable to attend live.
Masterclass Sessions Include:
- Inside A&R: Finding, Signing, and Developing Talent
- Life on the Road: Tour & Road Management
- Building the Rollout: Music Marketing & Strategy
- Shaping the Narrative: PR, Media & Communications
- Digital First: Marketing in the Streaming Era
- The Business Behind the Music: Legal & Deals
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.
- Expand your network with relationships that support your long-term growth.
MENTORSHIP REQUIREMENTS
- Attend all scheduled masterclass sessions and workshops.
- Actively engage during sessions by participating in discussions and networking opportunities.
- Keep your camera on during sessions to help foster community and connection.
- Participate in group chats, meetups, and program discussions.
ELIGIBILITY
- Must have a strong interest in the music business and plan to pursue a career as an industry professional. This program is not intended for producers songwriters, engineers, artists, or similar paths).
- Open to college seniors in their final semester/year and recent graduates.
- Must be able to commit to the full duration of the program.
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 due of $60. This contribution helps cover program resources, exclusive workshop opportunities, and community-building experiences. Our goal is to provide fellows with meaningful mentorship, hands-on industry exposure, and valuable networking opportunities.
FAQs
- Duration – 8 Weeks (six industry focused sessions and two networking sessions)
- Cohort Size – 30
- Location – Open to applicants nationwide, with a focus on major music hubs (NYC, LA, NASH, ATL)
- Application Launch Date – April 13, 2026
- Application Deadline – April 20, 2026
- Application Review Period – April 21, 2026
- Applicants Hear Back – April 21 – April 24, 2026
- Program Dates – May 1 – June 18, 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.
