Jacobs project aid students with careers

The IU Jacobs School of Music is working with music career specialist and author Angela Beeching and the Kelley School of Business’ Johnson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation on a revolutionary student-driven program to assist music students in entrepreneurship and career development.

Beeching, from Boston, is the project leader and is advising students through the
program.

“This whole thing was started by the Jacobs School inviting in guest speakers to talk about careers in music and entrepreneurship,” Beeching said. “I was one of them.”

The program consists of four to six workshops and several advising sessions to help students develop career skills.

“This is really about building a framework for the future,” Beeching said. “It’s more of a
pilot program.

“The program focuses on what students want to learn and uses surveys to determine which workshops will be available and plays a part in which speakers are selected.”

Beeching said she thinks the program is great for giving student options.

“This has been great. We’re all about showing the students what their options are for careers and in entrepreneurship,” she said. “I’ve been having a blast with it.”

The program is open to all ages and has seen everyone from freshmen to doctorate students.

Sophomore music education major and flutist Lauren Raby said she finds the preparation to be a helpful tool, especially for performance majors.

“Jacobs is making us the best musicians possible and Project Jumpstart is helping with the business aspects of getting a job,” Raby said.

Beeching said Project Jumpstart is different from entrepreneurial programs at other schools.

“What’s so important about this program and what sets it apart from other schools is the fact that it’s really student-driven,” Beeching said. “There are four student leaders involved in this project.”

The student leaders are senior Clair Studdard, who is an oboe player working toward a bachelor’s degree in music performance with an outside field in business and a minor in psychology; Angela Kloc, a second year graduate vocal student; Marie-Elise McNeeley, who is pursuing a master of music degree in early music as a student of Stanley Ritchie.  

Also a student leader is Peter Thoresen, who recently completed his coursework toward the doctor of music degree in voice and vocal literature and is a graduate team leader, according to the Jacobs School of Music website.

Alain Barker, director of marketing and publicity for the Jacobs School of Music, completes the team as the project mentor.

Beeching and this team meet via Skype once a week.

Beeching is here for eight weeks total and often only one week at a time.
She said she is incredibly dedicated to Project Jumpstart and emphasizes the importance of the students.

“Without the students, this wouldn’t be happening at all,” Beeching said. “It’s really all about the students.”