Dedicated to Opening the Doors to Opportunity
In the 21 years since the introduction of McNally Smith College of Music, the school has proven it knows how to find success in the present, and as we grow, our greatest concern is preparing our students for the future. So with renewed commitment to that future we introduce the McNally Smith Career Center.
The Career Center uses technology such as electronic recruitment systems to bring students, alumni, and employers together. We utilize the latest job search tools and also practice composing effective resumes. We emphasize targeting the right markets, researching potential companies, and practicing effective job interview skills.
If your company or organization would like more information about our student internship programs, please email us.
Employers who would like to post a job or post an internship in the Career Center can do so by simply submitting our online form.
An Update from Carnival Cruise Lines!
Read the updates from 2 of our alumni working for Carnival Cruise!
Joshua Johnson: "I'm really having am blast out here. I get to hang out with some really talented people from all over the world. " Read More.
John Steiz: "Living and working aboard a cruise ship certainly is different from nearly any other gig you can imagine..." Read More.
It's A Wrap!
McNally Smith College of Music hosted its 1st annual Summer Internship WrapParty and celebrated a sensational evening of success with West Coast Music& Entertainment industry giants.
Check it out here!
The Career Center is:
Debbie Sandridge
Director of Career Development
651-325-2382
Email
*Debbie Sandridge was the Director of A&R and an Executive Producer for Motown Records, where she worked under the personal guidance of Berry Gordy. At Motown, Debbie worked with Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Pointer Sisters, The Temptations, Michael Sambello, El Debarge, Babyface, Peter Asher, Coolio, Dianne Warren, and Ice Cube.
Sarah Peterson
Career Center Coordinator
651-325-2379
Email
Carnival Updates:
Joshua Johnson
How are things in St. Paul? Ship life is different. It's a big ship but it gets pretty small when it becomes your home. The cabins are pretty small; you share a room with some one else. The food gets old after a bit. And there is a lot of drama when you get 1200 people living and working together. There are not really any days off. My ship rotates 6 days one week and 8 days the next. When we get to our homeport in Ft. Lauderdale to drop the guests off we leave the same day with new guests. It's a pretty busy schedule with the main production shows, rehearsals, and maintenance. Plus 9 other smaller lounges to maintain as well as assisting private group functions with audio for seminars, performances, or even some worship services. But all that said, I'm really having am blast out here. I get to hang out with some really talented people from all over the world. Of the 1200 crew only about 33 are US citizens.
The weather is great most of the time. A couple times a week you can usually find a few hours to get off and
check out some of the beautiful ports of call we stop at. Antigua is my favorite so far. My ship goes to San Juan Puerto Rico - St. Thomas U.S.V.I. – Tortola - Nassau Bahamas - Grand Cayman - Ocho Rios Jamaica - Limon Panama - Key West, FL - Cozumel Mexico - Colon Costa Rica. The work is pretty fun it's a lot of maintenance, load ins and load outs, and assisting the musicians and performers with the use of the gear. I'm working my way into the main lounge audio position so I can get more board time on the console. That was my main reason for taking the gig. It will come with time. Speaking of time it flies when your out here. I only have a couple weeks left here on the Liberty and I'll be transferring to the Destiny for the second half of this contract. I'll be there till 6/15/08 and I've already requested a second contract for the Spirit starting 8/28/08 which goes to Alaska and Hawaii. If you know of any gigs coming up this summer while I'm on vacation let me know. I've only heard from John Stitetz once since I got out here, he is on the Paradise out of Long Beach, CA. He is on a smaller ship but they don't have the Back Lounge Tech position like we do so he was tossed right into doing everything Main Lounge audio and all the back lounges too. Our Piano Man "Vince" in the Piano Bar is a Music Tech Alumni. Enjoy the pictures, and stay in touch.
Joshua Johnson
AFT Lounge Technician
John Steitz
My name is John Steitz and I've just recently returned back to Minnesota after having been given the opportunity to work as a sound technician on board the Carnival Paradise. Living and working aboard a cruise ship certainly is different from nearly any other gig you can imagine, however it provided me the opportunity to not only travel and work along side people from all walks of life, but also gain valuable experience relating to live sound reinforcement and technique. Upon my arrival to the ship I quickly noticed that I would be the sole technician on board, no easy task considering the sheer scale and quantity of the entertainment found on board cruise ships such as this. In my time onboard I engineered a variety of shows and events, everything from full scale production shows with a live orchestra to stand-up comedy and anything in between. I was given the distinct opportunity to work in a variety of different lounges, on different systems, and with different styles on a daily basis. Aside from engineering the shows, I was also responsible for ship wide systems maintenance, and equipment procurement. While working with the other techs onboard, I was also given the opportunity to obtain experience and training in basic lighting, pyrotechnics, and backstage management techniques.
However, for all the professional experience I gathered, perhaps the most rewarding aspect of my time on board the Carnival Paradise were the people and friends I met along he way. I would often find myself in the company of very diverse and interesting people. I now have many fond memories of playing guitar with Indonesians at ship front, playing foosball with Croatians, and drinking vodka with a Russian or two in the crew bar. So perhaps if you are in the market for a buck or two and feel like maybe traveling the world in the process, why not explore the resources provided by Debbie and Sarah in the crew center and see
what they can do for you!
Thanks Debbie and Sarah!
John Steitz (MSCM Alumni '07)
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