I initially applied for Communication Science on a whim, as I was still completely lost about my future plans. I knew that majoring in a program as broad as this would allow me to keep my options open, and give me some time to figure out where I was headed. A year and a half went by after I moved to Amsterdam before I went to my first rave, and finally decided what my life would look like from that moment on. My parents have long been ambassadors of electronic music to me, as I grew up to Armin van Buuren’s greatest hits, but it wasn’t until I witnessed my first techno rave that I knew I wanted to contribute to the magic in some way. Although I was never necessarily musically inclined, I knew there were other ways to lend a hand in the nightlife, so I took my internship as an opportunity to learn from the best.
Armada Music is a record label that truly needs no introduction. From pioneering the leading artists in the electronic music scene to championing the biggest hits in the world, this company has made its way to the top, winning 6 ‘Best Global Label’ awards at the IDMA’s. Growing up to the label boss’ trance classics primed me to become the techno fan I am today, so I deemed it only fitting to start my career in the music industry in the place that bred my love for it.
Before I knew it, the promise I’d kept my parents about working for Armin’s team so many years ago was being fulfilled. For six months, that went by at just the right pace, I had the honor of being a PR and Marketing intern at Armada Music. As glamorous as it sounds to all those I mention it to, over the course of six months, I quickly understood that a job in the music industry is just like any other. Every day, you get to work at around 9:00 o’clock in the morning, you get your coffee – or two, or five, just to pass the time – and you work until 5:30 in the afternoon, then you go home, rest and repeat. Business as usual. Except, you have some of the world’s most acclaimed artists performing in your in-house club, you spend your breaks playing pool with your friends, you have Friday afternoon drinks & DJ decks, and get to enjoy consistent positive vibes around the office all day, every day.
But aside from the crazy lifestyle that comes with working in the scene, what really resonated about Armada Music was the company culture. I worked at an online jewelry company for a few months before my internship started, and felt a bit isolated from my coworkers, which worried me about being an intern at such a high-tier company. And yet, my first and last days at Armada Music are undoubtedly some of my most memorable days so far, due to the warmness I was embraced with from the first moment I set foot in the office until the last. But who knows? Maybe it wasn’t the last…