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Want to delve into how internships work behind-the-scenes and how they build a foundation for Arts Management students' careers? Meet Sydney Jordan while they dive into their current internship projects, advices, and experience in this interview.
This semester, Sydney is serving as GME's Public Relations and Marketing Intern and is leading a wide-range of marketing and recruitment initiatives and projects. Two major projects that she is navigating will help increase communication efficiency and long-term planning by creating an annual content calendar and updating ensemble bios and "fast facts." Through the internship, Sydney hopes to refine her arts management skills in marketing and communication for her next job!
Can you describe yourself and why you chose to pursue Arts Management?
Sydney: My name is Sydney Jordan, and I am currently finishing my M.A. in Arts Management at George Mason University after completing my B.S. in Information Technology with a minor in Business. While my academic foundation is in technology and administration, I've always been deeply connected to the arts through performance and music. When I used to perform with the Green Machine through undergrad, I played euphonium, and more recently in graduate years I’ve shifted to primarily playing trombone. I am also one of the founding members of my ska band, The Maka Sticks, where I've gained hands-on experience booking shows, promoting music, and engaging with audiences. These experiences helped me realize that I wanted to build a career where I could combine my technical and organizational skills with my passion for the arts. Arts Management felt like the natural path, allowing me to bridge creativity, community, and strategy in a way that supports artists and organizations.
Can you describe your internship and the organization you're interning at?
Sydney: I am currently serving as the PR/Marketing Intern for the Green Machine Ensembles (GME), which is part of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. GME is best known as the university’s high-energy pep band, but the organization also encompasses a wide range of ensembles including drumlines, winter guard, and chamber groups, all of which contribute to Mason’s culture of school spirit, innovation, and inclusivity. My role as an intern involves working directly with Associate Director Bobby Lacy II on strategic communications, marketing projects, and recruitment/retention initiatives. The internship has given me the opportunity to step beyond performance and contribute to the organizational side of GME, focusing on how our ensembles are presented to the public and prospective students.
Why did you choose that organization to intern?
Sydney: The Green Machine has been a major part of my life at Mason since my undergraduate years, and I wanted my internship to build on that foundation. My involvement with the ensembles has shown me how they bring people together and create a strong sense of identity and community for students. Choosing to intern with GME was an opportunity to give back to the program while also honing the professional skills I want to carry into my career. It felt like the perfect environment to merge what I’ve learned in the classroom with an organization I care about deeply, while also making a tangible difference in its future recruitment and visibility.
What projects, research, or work are you involved with at your internship?
Sydney: My work this semester centers around two major deliverables: developing a year-round PR/marketing content calendar for GME and producing updated ensemble bios and “fast facts” that will support the program’s communications and fundraising efforts. I am also conducting research to better understand how GME’s outreach and recruitment efforts connect with prospective students and the broader university community. One of the most valuable things I’ve learned so far is how data-driven marketing connects to real-world recruitment. It’s not just about creating content, but about aligning messaging with institutional goals and making sure that every story we tell about GME supports growth and sustainability.
What’s one of the most valuable things you’ve learned so far?
Sydney: One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned so far is how to translate data into messaging that supports concrete recruitment goals. It’s not only about producing engaging content; it’s about aligning stories, timing, and platforms with institutional objectives so that our communications meaningfully contribute to growth and retention.
How have your courses in the Arts Management program helped prepare you for the internship?
Sydney: My coursework in the Arts Management program has been essential in preparing me for this internship. In Governance and Financial Management, I gained a strong understanding of how nonprofit structures, committees, and finances shape organizational decision-making, which helps me see GME not only as a performance group but as part of a larger institutional framework. Arts in Society gave me tools to think critically about cultural value and audience engagement, which I now apply when shaping recruitment narratives for our ensembles. Even my current internship course, AMGT 742, encourages me to actively connect theory with practice by reflecting on my work week-to-week. These courses have helped me approach my role with a balance of creativity and strategy, understanding both the artistic mission and the management structures that support it.
What advice would you give to students starting an internship?
Sydney: My biggest piece of advice is to treat your internship as both a learning experience and a collaboration. Go in with curiosity, ask questions often, and don’t be afraid to suggest ideas — your perspective as a student is super valuable. At the same time, try to stay flexible, because opportunities may emerge that weren’t in the original job description. I also recommend keeping a weekly log of your activities; not only does it help with accountability, but it also gives you a record of your growth and accomplishments. And of course, take the time to build relationships with your supervisors and peers!