Looking for Advice: Studio Internship vs. Building Independently as a Mixer

[u/Howyadoing129]

Hey everyone,

I’m at a crossroads and would love some perspective from those further along in their careers.

I’ve been playing instruments for years, and I started learning music production in the summer of 2022. It began as a hobby, but about a year and a half in, I realized I wanted to pursue it professionally. Since then, I’ve been putting in 20+ hours a week improving my skills, connecting with other artists, and laying the groundwork to transition into audio work full-time.

This is the first thing I’ve done that’s consistently fueled my passion and focus.

At this point, I feel like I’m entering a new phase. My skills have grown to where I can confidently help artists bring their ideas to life. I’ve built out a home studio in a bedroom of my house, and I’ve mapped out a plan to build my portfolio to the point where I feel ready to start charging for mixing by late 2025.

Here’s where I’m torn: Should I pause those plans and try to land an internship at a professional studio?

On one hand, the hands-on experience and mentorship could be invaluable. On the other, with how advanced home recording setups have become — and given how vibrant and collaborative the arts community is in my city — I’m wondering if it might be more worthwhile to stay independent. I could keep sharpening my skills at home, work with local artists, and seek feedback from more experienced folks directly.

I’ve also heard that internships can be major time sinks — sometimes amounting to long hours doing menial tasks just to pick up small bits of knowledge. I’m nearing 30, and I’m not sure I can afford to spend years getting coffee in exchange for insights that I might be able to get through other means.

So I’m wondering: Is a studio internship still a valuable path in 2025, or would I be better off investing that time into my own studio and community connections?

I’d love to hear from anyone who’s been through this — especially folks who have taken either (or both) of these paths.

Thanks in advance!

[u/atopix]

Here’s where I’m torn: Should I pause those plans and try to land an internship at a professional studio?

There is nothing to be torn about, you can do both? It's just sending a few emails to local studios. What's the big deal?

I’ve also heard that internships can be major time sinks — sometimes amounting to long hours doing menial tasks just to pick up small bits of knowledge.

Nah, I mean, you'll absolutely be doing menial tasks, but you'll learn more than anywhere else, 100%. That is if you are lucky to get an internship at all, which you are likely not going to because it's very hard to get one in 2025.

So don't worry about something that's unlikely to happen in the first place. But if you are lucky to get one, you'll learn more than anywhere else.

So my advice is to apply to your local studios and then do whatever else you are planning.

[u/Howyadoing129 → u/atopix]

I appreciate that, that’s a good win-win way to think about it.

[u/freshnews66]

You need to do both.

[u/mrspecial]

Get an internship. It could lead to a real career in a few years that could take a decade to develop independently. Keep doing what you are doing too. Yes you will work long hours for peanuts at the beginning, and if you don’t have the right attitude it won’t lead to much, but it is worth the shot

[u/Phuzion69]

Would that internship not be like rocking horse shit? There must be 1000's of people for every position.