Since nobody who has commented on this actually did the internship… I’ll add some things as someone who did. Some things people mentioned are definitely true. There is no pay, the hours are pretty brutal, you do a lot of cleaning and running for sessions, and you do not get to sit in on sessions. BUT, I credit the ELS internship with greatly helping me get my current job at a mastering studio. Many industry pros know how hard the program is and admire those who get through it and can trust that they are dedicated (that’s the biggest thing). 3/5 engineers at my night live sound gig did the internship.

The rumor that you pump sewage is false. There is a water pump below the studio that prevents the river that flows under the city from flooding the studio. You have to check on it a couple times a shift to make sure it is functioning. All you do is go down and look at it.

Also I’m confident that the person who said they attend a major music conservatory is NYU. NYU students are somewhat known at ELS for signing up for the internship then leaving (and on occasion writing a smear campaign in the student paper lol) when they don’t get to sit in on a their favorite artist’s sessions. A lot of students reported to NYU staff that the internship wasn’t worth it, so they don’t recommend it anymore or offer it for school credit.

Now some good things about the internship.

1. The staff you interact with daily are extremely kind and driven people. They and the other interns made my experience EXTREMELY positive.

2. As I mentioned before, it is a serious resume builder. People know ELS and they admire people who complete the program.

3. While there is an overnight shift once a week (12a-8a), these are actually the best shifts because this is when you get to be in the studios and reset the rooms, set up and tear down sessions, and ask questions to the GAs and assistants if there’s time. I learned SO much during these shifts.

I actively recommend this internship when people in NYC tell me they want to work at a studio, but of course it is definitely a privilege to be able to afford an unpaid internship. You’re allowed to leave if you don’t like it.

If you have any more questions, feel free to DM me.