MusicWorx Alumni Allyson Moody, Intern #86

Interviewed by Kristen McSorley Current Intern #124

    Allyson Moody, currently on hiatus from music therapy practice to care for her 18-month-old son, recalls the unique aspects of her MusicWorx internship experience. Although she isn’t currently practicing, she feels confident in obtaining contracts or employment whenever she is ready, in part due to the extensive business side of the internship. Allyson also recalls the four temperaments personality test she took in her first week and remembers how this test brought insight and empowered her to build on her strengths while overcoming her weaknesses.

Enjoy Allyson’s answers to our interview questions below:

1. What is your current job?

Currently I am a stay-at-home mom and piano instructor.  Before I had my son (18 months ago) I was working as a music therapist at a juvenile detention center.  I held that position for three years straight out of my internship.

2. Would you say MusicWorx helped you get to where you are today?

Absolutely!  Without the MusicWorx name and team, networking would have been much more difficult. Nearing the end of my internship I learned that my husband would be attending a school across the country in a small town.  We were nervous that I wouldn’t be able to find a job immediately, and that I would have had to create my own job (which, thanks to the MusicWorx internship, I would have been able to do but it wasn’t ideal for me at the time).  I actually took over the music therapist position at the juvenile detention center from another former MusicWorx intern, and I probably wouldn’t have landed that position without MusicWorx.  Even though I am now not currently working in a music therapy position I have confidence that I will be able to work again in the field when I am ready.

3. What drew you to the MusicWorx internship?

I was really interested in how to start my own business because I knew that music therapy jobs were sometimes hard to come by.  I also loved the fact that there were so many different populations to get experience with because I wasn’t ready to settle down on a specific group yet.

4. What was your favorite moment of your MusicWorx experience?

I don’t know if I had a favorite moment, but I did really enjoy the graduation dinners.  It was fun to see my senior interns finish up their time and to reflect upon their experiences.  Equally, it was nice to see the progress I had made halfway through and then at the end of my internship.

5. What aspects of what you learned at the MusicWorx internship prepared you for your career today?

The vast repertoire of resources available to the MusicWorx interns were a huge benefit to me in my career.  I used a lot of the ideas and music that I learned while completing my internship.

6. What was one of your biggest challenges during your internship?

There were three of us interning at the same time, and I felt like the other two interns really had a special bond.  I came from a different background and was living with my husband during the internship … often times I felt like the third wheel … trying to fit in was my biggest challenge.

7. What was your biggest “aha” moment for your professional and/or personal growth?

I discovered more about myself when I completed the four temperaments personality test at the very beginning of the internship than I have at any other point in my life.  (I’m melancholy by the way).  I felt like everything I did, and why I did it, just suddenly made sense.  I was able to use that knowledge throughout my internship, and beyond as I utilized my strengths and focused on overcoming my personal weaknesses.

8. What would be your one piece of advice to future MusicWorx interns?

Take advantage of every opportunity available to you during this internship.