Interviewed by Amy Dunlap, Intern #121.
Lindsey Stradt, Intern #64, is one a busy music therapist, working part time for West Music while earning her doctoral degree at the University of Iowa. She recently took the time to reflect back on her experience as a MusicWorx Intern. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Lindsey!
1. What is your current job? Would you say MusicWorx helped you get to where you are today?
Currently I work part-time as a clinical music therapist for West Music Co. and I am a full-time doctoral student at The University of Iowa. MusicWorx did help me to get my first job and provided me with momentum and a wide variety of skills as an entry-level professional.
Currently I work part-time as a clinical music therapist for West Music Co. and I am a full-time doctoral student at The University of Iowa. MusicWorx did help me to get my first job and provided me with momentum and a wide variety of skills as an entry-level professional.
2. What drew you to the MusicWorx internship?
The wide range of populations and clinical settings that the interns get to work with as well as the opportunity to work within a team of music therapists and music therapy interns.
3. What was your favorite MusicWorx moment?
After seven months in San Diego there are so many to experiences to choose from. In general my favorite MusicWorx moments revolved around the amazing clients and patients I had the opportunity to work with and learn from. In addition, the music therapy team that I got to work with and learn had a huge impact on my professional development, and has provided me with lifelong friends who share my passion for music and music therapy.
4. Are there any aspects of what you learned at MusicWorx internship that best prepared you for your career today?
To be a successful intern there are so many professional skills that develop during internship. For me, this internship pushed me to evaluate the priority of tasks to be completed and balance being self-sufficient and a “go-getter” while asking for supervision and for additional resources when needed.
To be a successful intern there are so many professional skills that develop during internship. For me, this internship pushed me to evaluate the priority of tasks to be completed and balance being self-sufficient and a “go-getter” while asking for supervision and for additional resources when needed.
5. What was one of your biggest challenges during your internship? (And you can’t say lack of gas money or lack of time, unfortunately!)
I must admit that preparing a grant application in less than a month was certainly a big challenge, thank you to my co-interns who were able to cover some of my sessions during that last week when I was locked away putting on the final details on the application.
I must admit that preparing a grant application in less than a month was certainly a big challenge, thank you to my co-interns who were able to cover some of my sessions during that last week when I was locked away putting on the final details on the application.
6. What was your biggest “aha!” moment for your professional and/or personal growth?
During my internship (as with all internships) there were many “aha” moments. One that I remember clearly happened early on in my internship as I was dealing with pre-session jitters. My supervisor said “it is not about you. How right she was. This is a bit of wisdom that has helped both me and other students that I have shared it with. This realization can be quite freeing.
During my internship (as with all internships) there were many “aha” moments. One that I remember clearly happened early on in my internship as I was dealing with pre-session jitters. My supervisor said “it is not about you. How right she was. This is a bit of wisdom that has helped both me and other students that I have shared it with. This realization can be quite freeing.
7. What would be your one piece of advice to future MusicWorx interns?
Keep an open mind.
