Systems in Music Therapy: The Intern Interview...

I had my first in-person internship applicant interview since late 2019 yesterday. This is the type of internship interview that I really prefer because it gives me an opportunity to see the applicant interact with my students. It also gives the applicant an opportunity to see how I work and what my students and facility are actually like before they commit to a seven-month stint as my intern.

I know that my insistence on such a visit is something that is financially difficult for some applicants. I may not get as many intern applicants because of this requirement, but I feel that it is better to know exactly what you are getting into with my facility and my students and, well, ME, than it would be to be completely surprised and find that my facility and program are not AT ALL what the intern wanted. Could you imagine?

I clearly spell out the expectation of an on-site interview and audition in my fact sheet, but that requirement has still surprised applicants over the years. I can't waive that requirement easily, and it always surprises me when applicants read the fact sheet, fill out the application, and still have not read the requirements of my program! I strive to not have any surprises, but I cannot force someone to read what I give to them.

The past three accepted interns have been Zoom interviews due to regulations with the whole global pandemic thing. They have worked out well, but I still have some flashbacks to the first intern that I accepted who did not interview with me and who turned out to be very unhappy at the facility for many different reasons. That experience made me decide that I would invite people that I was very interested in as an intern to my facility so I can meet them in real life. I did Zoom interviews because I had no other choice, but yesterday signaled the return of an era for me...

During our day together, I ask the applicant to develop a Therapeutic Music Experience (TME) to lead with a group of clients that are completely new to them. During that TME, the applicant has to sing and play an accompanying instrument. That is all. They can lead any sort of TME that they would like - it has to last about 10 minutes - and I want to hear their singing and playing skills. I always send out a description of groups before an applicant arrives so they have an idea of what we work on and what types of skills group members have in music therapy. Applicants also observe us during sessions, eat lunch in the cafeteria with my current interns, and then we talk a bit. At some point, I had a list of interview questions to ask each intern - after 34 interns, I have most of the questions memorized. I do not always ask all applicants all questions. I really should find that list of questions again...moving has really messed my meager organization skills up significantly!

This round of interviews is now over. The next batch will be for October and January.