Tips for Music Therapy Internships: A Guide from Leah

Hey there! I’m Leah, Dynamic Lynks’ current intern. As I thought about what to write for this month’s blog post, I found myself reflecting on my music therapy friends back at Ohio University. They are likely in the thick of internship application season. Applying for internships can feel overwhelming and daunting. So… music therapy students: this one is for you! I’d like to share some tips and tricks I learned throughout the application process that ultimately helped me secure a position at Dynamic Lynks.

11 Things I Wish I Knew While Applying to Music Therapy Internships

1. Stay Organized

Make a chart, spreadsheet, or document to keep track of your applications, due dates, and other materials. Write down what you need for each application. Unfortunately, they’re all different! Note when your materials are due, what music you need to learn and prepare, and more. I found it helpful to keep track of what I had submitted, if I received a response, and if an interview was scheduled. There are many moving parts, so staying organized can minimize stress!

2. Ask Early for Recommendations

Request your letters of recommendation early. I’m talking weeks in advance or as soon as you know you’re going to apply somewhere. Your professors and mentors will appreciate it because you’re likely not the only one asking for their help.

3. Organize Internship Options by Practicality

Similar to college applications, organize your internship site options by practicality. Remember, you’ll be learning and working at whatever site you choose. You’ll also be living in that state or city for 6+ months. Here are a few things to consider:

• Safety: Make sure you feel safe there. Visit beforehand if you want to get a feel for it.

• Distance: How close to home do you want to be? Will it be hard to be away from family and friends?

• Housing: What is rent like in that state or city? What is your budget? Does a site offer you a stipend for housing or travel?

• Travel: If you visit home, how will you likely get there (driving, flying)?

• Connections: Do you know someone in that state or city who you could live with during your internship?

  
  

4. Prepare for Interviews

Just like an audition, make sure you are practiced and prepared for interviews! Choose songs and interventions that highlight your strengths while still meeting the expectations interviewers ask of you. Make this first (or second or third) impression count! Be confident in all that you've learned and accomplished to get to this point.

5. Plan Questions for Interviewers

Plan questions to ask your interviewers. They want to know that you’re curious about their site. In a way, you’re interviewing internship directors, supervisors, and future colleagues, too, so ask questions! Don’t be afraid to be assertive. Here are some questions to consider:

• What does an intern's day-to-day look like?

• What would your caseload look like if you ended up there?

• How do they approach work-life balance and boundary setting?

• What’s your favorite part of your job? What’s the most challenging part?

• What is your supervision style, and what works best for you?

• What made past interns successful at this site?

  
  

6. Prepare for Common Interview Questions

Plan how you’ll respond to common interview questions. In every interview I did, I was asked about my strengths and weaknesses as a student and music therapist, what I do for self-care, and why I was interested in music therapy as a profession. Think about how you would answer these questions and make note of your responses!

• Self-Care: Think about what you like to do to unwind. If you don’t know, start thinking about it! Make note of any hobbies or extracurricular activities you do, especially the non-music ones. You will need these tools. Everyone says you have to take care of yourself if you’re going to spend all day taking care of others, and they’re 100% right. Otherwise, you’ll burn out before you’ve even started.

  
  

7. Trust Your Gut

Trust your gut when interviewing! The best advice I can give to a rising intern is to accept the offer from the site where you gel with the staff. Choose a place where you feel comfortable being yourself and where you believe you’ll be supported throughout the huge learning curve that is internship.

• Don’t let the prestige of an internship site or the specific population be your only deciding factors! You’ll gain valuable experience anywhere you end up, regardless of age group or support level.

• Prioritize how you feel during your interviews. Are they asking good questions? Are they making an effort to get to know you? Remember, these are people you’ll be working with every day for 6+ months! You’ll learn best if you’re around people you feel at ease with.

  
  

Internship is challenging, and you will mess up. Choose a site where you feel safe to try new things, make mistakes, and get right back up again. Choosing the site that I knew would push me to improve while also supporting me was the best decision I could’ve made for myself.

8. Treat Yourself After Interviews

Get yourself a little treat after interviews! They can be stressful and exhausting, and you’ve worked hard to get to this stage. Celebrate that, regardless of whether you get asked back for another interview or receive an offer! A victory is a victory at every step of this process.

9. Avoid Comparisons

Do your best not to compare yourself to your peers who seem further along in the process. I know it's hard not to compare yourself to others. It’s what we do as musicians, especially as music students who are evaluated and performing every day. But a classmate sending off an application or getting an interview before you doesn’t mean they’re a better music therapist or that you’re behind. It doesn’t say anything about you at all; it’s just the way it is!

It can be easy to feel like you’re competing against each other for the same few opportunities. While you may be interviewing at the same places as someone else, you are truly only competing with yourself. Focus on your musicianship, your clinical skills, and what you have to offer.

10. Breathe

Breathe. You’re going to end up exactly where you’re supposed to be. Whether it's in the internship cycle right after you graduate or you take a gap year, every music therapist currently working has been where you are right now. They’ve made it through just fine! You will be challenged and pushed as an intern, but you’re going to grow so much as a person and a clinician throughout this process. Get excited and know that you’ll end up exactly where you’re meant to be!

11. Embrace Your Passion

Get ready to do the thing that you’re passionate about every single day! It’s wonderful, nerve-wracking, and a little tiring, but it’s amazing. These 6 months are yours: work hard, play hard, soak it all up like a sponge, and know that what you put in is what you get out. There are so many incredible things ahead of you, and you’re ready!

I've shared a lot, and the most important thing I can say is to embrace this opportunity and all the changes that come with it as you gear up to take the next step in your career. This intern (and future colleague) is rooting for you. Good luck!

Follow along with Leah's internship journey on our Instagram and Facebook pages to see what she's up to as her internship comes to an end in May 2026!