MECA exposes MSU to music industry

MSU students are exploring what goes on behind the hottest tracks in the entertainment world.

The Music and Entertainment Career Association, or MECA, gives students the chance to see what running the entertainment industry is like. The group, a brainchild of communication senior Liz Idemudia, was formed in early February and plans to meet biweekly every Wednesday for the rest of the semester.

“Actually, it was an epiphany to me,” Idemudia said. “I didn’t want to go into corporate America and music is my passion. It’s a brand new organization and we’ve gotten a lot of great communication with campus.”

The group consists of a six-member executive board, and about 30 members and continues to grow. People of all majors who are interested in working in entertainment can use the group to see different opportunities in the entertainment industry.

“We just want to expose them to the entertainment field and different types of professionals in the industry,” said finance junior J. Wesley Barrett, director of finance for MECA.

MECA plans to bring in a variety of different speakers and plan events to help gain exposure. By bringing in professionals from across the entertainment world, it hopes to give opportunities to members for internships and networking.

Disc Jockey SunShyne from Detroit’s WJLB (98-FM) spoke to the group Wednesday about her seven years in the radio industry and offered advice to students seeking radio internships.

“There isn’t any organization on campus that helps you find internships like this,” said advertising junior Lauryn Scott, liaison of student affairs for MECA. “This group can really help with networking.”

The group hopes to recruit for the remainder of the semester and at summer Academic Orientation Programs to spark interests in underclassmen.

“If we get enough students to join, it could be one of the top organizations on MSU,” Scott said.