On the record: Advertising student Erin Baptiste interns with local music label

Junior Erin Baptiste has an eclectic group of interests: media, design, history and music.

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Baptiste is the type of person who looks both backward and forward. As a dual major in Strategic Communication (in the Media Design track) and History, she informs her ideas for the future with lessons of the past. Outside of class, she embraces her love of music as a member of CU Boulder's all-female a cappella group, On the Rocks. 

This spring, Baptiste began an internship with the Boulder-based record label and recording studio United Interests—a place remarkably well-suited to combine her passions for media, history and the arts. The opportunity came about after she met representatives of the company at CMCI’s fall career fair.

For Baptiste, an average day at her internship might include posting to social media, searching the web for mentions of the label’s artists, helping with web design and managing the office space. She also has opportunities to learn from and assist with other departments at the studio. For example, she uses her experience in graphic design to help create logos and design official band merchandise.

“It’s really taught me the ins and outs and the ups and downs of small business and the people you really need to rely on,” she says.

The label represents several local indie bands, including The Lil Smokies—a progressive bluegrass band originally from Montana—and Elephant Revival—a folk group that formed in Nederland, Colorado, just west of CU Boulder's campus. Each week, when she heads to her internship, Baptiste trades in the desks and whiteboards of her classrooms to work amid Fender amplifiers, an array of hanging guitars, and large posters for bands like The Jimi Hendrix Experience. One of the best aspects of the internship is the ability to attend concerts for the artists, she says, including shows at the famous Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver, as well as Boulder venues like the Fox Theatre.

“I think this internship showed me that there is a place for me in the music industry,” she says.