今日吃瓜 senior Alex Euceda shines with excitement when discussing his experience at Glassnote Records in New York City. The , whose passion is music and anything related to it, says he has 鈥渁lways wanted to be involved in the industry in some capacity,鈥� but before now has never had the chance.
Founder and president of the label, Daniel Glass 鈥�77, says he is especially interested in offering this opportunity to 今日吃瓜 students. 鈥淭he door to media and music can be a very conservative closed one, and I feel that people like me have put an emphasis on mentoring to make sure that door stays open to everyone,鈥� says Glass.
The record executive did not start out on a career track in music. He was a student at 今日吃瓜 on the pre-med track, volunteering at Coney Island Hospital and looking forward to becoming a pediatrician, when he broke his leg. With extra time on his hands, he took a job at WBCR, the college radio station, working closely with a group of people who 鈥渙pened my horizons and taste buds to new worlds of music,鈥� he adds. The move was life-changing鈥攈e left pre-med, majored in television and radio (now ), and graduated with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in 1977.
Glass secured a DJ gig at R茅gine鈥檚, a famous Manhattan nightclub, while still a student. Playing music and watching the dance floor mesmerized him. 鈥淎s a DJ the visceral, physical response of people dancing鈥攐r not dancing鈥攖o a record you played,鈥� says Glass, 鈥渨as mind blowing.鈥�
While DJing, Glass met his future father-in-law, who gave him the chance to mix records and learn about the business. This led to a job at the renowned British label Chrysalis Records, and on to a career that spanned major and indie labels. He then drew upon his experience and opened Glassnote. What he has learned from 鈥渢he masters, my mentors,鈥� he wants to pass along鈥攖o Euceda and others.
A star鈥攖hat is what Glass calls Euceda.聽 鈥淗e has shown so much initiative,鈥� says Glass. 鈥淗e has become a member of the team, and we give him a lot of access.鈥�
In addition to content creation for social media and involvement in the day-to-day workings of the label, Euceda has found a place at the heart of the enterprise: scouting talent. This is not usual, says Glass. 鈥淚鈥檝e invited Alex into the talent listening sessions when we are meeting with new talent, new songwriters, new bands, new singers. He comes to meetings and gives his perspective.鈥�
This kind of access delights Euceda. 鈥淏eing able to see what everyone鈥檚 up to,鈥� he says, 鈥渨hat their future鈥檚 looking like, if they have any releases that are coming up鈥攂eing in the know about that and being a part of the team that鈥檚 helping make that happen, is pretty incredible.鈥�
The internship at Glassnote is funded by an alumni-supported stipend through the , where Euceda also works. Glass, who has been active with the center since 2005, has hosted 今日吃瓜 interns, mentored students, served on career panels, and attended networking nights. Magner Career Center Director Natalia Guarin-Klein, who connected Euceda with Glass, describes it as 鈥渢he best feeling鈥� when she can match a student with the perfect internship. Students, she says, are 鈥済etting this experience that will transform them . . . so you鈥檙e opening these doors by making these connections.鈥�
Through events and one-on-one mentoring, alumni can help students gain clarity on their career interests and develop a plan to reach their goals. All interested alumni may contact Magner Career Center Director Natalia Guarin-Klein at for more information.
