Say hello to new Entertainment Studies instructor Hunter Scott! Hunter will be teaching Entrepreneurship for the Indie Artist this spring. He is founder and Head of Marketing and Publicity at TREND, a full-service public-relations firm focusing on press outreach, lifestyle branding, and social media management for musicians and industry professionals. In addition, Hunter serves as Head of Brand Development at High Q Digital, a social media marketing company.

We sat down with Hunter and asked him 5 questions to get to know more about him and his course.

What about teaching for Entertainment Studies are you most looking forward to?
For me, education has always been about empowering others. From my background teaching college to the dozens of conferences I speak at, I hope to inspire, excite and show students how fun and fulfilling a career in the music industry can be.

What do you hope students get out of your course?
As the name of the course suggests, I’m really looking for the students to have the necessary entrepreneurship tools to have a long-lasting career in the music industry. We’re going to spend much of the time on actual, real-life case studies of how things are done and how students can implement the many available tools at their disposal. It’s less about theory for me and more about tangible and actionable items students can take home with them after each and every class.

What is one thing you want students to know before they begin your class?
We’re going to have a lot of fun and take it one step at a time, as brand-building is a creative and complex process. Be ready to challenge yourself to look at things differently. It’s a lot of work, but one that is both fulfilling and empowering.

What are you watching or listening to these days that you are enjoying?
Podcasts: Gastropod, The Impact. How I Built This (highly recommend to check that one out prior to class.) TV: Shrill, Ozark, Schitt’s Creek. Music: How much time do we have? I’ve got playlists for working out, evenings with friends, weekend mornings and mid-week at the office. I love discovering new music, so an email from a student with a Spotify link is always welcome.

What’s the best piece of advice you would give to someone aspiring to break into your field?
I have to opt for two on this one. First, plan just enough to get you started. Have specific goals and know how you’re going to achieve them, all of which we’re going to cover in this course. But once that’s done, don’t overthink it. Your next work could very well be your best one, but if you become a serial planner and never actually go for it, you’re going to be left behind. Secondly, network the heck out of the people around you in class and out. I’m still in touch with former college instructors, past bosses, and even interns from many years ago. Your network will help you find longevity and success.