AEG and Goldenvoice Expand Career Pathways at Just Like Heaven and Head in the Clouds Festivals

For most young people, music festivals are places to experience their favorite artists and connect with culture. Increasingly, they are also providing valuable opportunities to explore potential careers behind the scenes of the live entertainment industry.

This summer, more than 40 high school students participated in AEG career exploration events held alongside Goldenvoice's Head in the Clouds and Just Like Heaven festivals at Brookside at the Rose Bowl. The experiences provided students with a firsthand look at the wide range of professions that help bring major live events to life.

Participants explored career opportunities across event production, marketing, operations, food and beverage, stage production and entertainment management while learning how these functions work together to create large scale festival experiences. Guided tours and conversations with industry professionals offered students an insider's perspective on the planning, coordination and execution required to deliver world class events.

Beyond exposing students to career possibilities, the program focused on helping them build practical skills that support future academic and professional success. Through collaborative challenges, students worked in teams to develop original festival concepts and present their ideas to industry leaders, strengthening their communication, team building, critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

The events brought together students from schools and community organizations across the Los Angeles region, creating opportunities for young people to engage directly with professionals and gain insight into an industry that can often feel out of reach. For many participants, the experience provided a clearer understanding of both the educational pathways and professional experiences that can lead to careers in entertainment.

Experiential learning programs like those offered through AEG are becoming increasingly important to Career Technical Education (CTE) programs in high schools. By connecting students with real world environments, professional mentors and hands-on learning opportunities, organizations can help young people make more informed decisions about their futures while building confidence in their ability to pursue ambitious career goals.

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, developing diverse talent pipelines remains essential to its future success. Through programs like this, AEG and Goldenvoice are helping prepare the next generation of professionals by providing meaningful exposure to the careers, skills and networks that power the live entertainment business.