Michael Seltzer is Executive Vice President of Business & Legal Affairs and Head of Commercial Transactions at Universal Music Group

What are the most exciting things about your job right now? 

Even considering how technology and other factors have so dramatically changed the music business since I started thirty years ago, the thing that excites me most is the same thing that excited me back then—it’s meeting and working with new and developing Artists and Entrepreneurs. 

What was a turning point in your career? 

I had three significant turning points and the results: SKILLS: Landing 1st Job in Corp Legal at PolyGram Records (parent company to largest global label), and being trained by the best in the business, including Cardozo grad Julie Swidler PERSPECTIVE: Hired to run Island Records Business and Legal, and learned from my close friend and music biz legend Chris Blackwell SWAGGER: Closed the deal to bring Jay-Z in as President of Def Jam, and worked closely with him and his team ever since 

What advice do you have for students looking to get into this career field? 

Never quit. As my immigrant grandfather, who worked on the railroad by day and studied at night, told my father, and he’s repeatedly told me, just keep at it and it’ll happen.