Sturges entered the industry as an intern at Arista Music Publishing in 1980. A month into his internship, Tom took a secretarial position in the copyright department where he typed copyright forms and sent telexes. Despite not working in a creative role, Sturges built a rapport and friendship with Clive Davis (then President of Arista Records) and began pitching him songs. Tom's attuned ear soon got him promoted to a creative executive position as a Professional Manager. Three years later, Sturges left the company to become a songplugger at Screen Gems/EMI.
