Entertainment Industry Internships Finding an Internship in Entertainment
If you're interested in working in the media or entertainment industries, the best way to get started is through an internship. Internships can help you gain valuable experience and provide an excellent way for you to network and get to know the right people.
The first step in looking for an internship in the entertainment industry is knowing what you want. Set some personal goals and keep looking. What kind of experience are you looking for? It is important to understand that it is crucial to know every aspect of an industry in order to fully understand how it works. Don't sell yourself short by only focusing in one area, be open to learning all you can.
Once you have an idea of what you want, the next step is research. Research research research! That cannot be stressed enough. Be sure you have learned all you an about the industry itself. Read books about the area of the entertainment industry you are interested in working in. Research the people who have succeeded in that industry. Learn about them and then learn about the companies where you are thinking of applying. You don't want to end up in an internship that will not provide you with the experience you really need. So what should you be looking for? Find out if a company you are thinking of applying to is reputable through the local Chamber of Commerce or by talking to others who may have had internships there. Learn about that company and how it works. Talk directly to people in the company. You can write to a company and ask them for information about their internship opportunities. You can't find out too much before you start applying because an internship can not only give you experience but also provide opportunities otherwise unavailable to you elsewhere. You want to be sure you're applying to the right place. You don't want to just work for a company, you want to find the company that will work for you! When you leave this position, you should walk away with experiences, knowledge and understanding that will help to propel you into your career.
The next step is your resume and cover letter. You will want to be sure to make these as impressive as possible, but remember, you're applying to do an internship, so they will be looking at your education, prior experiences and any organizations or groups you belong to. Another important point at this step is to utilize what you have learned about that company and integrate it with your skills and experiences. Be sure to point out the skills and experiences that you have that would make you the one that that particular company would want as an intern. Communication skills, passion and confidence are important qualities to companies in the entertainment industry. They are looking for someone who is driven to succeed at every level. Even though this is an internship, you should treat it as you would any job you really want to do and be sure to convey the attitude that you are willing to do what it takes to get the job done.
Finally you can start sending out those resumes and letters. Los Angeles and New York are obviously the best cities to start looking for internships in the entertainment industry, but that does not mean there aren't companies elsewhere. There are websites such as www.entertainmentcareers.net that have listings of companies and internships available but you can also just find the websites for the companies you are interested in and usually they will have an area for job opportunities or internships where you can find what they are currently looking for. Many of this information you will already have if you have done your research prior to doing your resume.
Having the opportunity to work in the entertainment industry with an internship can be a very rewarding experience. It can provide you with invaluable experience and networking opportunities unavailable to you anywhere else. Remember that not all internships are about making photocopies or coffee; some of them directly involve you with projects and hands on experience that you can eventually build upon. Look for these chances as best as you can. You might still have to make photocopies but there will still be ways for you to be directly involved so that you can better understand how the industry operates. This experience may even help you decide if you really want a career in the entertainment industry. There is no better way to know a company and an industry than by having first hand experience and getting the know-how in order to succeed.
