Okay, let’s talk about entertainment internships. I’ve been through the wringer with these, so I’ve got some stories and tips to share.
First steps
First off, I started by looking everywhere for openings. I mean everywhere. I scoured company websites, checked out job boards, and even cold-emailed a few places I really liked. It was a grind, to be honest. I tailored each application, spent hours making sure my resume was decent enough, and I prepped for interviews like crazy. You wouldn’t believe how many times I practiced my answers in front of a mirror.
The internship experience
I landed a couple of internships, and let me tell you, they were eye-opening. One was with a small independent music PR firm in Los Angeles, “2b Entertainment.” They specialized in public relations and media relations for musicians. Sounds cool, right? It was, but it was also a ton of work. I was their intern, which meant I did everything from writing press releases, creating social media content to making coffee. No joke, some days it felt like I was just a glorified coffee runner. But I learned a lot about the music industry and how PR works, even if it was just from observation.
Another internship I had was related to themed entertainment, more on the production side of things. This one was wild because I got to see how live events and shows were put together from the ground up. My role involved assisting the production team, setting up equipment, and coordinating with different departments. It was pretty hands-on, which I loved. I got a real sense of the teamwork and creativity involved, but boy, were the hours long. I pulled some all-nighters, that’s for sure.
Key takeaways
- Learn by doing (and observing): Even when I was doing the grunt work, I made sure to pay attention to what was happening around me.
- Network like crazy: I met so many people during these internships. Some were just fellow interns, but others were seasoned professionals. I tried to connect with as many as possible, even if it was just a quick chat.
- Ask questions (but be smart about it): I wasn’t afraid to ask questions, but I also made sure they were thoughtful and relevant. Nobody wants to answer the same basic question a million times.
- It’s a marathon, not a sprint: These internships lasted for several weeks, sometimes even a whole semester plus the summer. It was a long haul, and I had to pace myself to avoid burning out. I learned to take breaks when needed and to celebrate small victories along the way.
The end results
At the end of each internship, I had to give a presentation about what I learned and worked on. This was nerve-wracking, but it also forced me to reflect on my experience and articulate my accomplishments. Plus, I got to hear about what other interns had been up to, which was always interesting. After all that, I walked away with some real-world experience, a better understanding of the entertainment industry, and a clearer idea of what I wanted to do (and didn’t want to do) in my career. These experiences were invaluable. I had successes, and many failures, but at least I tried and got them.
So, that’s my story on entertainment internships. It’s a wild ride, but if you’re serious about breaking into the industry, it’s definitely worth it. Just be prepared to work hard, learn a lot, and maybe make a few coffee runs along the way. Trust me, it’s all part of the journey.
