Finding the 'Dream' Internship with Disney

Winter quarter is recruiting madness—or so I've heard. As someone interested in an entertainment internship, my recruiting madness began later and more gradually. I have witnessed the madness that my banker, consultant, or CPG [consumer packaged goods] marketing friends have had to endure. While far from jealous of the process, I will not hide my jealousy at their having secured their summers in January or February when my prospects were still a twinkle in an HR rep's eye. But the entertainment folks soldier on, secure in the knowledge that we are following our passion and that our financial models and valuations will be infinitely more interesting than our earlier employed colleagues. Self delusion being an asset in the entertainment world, I believe my last sentence shows how ready I am for the industry.

Not to be outdone by their recruiting madness, I secured an academic internship at Fox (NWS) in the international distribution group within sales and strategic planning division. Having moved myself, my boyfriend, and all my books across the country from New York to L.A. for this kind of industry access, I expected a lot from the internship. It delivered completely. With all due respect to corporate finance, operations, and marketing II, Fox was the highlight of my winter quarter. It reinforced my desire to work in the film industry and, in addition to UCLA Anderson itself, justified my departure from New York. I will caution that an academic internship is a logistical challenge; as an MBA student, you are already pulled in many directions. Adding one more direction almost broke me. However, I, gaining invaluable industry insight and an appreciation for the variety of skills needed to thrive within the studio system, lived to tell the tale.