Black Entertainment Television Internships: Launching Your Career in Media
Black Entertainment Television (BET) offers a range of internships designed to cultivate the next generation of media professionals. These opportunities provide students and recent graduates with invaluable experience in a dynamic and influential environment. BET internships serve as a launchpad for careers in the entertainment industry, offering hands-on experience and exposure to various facets of media production and management.
The BET Internship Experience: A Mutually Beneficial Partnership
BET Networks aims to enhance and develop creative and hardworking students, preparing them for their desired careers. The internship program is committed to identifying and nurturing talent, fostering a high level of motivation and morale. It also assists interns in developing their career goals and maximizing their potential, with the possibility of becoming future employees.
Interns are considered integral members of their respective departments, contributing ideas, actively participating in meetings, and performing general administrative and production-related tasks. The ideal candidate is a reliable multi-tasker who is knowledgeable in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook programs.
Internship Opportunities Across Diverse Departments
BET offers internships in a variety of departments, providing opportunities for students with diverse interests and skill sets:
- Ad Sales: This department focuses on selling air time for the network and digital services. Interns work with advertisers and clients to promote their products and movies across BET's platforms.
- Business Affairs & Legal: This department manages the legal affairs and provides counsel for all aspects of the company's operations across all media platforms globally. Areas covered include Corporate Compliance, Entertainment, Labor, Litigation, Intellectual Property, and Affiliate matters. Interns may assist in drafting and negotiating contracts for original programming and advising other departments on legal and business issues.
- Business Operations: This department is responsible for the consolidation, analysis, and reporting of financial plans. Interns provide input, process, and analytical support for forecasting and planning, and review actuals, forecasts, budgets, and strategic plans with the Accounting Department.
- Corporate Communications (PR): This department serves as the primary liaison between BET Networks and the media, promoting original and music programming, mega-specials, and more.
- BET Mobile: This department focuses on the creation of new mobile application features and the integration of mobile into TV programming.
- Original Programming (Current & In Development): This department creates and oversees original television series for the Urban demographic. Internships are available in various areas within original programming, including:
- Reality
- Scripted
- General/All
- New York Office
- Production: Interns in this area work with production teams in the field.
- Post Production: This department handles audio and video editing of programs for broadcast TV, including logging raw footage tapes and delivering air masters to BET Master Control.
- Talent/Casting: This department scouts for talent and cast required for BET Original Programs and Specials. Responsibilities may include reading trade magazines, summarizing trades, videotaping, setting up casting sessions, and creating casting/show notebooks. Knowledge of talent, actors, and directors is an advantage.
- Writer's Room: Interns work with writers on various scripted shows, read scripts, and provide coverage.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for a BET internship, applicants generally must:
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- Receive academic credit for the internship.
- Be a college undergraduate, graduate student, or enrolled in a Technical School Program. (High school students are typically not eligible.)
The Value of Internships: A Stepping Stone to Success
Internships provide a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience, develop professional skills, and build a network of contacts in the industry. Studies show that students who intern are twice as likely to secure a full-time role after graduation.
Interning as a graduate student offers a unique set of advantages, including the opportunity to make and learn from mistakes without serious consequences, explore different sub-industries, and gain clarity on career aspirations. However, it can also be a humbling experience, as there may be many qualified applicants with more work experience.
Overcoming Challenges and Maximizing Opportunities
Securing an internship can be competitive, and facing rejection is not uncommon. However, it's important to view rejection as an opportunity to learn and improve. Focus on gaining experience at smaller organizations to develop essential skills and knowledge.
BET: A Brand with Impact
BET is more than just a network; it's a cultural institution that resonates with millions of viewers. BET uplifts audiences by celebrating characters and real-life figures that transcend stereotypes and barriers. Interning at BET offers the opportunity to contribute to a brand that has a significant impact on the Black community and beyond.
Disney's Commitment to HBCUs
The Walt Disney Company is committed to building a long-term pipeline of talent from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through student internships, mentorship opportunities, and inclusive hiring practices. The Disney on the Yard Innovation Challenge provides HBCU students with a platform to showcase their skills and talents through Disney-prompted projects. Disney Future Storytellers is the company's commitment to inspiring the next generation of storytellers and innovators.
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tags: #black #entertainment #television #internships
