Internships

Internship Resources

Why sign up for an internship?

Undergraduate Film and Media Studies students are eligible for internships in a variety of film, visual arts, and media areas as soon as they have completed 36 credits toward their degrees. They can then earn either 3 or 6 credits toward their degrees by successfully completing an internship (see below for how to do this).

We strongly encourage students to participate in internships early in their Film and Media Studies careers. Internships can provide invaluable experience by introducing students to the career possibilities open to them upon graduation. They also allow students to determine exactly what aspect of the film and video or media field they would like to work in after graduation.

Internships also open doors with future employers by introducing students to the institutions where they might later find employment. Most organizations or businesses would rather hire someone they know and like than take a chance on an unknown.

Internships look good on resumes; they can be a good source of references for a prospective employer and they generally represent the students' proactive attitudes in a positive light. Finally, there is no substitute for a real-world experience that allows a student to put into action the skills acquired in one's academic pursuits.

Where can I find internships?

  • Handshake is Pitt’s comprehensive career services platform. Go to my.pitt.edu and search for "Handshake" to start applying for internships and jobs and receive invites to career fairs.
  • Check out our list of internship options and reach out to some of the companies and organizations who regularly offer Film and Media Studies internships.
  • Make sure you are on the Film and Media Studies undergraduate email list, where we announce jobs, internships, contests, events, and other opportunities. To get on the email list, declare your Film and Media Studies major at 140 Thackeray hall, or email filmandmedia@pitt.edu and ask to be added to the undergrad email list.
  • Browse the web for other opportunities.  If you see a local organization or a production company that you would like to work with, but they do not have any internship openings listed, try emailing them your resume or portfolio and asking if they will take you on as an intern for academic credit. Lower budget operations would likely be more receptive to direct contact request than a higher budget production.
  • Network by attending Q+A events and introducing yourself to guest speakers who work in the filmmaking industry; put yourself out there and let people know you are friendly, professional, and serious about film and media.

How do I sign up for an internship?

  1. Contact the business and set up an interview or submit a resume. Some businesses will ask for both.
  2. If the student is offered an internship position, the student should contact Dr. Mark Best at mtb6@pitt.edu and complete a Learning Agreement describing the number of hours the student will work and the type of work that the student will undertake. Usually a student works between 10 and 20 hours a week for not more than 12 weeks, keeps an ongoing weekly journal, and writes a 10–12 page paper at the end of the internship reflecting on the student's experiences.

Notice to all Students Interested in Internships:

Please note these internships may require students to work at a facility outside the university, and these facilities may or will require a criminal background check, and an act 33/34 clearance (if applicable), and perhaps a drug screen to determine whether the applicant is qualified to participate in the internship. Additionally, in order to become licensed (when this is applicable), many states will inquire as to whether the applicant has been convicted of a misdemeanor, a felony, or a felonious or illegal act associated with alcohol, and/or substance abuse.