BET Networks Internships: Launching Your Career in Media

Undergraduate summers present a pivotal opportunity to gain professional experience and build connections. Instead of reverting to familiar high school jobs, consider internships that align with your career aspirations. BET Networks offers internships that provide invaluable experience in the media industry, particularly for those interested in African-American culture and entertainment.

The Value of Internships

Internships offer a unique chance to merge academic knowledge with practical application. They provide on-the-job training, enhance your education, and prepare you for future careers. Beyond the specific skills learned, internships also allow you to:

Make Professional Connections: Build relationships with industry professionals who can offer guidance and support throughout your career.
Gain Valuable Work Experience: Acquire hands-on experience in your field of interest, making you a more competitive candidate for future job opportunities.
Explore Career Paths: Discover different roles and responsibilities within the media industry, helping you to refine your career goals.

BET Networks Internship Program

BET Networks offers a year-round internship program to students from various colleges, universities, and partner organizations nationwide. This paid, 10-week internship program is available in diverse settings, including locations in California, Washington D.C., Illinois, Georgia, and New York. The program is primarily open to college juniors and seniors, although some departments also consider graduate and law school students.

Departments and Opportunities

BET Networks internships span various departments, offering a wide range of experiences:

Ad Sales: Assist with advertising sales strategies and initiatives.
Affiliate Sales: Support the team responsible for managing relationships with affiliate partners.
Business Affairs & Legal: Gain exposure to the legal aspects of the company's operations across all media platforms, including corporate compliance, entertainment, labor, litigation, intellectual property, and affiliate matters.
Business Operations: Contribute to the consolidation, analysis, and reporting of financial plans, providing analytical support for forecasting and planning.
BET Mobile: Participate in the creation of new mobile application features and the integration of mobile into TV programming.
Finance: Assist with financial planning, analysis, and reporting.
Human Resources: Support various HR functions, such as recruitment, employee relations, and training.
Legal: Work alongside legal professionals on a variety of legal matters.
Marketing: Contribute to marketing campaigns and initiatives.
Network Operations: Assist with the technical operations of the network.
Original Programming (Current & In Development): Support the development and production of original programming.
Post Production: Participate in audio and/or video editing of programs for broadcast TV.
Programming: Assist with programming planning and scheduling.
Talent/ Casting: Scout for talent and cast members for BET Original Programs and Specials, involving tasks like reading trade magazines, videotaping, setting up casting sessions, and creating casting/show notebooks.
Digital Media Producer: Contribute to the creation of digital media content.

Each department has specific requirements and responsibilities, so it's essential to research the options and identify the best fit for your interests and skills.

Read also: Internships at Big Ten Network

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a BET Networks internship, you must be a college undergraduate, graduate student, or enrolled in a technical school program. The program is not open to high school students.

Making the Most of Your Internship

An internship is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a lasting impression. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

Be Enthusiastic: A positive attitude goes a long way. Show enthusiasm for your tasks, whether you're transcribing an interview or conducting research.
Create Ultimate Goals: Determine what you hope to gain from the internship and communicate your goals to your manager. This will allow them to tailor the program to your interests.
Be Social: Get to know your fellow interns, managers, and colleagues. Ask about their career paths and how they've overcome challenges. However, avoid sharing too much personal information.
Don't Gossip or Whine: Refrain from participating in or enabling gossip, whining, or ranting. Also, be mindful of what you say online, as your social media activity can have professional consequences.
Be a Proactive Problem Solver: Complete your assigned tasks and then go above and beyond by showing initiative. Instead of asking what to do next, pitch relevant suggestions to your manager.
Ask Questions and Listen: Don't be afraid to ask questions and admit when you don't know something. Be a good listener and welcome constructive criticism.
Keep Up with Current Events: Stay informed about relevant news and industry trends. This will help you to engage in intelligent conversations and demonstrate your commitment to your profession.
Report Abusive Employers: If you experience illegal, unethical, discriminatory, or harassing behavior, contact your college's career services department.
Keep in Touch: Schedule wrap-up lunches and send thank-you notes to your managers and supervisors. Maintaining contact with these individuals can benefit your future job prospects.

Additional Internship Opportunities

While BET Networks offers a specific focus on media and entertainment, numerous other internship programs cater to diverse interests and career paths. Here are a few examples:

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Pitts Family Foundation: Offers a paid 10-week summer internship program for minority students interested in journalism and science writing, located in Washington, D.C.
Department of Education (ED) Design Studio Internship Program: An unpaid position working closely with various offices within the Department of Education, suitable for students passionate about using design to improve the world.
Department of Education (ED) Internships: Offers unpaid internships in the fall, winter/spring, and summer for students interested in federal education policy and administration.
ESSENCE Summer Internship Program: A 9-week paid learning experience for students interested in media and issues related to African-American women.
Explore Microsoft: A 12-week summer internship program specifically designed for college underclassmen (freshmen and sophomores), offering a rotational experience in different software engineering roles.
Minority Access National Internship Program (MAIP): A paid internship that provides students with the opportunity to merge academic theory with practical application in the federal government and other participating entities, including professional development workshops and seminars.
Division III Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant: A two-year grant program providing funding for entry-level administrative positions at NCAA Division III schools and conference offices to encourage access, recruitment, selection, and long-term success of ethnic minorities and women.
Opportunity Finance Network: Offers several paid internships across the organization for graduate and undergraduate students, providing a unique opportunity to learn about the CDFI industry and contribute to projects transforming disadvantaged communities.
TV One: Offers an academic credit internship program for college and university students in various departments such as Ad Sales, Affiliate Sales, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Marketing, Network Operations, Programming, and Digital Media Producer.
The White House Internship Program: Offers students the opportunity to work at the White House, contributing to various tasks such as conducting research, managing inquiries, attending meetings, writing memos, and staffing events.

Paramount Internship Program

Paramount, like BET Networks, also offers a robust internship program designed to provide students with valuable experience in the entertainment industry. The program focuses on professional development, business learning, mentorship, networking, and wellness.

Key Features of the Paramount Internship Program:

Professional Development: Focuses on goal setting, resume building, actioning on feedback, and building your personal brand.
Business Learning: Provides opportunities to hear from Executives at Paramount and learn more about the media/entertainment industry.
Mentorship: Aligns every intern with an informal mentor to help them navigate their summer at Paramount.
Networking & Social: Offers a mix of in-person and virtual events to meet fellow interns.
Wellness: Prioritizes mental, physical, and financial wellbeing through a variety of events throughout the summer.

Paramount Intern Testimonials

Many Paramount interns have shared positive experiences, highlighting the inclusive and welcoming environment, the opportunity to contribute to important projects, and the valuable hands-on experience gained. Some notable quotes from past interns include:

Read also: Landing Your Dream Internship

"Being part of a team of engineers who are constantly advancing the world of entertainment was an exciting experience! I took a deep dive into the developing world of cloud production, learning how television broadcasts can be created and streamed virtually anywhere, any place, at any time."
"Paramount has been such a warm and welcoming environment for growth and learning. I interned for the company for two summers. As an intern, you're able to voice your opinion, have coffee chats with people in the company, and raise your hand to help with other tasks."
"Working for Paramount was the best work experience. Everyone here is very inclusive, welcoming, and in some ways all of the interns are like one big family. I am so happy that I got this opportunity."
"There aren’t enough words to describe how impactful and amazing my internship was."
"I chose Paramount for its organized and structured internship program that exposed me to various departments of work, new people, and valuable professional skills. My favorite part of my publicity internship was my team's attentiveness and support to help me learn and grow professionally as much as possible during my short time."
"This was my second year interning with Paramount. Over these past two summers, I have made some of the best memories of life! As an intern at Paramount, you are treated as an employee and an equal. I felt welcomed in every room and was always encouraged to share my ideas and opinions. What truly makes Paramount stick out was how many important projects interns get to support and the real impact they have on the company. You are granted so much trust, and gain real hands-on experience."
"I chose Paramount because of their great IP and how much it values its interns. The Creative Team at Paramount Pictures Global Partnerships was a dream! Every person, even outside of my team, wanted me to succeed."
"I chose Paramount because I was looking for an introduction into media and entertainment, and I found an outstanding team and great friends. I would recommend the Paramount Internship program to anyone."

Paramount Internship FAQs

Do you hire interns who are not currently enrolled at an accredited college/university? No, Paramount only hires interns who are currently enrolled at an accredited college/university. However, they offer exciting opportunities for recent college graduates through post-grad development programs and other full-time roles.
Will I receive individual status feedback on my application? Due to the high volume of candidates, Paramount cannot provide individual status feedback. If your experience is a fit for one of their open roles, you will hear directly from one of their Recruiters.
Do you recruit for post-graduate work opportunities? Yes, Paramount recruits for a variety of post-graduate work opportunities. The Paramount careers page will include the programs they are currently recruiting for.
Are the internship postings for specific positions, or are there various opportunities in similar departments? For those listed by functional area (i.e. Internships, Marketing), there are various opportunities in similar departments. For those listed as specific positions (i.e. CBS Sports Data Engineering Intern), there is only one opportunity.

Read also: YES Network Internships

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