Scope

The Peter Roth Internship Program, named in honor of the legendary television executive, offers 20 talented undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds, underserved communities, and underrepresented groups in the media and entertainment industry an unrivaled paid apprenticeship experience for those interested in a career in television. This prestigious internship has been created to inspire the next generation of television professionals to embody Peter Roth’s visionary ideals including his commitment to innovative storytelling, his love for writers, and his passion for the art form of television. The program will also underscore the critical importance of nurturing a diverse array of creative voices and portrayals on television—a hallmark of Peter Roth’s career.

The program will create ongoing access and opportunity to help build more diversity in the industry and inspire the next generation of television professionals.

Program

The Paley Center will offer students a comprehensive, paid internship that expands upon the institution’s long-running accredited internship programs and includes three key components for an unparalleled educational experience. Using the renowned Paley Archive and its unmatched collection of television programming, the Paley Center will offer an extensive course to better understand the importance of diverse voices and portrayals on television.  They will also attend guest lectures, meet-and-greets, and Q&A sessions with television executives, talent, showrunners, writers, and other members of a creative team to gain an appreciation for the art of storytelling. The program will also include first-hand experience working at the Paley Center, along with site visits to networks, sets, and studios to provide a valuable understanding of the business side of television.

The internship takes place November 4, 2021, through July 14, 2022.

The breakdown is as follows:
From November 4, 2021, through June 6, 2022:

• Program events will be conducted 2 Thursdays per month – from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm ET – for a total of 28 hours (4 hours/month for 7 months) – unless time is shifted to allow participation in a Paley program that is in the early morning, evening, or on the weekend

From June 7, 2022, through July 14, 2022:

• Program will be conducted Tuesday through Thursday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm ET – total of 120 hours (20 hours/week for 6 weeks), unless time is shifted to allow participation in a Paley program that is in the early morning, evening, or on the weekend

Unless determined otherwise by guidelines from the CDC and federal, state, and local authorities in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this internship is in-person in New York.  However, exceptions will be made for a virtual option for students attending school on campus during November 4, 2021 to June 6, 2022.  On June 7, 2022, all interns are required to be in-person in New York until July 14, 2022.

Interns will be paid $15.00/hr.

Application

The application closes on July 8, 2021 at 5:00 pm ET.

Applicants must be undergraduate students who are rising juniors and seniors and currently enrolled in a college degree program at an accredited college/university with a GPA of 3.2 or higher.  The selection is highly competitive and based on a combination of criteria including evidence of exemplary academic achievement and exceptional leadership skills.  Students from diverse backgrounds and underserved communities are strongly encouraged to apply.

For a complete application, please provide:

• Resume and cover letter

• Answers to the 4 essay questions

• 2 letters of recommendation from either a professor, a school advisor, or a current/former supervisor who can speak about your education work or background, character or professional competence, and interest in the entertainment, media and television field (please provide contact information such as email address and phone number for references to be reached for follow-up)

• 1 writing sample for collegiate coursework (at most 4 pages) related to media and/or the media industry are encouraged, but not required
• Transcript (while an unofficial transcript is acceptable for the initial application process, all Finalists will be required to submit an official school transcript. Finalists only will be reimbursed if there is a cost from the school to obtain an official transcript)

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