Your Guide to Media Programs & Fellowships
Navigating college as a student in the broad field of media and communications can be a very daunting process for a lot of students. And with that, comes the added pressure of wanting to land internships or find spaces of community and mentorship. All these help you on your way to figuring out what you want to do post-grad or simply to better understand your interests.
I understand that resources and opportunities can be hard to come by, but fear not! Through my networking experiences, I’ve come to hear about a number of must-know organizations and programs involving internship and mentorship opportunities for students and I’ve compiled them in a list for you.
Many of the opportunities below will especially be of interest to BIPOC students as many of these organizations and programs have the goal of diversifying the media landscape and providing opportunities for students from underrepresented communities.
“The Big Three”-- For all media interests:
Applicable to: All Undergrad Students
Deadline: Rolling Application- open now!
The Emma Bowen Foundation has established itself at the forefront of promoting a more diverse media industry and believes that diversity is important in all aspects of the media and tech industries. Emma Bowen provides students of color with multi-year paid internships at some of the nation's leading media and tech companies- meaning once accepted, you will be guaranteed internships for the summers to come! When applying, students select one of three program tracks: Business of Media, Content of Media, and Innovation of Media. Undergrads of all class standings can apply to the program. Applications typically open in the fall, but are rolling- you can still apply now to be considered for this Summer!
Applicable to: Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors
Deadline: October (early), December (final)
The T. Howard Foundation is dedicated to increasing diversity in the media and entertainment industry and does this through providing opportunities for diverse and underrepresented groups and underserved communities. College Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors can apply for their Internship Program- applications are typically due in Late October and Late December for their early application deadline and final deadline respectively. Students go through an application and interview process and if selected, become a part of their prestigious Final Talent Pool (FTP) which places you at a better advantage to secure a full-time paid summer internship at one of their major partner companies and access to networking opportunities, professional development training, scholarships, mentors and more. I have been a Final Talent Pool member since December 2020 and am happy to speak more about the organization and the application process!
Applicable to: Juniors & Seniors
Due Date: late January
The International Radio and Television Society Foundation, more commonly known as IRTS is an organization with the goal of “Building Future Media Leaders” and expanding media opportunities for people of all backgrounds. Their Summer Fellows Program is a coveted and selective 9-week fellowship program, where accepted applicants will be set up with an internship at one of their major partner companies, learn industry insights from top executives, and have mentoring and access to the IRTS network. Juniors and Seniors are eligible to apply to this program, and applications are typically due in January.
For all undergrads, IRTS annually hosts their Multicultural Career Workshop in the fall. I had the privilege of attending their very first virtual version of the event in November 2020 and it’s a fantastic multi-day conference where students have the opportunity to listen to speakers from major companies and gain a greater understanding of the range of the media business and how to position themselves for future opportunities. I highly recommend this event!
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Advertising, Marketing, and PR:
Applicable to: Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors
Due Date: January (early), late February (final)
The LAGRANT Foundation is a non-profit with the mission of increasing the number of ethnic minorities (BIPOC) in the fields of advertising, marketing, and public relations by providing scholarships, career & professional development workshops. Undergrad students of Freshmen, Sophomores, Junior standing can apply to their Scholarship Program where recipients are awarded a $2500 scholarship, career & professional development workshops, and potentially access and connections to internship opportunities.
MADE (Marketing & Advertising Education) Internship Program
Applicable to: Juniors & Seniors
Application Window: September-January
MADE is a national internship program with the goal of “leveling the playing field” for students of all backgrounds, universities, and majors that matches students with summer marketing & advertising internships at top companies. The program is open to college Juniors and Seniors, with the application window typically opening in September and closing in January. Along with the internship, MADE students are matched with a mentor, access to exclusive executive speaker series, and networking among other opportunities.
Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP)
Applicable to: Juniors & Seniors
Deadline: October
MAIP is a 22-week national fellowship program for aspiring BIPOC entry-level advertising professionals, done by the 4A's Foundation. Juniors and Seniors of color are welcome to apply, with the application typically due in October. The program is comprised of 12 weeks of virtual spring training and a 10-week paid summer internship at prestigious advertising agencies as participants will have access to MAIP Coaching and professional development MAIP Labs and more. The 4A's Foundation also offers additional Scholarships & Awards opportunities.
PR Agency-Ready Certificate Program
Applicable to: All Undergrad Students
Deadline: Rolling Application- open now!
The Agency-Ready Certificate Program is facilitated by the PR Council open to all undergrad students who are interested and register on their site. Students in the free program participate in agency leader-led webinars on important areas from social media strategy to crisis communications as well as hearing from agency professionals on industry insights and professional development. The program will be happening for the second time this summer and students can start registering in May.
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Major Org Programs:
Applicable to: Juniors & Seniors
Application Window: January-March
The Academy Gold Rising Program is a talent development, diversity, and inclusion initiative designed to enhance internship experiences under the Academy of Motion Picture Sciences brand. Juniors and Seniors are eligible to apply for this program, with an application window typically between January and March. The program is an eight-week summer educational and networking experience in areas such as film entertainment, technology, production services and digital media.
The Walt Disney Company UNCF Corporate Scholars Program
Applicable to: Juniors
Application Window: December-February
This program is done in a collaboration between the Walt Disney Company and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), with the intention of helping create a diverse pipeline of college-educated professionals poised to pursue careers in entertainment through the summer internship experience. Black/African-American college Juniors can apply to the program where selected students receive both a $2,500 scholarship and a Summer internship working directly with The Walt Disney Company- typically the application window is between December and February. UNCF has plenty of scholarships and programs available to look into!
Applicable to: Juniors & Seniors
Application Window: November-January
The Television Academy Foundation (Emmy’s) has their signature Summer Internship and Summer Fellows programs for students interested in entertainment careers in television. Interns and Fellows are hosted at major media companies from HBO to Disney and a provided with exclusive access to workshops with executives and mentorship opportunities.
For more business-inclined students, I recommend checking out the following mentorship-internship programs:
MLT Career Prep Program
I hope this was helpful! You’re totally welcome to bookmark this article or keep it in your back pocket to refer to when application seasons are approaching. Feel free to reach out to me, Mz2675@nyu.edu if you have any questions or want to hear more!
