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CSU Media Interns at Channel 7, San Francisco
CSU Media Interns at Channel 7, San Francisco
 

 

 

 

 1. What is the CSU Media Internship Program?
2. How can I apply?
3. Who is eligible to apply?
4. I am a graduated CSU student. Am I eligible?
5. Are there other ways to enroll besides my home campus?
6. What are the minimum eligibility requirements?
7. My GPA is 2.90. Can I still apply?
8. Which GPA should I count: local, transferred or overall?
9. How should I go about getting a faculty recommendation?
10. Do I also need the faculty to write a letter of recommendation?
11. Can I get a faculty recommendation from a non-Media professor?
12. Are internships offered only in the summer?
13. Can I apply to multiple internships through both centers?
14. I don't see any internship I like. Should I wait to apply until I find one?
15. When is the best time to apply?
16. Does applying confirm getting the internship?
17. It's been more than a week since I applied and I haven't heard from an Executive
Director. What's the hold up?
18. I got a rejection letter from the CSU office saying my application was not strong
enough. When can I apply again?
19. I did not get through the final interview. Can I reapply for another internship?
20. When and where is housing available?
21. I have a show-reel to show. Where can I send it?
22. How long should my resume and cover letter be?
23. Are these internships paid?
24. Who do I go to if I have to report a problem during my internship?



1. What is the CSU Media Internship Program? TOP
Part of the Entertainment Industry Initiative funded by the Chancellor's Office, the media internship program provides internship opportunities in a wide range of areas of the media/entertainment industry to statewide CSU students. The program operates through two centers: Internship Hollywood, based at Cal State Los Angeles for internships in Southern California, and Internship Bay Area, based at San Francisco State University for internships in the Bay Area.


2. How can I apply? TOP
Click on "How to Apply" on the website to get information about applying. Applications and other requested material must be emailed to mediainterns@calstate.edu only. DO NOT email or mail any documents to the Executive Directors.


3. Who is eligible to apply? TOP
All CSU students are eligible to apply. Please check the "How to Apply" section on the website to learn the necessary steps. The program requires that students be enrolled in an internship class before starting to work.


4. I am a graduated CSU student. Am I eligible? TOP
Yes, graduated students are eligible to apply as long as they can still enroll into an internship class. Please check with your department or the Registrar's Office to find out if you are eligible to enroll.


5. Are there other ways to enroll besides my home campus? TOP
Yes, you can enroll through Extended Education at either Cal State Los Angeles or San Francisco State University.


6. What are the minimum eligibility requirements? TOP
Apart from a CSU affiliation, the applicant needs a GPA of 3.0 or above, strong faculty recommendation(s), a well-crafted resume and a representative cover letter. Professional references are not mandatory, however we encourage you to provide one even if the job is not related to your field of study.


7. My GPA is 2.90. Can I still apply? TOP
Slightly lower GPAs will be entertained only if the faculty recommendation is very strong. Also, in the cover letter, student applicants should explain why their GPA was lower than 3.0.


8. Which GPA should I count: local, transferred or overall? TOP
We consider overall GPA as a standard, but students can use their local GPA.


9. How should I go about getting a faculty recommendation? TOP
This is a very important part of your application. We require you to write the names of one or two references on your application. After verifying their status, we contact them with a simple questionnaire about you that reflects your ability to work in a specific area under a professional environment. For this reason, it is crucial that you refer to a faculty member who best knows you and your work in the area you are applying for.


10. Do I also need the faculty to write a letter of recommendation? TOP
No. You only need to provide the faculty member's name, phone number and email address. We will then check to verify that they are current CSU Faculty and email them a questionnaire.


11. Can I get a faculty recommendation from a non-Media professor? TOP
You need a faculty recommendation from a professor who can speak to your skill level for the types of internships you're interested in. In most cases, this will be a Media faculty. But if, for example, you're applying for a "script reader" internship, you could use an English/Lit. professor. If you're interested in several very different internships, please have two faculty references that address your different skill sets.


12. Are internships offered only in the summer? TOP
Although summer is our main focus, internships are available year-round. However, housing assistance is only available during summer.


13. Can I apply to multiple internships through both centers? TOP
Yes, you can apply to multiple internships available in both Hollywood and the Bay Area. Please click on the box labeled "either" in the application form. Also indicate the type of internship you are looking for.


14. I don't see any internship I like. Should I wait to apply until I find one? TOP
The internship program not only provides a range of opportunities for students but also tries to match their needs. It is preferable to write at least three specific internships that you're interested in from the internship postings on the website. This will help the Executive Directors place you into specific jobs. If those positions get filled, the Executive Directors will be able to substitute another suitable position, or even an Internship that you haven't thought of. If you do not see any internships listed in your area of interest (i.e. studio accounting or other business position), please state as clearly as possible on your application what area(s) you are interested in.


15. When is the best time to apply? TOP
NOW! Do not wait, since this is a competitive program. We receive applications from over 15 CSU campuses and we process them on a first-come, first-serve basis.


16. Does applying confirm getting the internship? TOP
NO. Application is step one. We carefully go through your resume, cover letter and then follow up on your faculty recommendation. If you do not meet the minimum requirements your will not qualify for an internship. Approved applications are forwarded to the employers who will call you for an interview (in person or by telephone). The employer makes the final decision.


17. It's been more than a week since I applied and I haven't heard from an Executive Director. What's the hold up? TOP
The Executive Directors will not contact you until we hear back from your faculty reference(s). If the faculty are slow to respond to us, this will delay your application. In addition, if you apply at or near a deadline for summer, fall or spring, it may take a little longer to process your application because of high volume. If you have not received a communication from an Executive Director two weeks after you emailed your application, please email Sean Mitchell for Northern California and Robert Vianello for Southern California.


18. I got a rejection letter from the CSU office saying my application was not strong enough. When can I apply again? TOP
If your application is denied by the CSU internship team before sending it to the employer, you will have to wait until the following semester to apply.


19. I did not get through the final interview. Can I reapply for another internship? TOP
Yes, you can reapply immediately for another internship if you don't make it in the first one.


20. When and where is housing available? TOP
Housing is available during summer for selected interns at Cal State Los Angeles and at San Francisco State. If you are selected for an internship and do not already live in Los Angeles or the San Francisco Bay area, housing will be provided for you. More information can be found by clicking the "Housing" link.


21. I have a show-reel to show. Where can I send it? TOP
At this point, we are not accepting any creative work/portfolio from students. We only require the online application and other documents. Do not send any additional material.


22. How long should my resume and cover letter be? TOP
ONE PAGE each. No exceptions. Make sure you address the cover letter to the appropriate Executive Director.


23. Are these internships paid? TOP
With very few exceptions, these are essentially unpaid internships, offered for class credits only.


24. Who do I go to if I have to report a problem during my internship? TOP
If you have any issues with your employer, nature of work or any other work related problems, you must first talk to the Executive Director for your region. They have exclusive relationships with the employers and will be more than willing to help you.