Monday, March 10, 2014

Internships with 21st Century Fox



I was recently invited to visit 21st Century Fox studios for a luncheon and internship program presentation. Yes, my humble feet walked the same grounds that Zooey Deschanel, Mindy Kaling, and Homer Simpson roam daily. D’OH! Maybe not that last one, but you get the picture.

I was able to connect with recruitment managers and staff from a variety of departments. We even got to chat with previous interns whom are now full-time members of the Fox family. I was impressed by the many areas that interns can get involved with through the corporation’s diverse departments such as television, film, news, and beyond. Unfortunately, our much-needed California rainstorm got in the way of the studio tour but not before I snapped a few pictures of the lot and Zooey’s parking spot.

Internship Opportunities: 
The larger Intern Program at Fox offers opportunities in various locations such as New York, D.C., San Diego, Chicago, and more. Positions are available in Fall, Spring and Summer sessions. The typical Summer application deadline is April 1st. You may notice that the start date is during our final exam week, however the hiring manager assured me that Fox is flexible for accepted interns. The Program provides an unforgettable first-hand experience allowing participants to work on a variety of assignments and projects in various departments around the company.

Applicants must be sophomore level or above, Master level students are accepted, and previous internship or work experience is preferred. Recent graduates cannot apply to the internships, but they can consider the six month Apprentice Programs which recruits in November for Spring graduates.
The internship opportunities vary with each media group, network, and location, so be sure to browse online: http://www.foxcareers.com/#/internships

The Finance/Accounting Rotation Program is a highly selective program for recent undergraduates with a passion for the entertainment industry. Applicants should have a strong entrepreneurial desire, leadership and analytical skills, Excel experience, and previous internship experience is a plus. The program mirrors the finance rotation models of the Big 4. Typically, the deadline is April 1st for an August start date.

Fox Group Legal also offers a Diversity Legal Internship Program for first year law students. Interns spend five weeks with an outside partner and five weeks with Fox Group Legal. There are smaller-scale legal internship available throughout the year.

Tips from Recruitment Team:
The hiring managers provided insight to the application process and reiterated that the resume is important. Their top resume suggestions: avoid including photographs (you’re not applying to be an actor!), proofread for errors, and provide a link to an online portfolio or LinkedIn profile. Also, be sure to select all areas of interest when applying online. They also suggested networking with Fox staff to conduct informational interviews and learn more about the opportunities.

Advice from Former Interns:
The panel of former interns strongly encouraged interested applicants to research and network with individuals at Fox. Suggestions included conducting informational interviews, being persistent and grateful, tailoring the resume, and showing sincere interest and passion about Fox. Previous interns also noted that participation in case competitions and projects during school can help set you apart from other applicants, especially if you are an applicant lacking internship experience.