Looking Back on My College Years
Getting an Internship: My College Regret
Back in my college days, I was pretty sensible about how I spent my time. I focused on my studies to prepare for my future career. But if I could re-do one thing, I’d definitely take advantage of getting an internship.
I didn’t hear much about internships in college, especially not for stage management. Fast forward to a Broadway Stage Management Symposium, and it struck me – I’d missed an opportunity. One of the stage managers on a panel shared her journey on Broadway and mentioned that she got her start through an internship she endeavored to land from a small, unknown school, contrary to the popular schools with strong Broadway connections like Yale, Columbia, North Carolina School of the Arts, and SUNY New Paltz.
She knew she did not have a big network to back her up, so she hustled hard. She grabbed as many Broadway playbills she could, made a list of Broadway stage managers, and targeted the theaters they had previously worked at for internships. Incredibly ingenious and determined, right?
The practical experience and real-world insights that come from an internship could have set me up better for my first job after college. So, I turned to the internet for the experiences of those who did take up stage management internships.
Jessica stands out. She completed three internships during college, each one getting better and more aligned with her career goals. Interestingly, she found her footing at the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), an annual event full of theatre-related opportunities, including internships.
Post-college, Jessica interned for the Broadway musical Wicked in NYC. Though it was unpaid and short-term, she rated it an amazing experience that kick-started her career. It was feasible because she only had to finance a month in NYC. Extended unpaid internships can become a financial burden in big cities.
Erin loved her internship and viewed her efforts as a pioneer since her college did not offer much support for internships at that time, it didn’t stop her.
Meanwhile, Becky landed her internship thanks to alumni from her school, and she even returned for a second summer. It was her stepping stone into professional theatre and gave her a peek into the real world application of her studies.
But hey, internships are not always smooth sailing. Many interns reported not being included in the team, asked to do irrelevant work, forced into roles normally paid, or simply being assigned to get coffee. And some internships could cost you living expenses with little to no practical learning.
Jessica herself bore the brunt of a bad internship at first but it didn’t dampen her spirits. She balanced a part-time job from high school with a ‘general’ internship close to home. Though the experience was far from rewarding, she bounced back with better opportunities.
It’s crucial to consider whether an internship is paid or unpaid. You shouldn’t write off an unpaid internship straight away but rather weigh its benefits against the expenses. For instance, unpaid internships that offer accommodation could be cheaper than low-paid ones where you have to sort out your housing.
So, where could you find these internships? Online resources like SETC, URTA, Playbill, and OffstageJobs would be a great start. Or if you have a particular theater in mind, you can check their website or contact them directly about potential internship opportunities.
Have you had an internship experience? Did it turn out to be worthwhile?