Bellevue College – Digital Media Arts Program Media 250: Internship in Digital Media
GUIDE TO GETTING AN INTERNSHIP
What is an internship? An internship is like a job, but it has several unique characteristics. 1) It’s temporary. The exact length of the internship is determined by the employer. The number of hours per week is not important, but it must be a minimum of 150 total hours. 2) It can be paid or unpaid. 3) The intern receives academic credit through the Bellevue College Digital Media Arts department. The course is Media 250: Internship in Media, which is a 5-credit class. 4) Most importantly, an intern receives ongoing training, supervision, and guidance from an expert in his or her chosen field. If you are simply there to complete work, it is a job. If the employer has the time and capacity to support you, it may be considered an internship. The Internship Coordinator in the Center for Career Connections will determine if a position is eligible for internship credit.
Who needs to get an internship? Any student getting an Associate of Arts or Certificate in Animation and Graphics, Digital Gaming, Digital Video Production, or Web Multimedia Authoring is required to complete an internship.
When do I need to do an internship? You must do the internship during your last quarter at Bellevue College. On rare occasions, students will be granted permission to complete their internship in the second-to-last quarter of their program.
When should I start looking for an internship?
1. Portfolio: You should start preparing for your internship search as soon as you enter the Media program. Digital Media Arts is a very visual field. Employers will want to see evidence of what you can do. You need to have a portfolio. Start compiling projects that you’re proud of and that demonstrate your creative and technical skills. If possible, include projects you’ve worked on outside of school. Try to get your portfolio online so that employers can easily access it, and put the URL on the top of your resume.
2. Resume: You should also start working on your job-search skills immediately. If you wait until the last minute to work on your resume, it’s almost certain to get shortchanged. Many people assume that their job-search skills are fine. Fine is not good enough, especially in a tough economy. See below for more information about how to get help with your resume, cover letter, interviewing, and networking skills.
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3. Search: You should actively begin looking for an internship several months before you want to begin. It takes time to find an internship, especially in such a popular industry. There is no exact formula for how long it takes to find one, so it’s best to plan ahead.
What is the registration deadline? You must register for the Media 250 class at the beginning of your last quarter. The registration process can take some time because you and the employer need to complete the Training Agreement form, the internship needs to get approved by the Internships Coordinator, and the Business Division needs to issue the entry code. Do not procrastinate in getting your paperwork submitted. It is your responsibility to complete the requirements and register before blue card registration ends. View the Bellevue College Enrollment Calendar (http://bellevuecollege.edu/enrollment/calendar/deadlines) for information about deadlines. At the very latest, get everything turned in several days in advance of the final deadline.
Who can help me find an internship? The Academic Internship Program, part the Bellevue College Center for Career Connections, is available to assist you with finding an internship. The Internship Coordinator will give you feedback on your resume and guidance on where to look for an internship. Call (425) 564-2279 to schedule an appointment, and make sure to bring your resume with you to the appointment. Keep in mind that the Internship Coordinator is NOT responsible for placing you in an internship. It is your responsibility to find an appropriate internship for yourself. The Academic Internship Program and the Center for Career Connections staff are available to help you improve your job-search skills and guide you in your search for an internship.
What should I do before meeting with the Internship Coordinator?
1. CONNECT: Create an account on the CONNECT job & internship website: https://bellevue-csm.symplicity.com/students
2. Search Agent: We highly recommend that you setup a Search Agent on the CONNECT website. The Search Agent is a feature that allows you to receive email alerts when new Media internships are posted. This will save you time. You have to set this up – it doesn’t automatically know what you’re looking for. Step-by-step instructions for setting up the Search Agent can be found in a PDF document on the home page of CONNECT called the Guide to Using CONNECT. Call the Center for Career Connections front desk at (425) 564-2279 if you need help logging into CONNECT or setting up a Search Agent.
3. Resume, Cover Letter, & Interview Guides: On the home page of the CONNECT website, you will find three PDF documents: Resume Essentials, Cover Letter Essentials, and Interviewing Essentials. Read all three of these documents very carefully. Most people assume that their job-search skills are fine. Fine is not good enough. You need to be able to communicate your strengths to employers in the most professional way possible. A lot has changed in the job-search world in recent years. These three guides are based on what real employers are telling us – not on books, websites, or tradition. Reading these guides should be the first step of your preparation.
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4. Center for Career Connections: Visit the Center for Career Connections website: http://bellevuecollege.edu/careers. The department offers classes and free workshops on job-search skills, including resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, networking, LinkedIn.com, and salary negotiation. Individual appointments are available with any of the Center’s Career Specialists. Call (425) 564-2279 to schedule an appointment.
5. List of Employers: You are lucky to be in a field that’s fun and interesting. Unfortunately, this means that a lot of people want to do what you want to do. Therefore, there is a lot of competition for jobs and internships. Usually Media employers don’t need to use their time and money recruiting people. So job and internship seekers must seek out the employers. You must actively search for an internship – it won’t just fall in your lap.
We recommend that you become familiar with the Media employers in this area. Visit their websites regularly to see if they have any new jobs/internships posted. At the bottom of this guide you will find a list of Media-related employers in the Puget Sound area. This is not a complete list, but it’s a good place to start. Put these websites on your internet Favorites and check back regularly. Employers have different preferences for how they want to be contacted. If they indicate on their website that they don’t accept unsolicited resumes or phone calls, be respectful of their wishes.
Sometimes Media jobs and internships are available at companies that you would not automatically think of when you think about Media. These days, many companies are using multimedia marketing and product design. Expand your search to include companies that are working on cutting-edge projects.
6. Network: It is commonly said that the best way to find a job is to know people. Some estimate that 80% of jobs (and internships) are obtained through networking. Talk to the people in your life: friends, family, classmates, everyone. If you’re part of a gaming community, talk to them as well. Find local groups and professional associations, and attend their meetings and social events. Tell them what you’re doing in school. Tell them about your career plans. Show them your resume. Tell them you’re looking for an internship, and ask if they know anyone who works in the industry and might know of an opportunity.
7. LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com has become a hugely popular networking and professional development tool. The Center for Career Connections offers a free workshop on LinkedIn each quarter. It’s not enough to create a profile. You must actively use the website. The workshop can show you tips and tricks for connecting with people and learning more about your field.
Be sure to use LinkedIn’s Groups feature. Groups allow you to connect to professionals in the industry, follow discussion boards, view job announcements, read industry news, and more. There are many Groups to pick from. Join many, get a feel for the ones you like, and delete the ones you don’t like. Here are a few industry-related Groups to consider: • Seattle Media People • Film TV Professionals • Creative COW (Communities of the World) • Video Editors • Linked:Seattle • Media Professionals Worldwide • Filmmakers Worldwide • Music and Entertainment Professionals • Visual Effects, Film and Games Professionals • SF Cutters • ThoseInFilms • Media & Entertainment Professionals • Filmmakers • Final Cut Pro Digital Filmmakers and Editors • [VFX_AG] - The Visual Effects Artists Group • Web Designer • Spliced Media • Freelance professionals • Film and Television Professionals • Cryptarchy VFX
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8. Listserv: Make sure you are on the Digital Media Arts department listserv. You won’t be overly burdened by listserv emails. You will occasionally get updates about internships, jobs, and other Media- related topics. To be placed on the listserv send an email to [email protected]. In the body of the email, type: Subscribe medialist FirstName LastName.
What should I do once I’ve been offered an internship? If an employer has offered you an internship – congratulations! Here’s what you need to do:
1. Training Agreement: You and the employer need to complete the Media 250 Training Agreement form, which can be found on the Academic Internship Program website. Return the Training Agreement form to the Internship Coordinator (instructions are provided). http://bellevuecollege.edu/internships/sac_digital_Media_internships.html.
2. Eligibility: After receiving the form, the Internship Coordinator will determine whether the position meets the guidelines established by the Digital Media Arts program.
3. Entry Code: If the internship is deemed credit-worthy, the Internship Coordinator will contact the Business Division and request that an enrollment entry code be release to you via email.
4. Register: You can register for Media 250 online or in person. You will need the entry code.
5. Coursework: Once you are registered, you will receive information about how to logon to the course web site. When the quarter begins, logon to the course site to begin to complete the required weekly assignments.
Who teaches the Media 250 class? The Media 250 instructors name is Mary Slowinski. She will guide your learning experience and provide support in meeting the academic responsibilities of the course and, through the class web site, will assist you in determining an internship plan. The instructor will monitor your progress throughout the quarter, collect weekly reports, review posts to the discussion boards, grade final report submissions, and award grades for the course. Once you are registered for the class, you can contact Mary via the Vista (MyBlackboard) web-based email service. Please use this service for ALL email that pertains to the class.
Who can I contact with questions?
Questions about finding an internship and registering for Media 250: • Internship Coordinator: [email protected] | Appointments: (425) 564-2279
Questions or concerns about the Media 250 internship requirement: • Stephen Garrow, Digital Media Arts Program Chair: [email protected]
Questions about Media 250 coursework: • Mary Slowinski, Course Instructor: [email protected]
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Media Employers 5th Cell, Bellevue: http://5thcell.com/wordpress/jobs For internships, they want to receive resume, cover letter, and portfolio from a faculty member. Send to [email protected] and make sure the subject field reads INTERN. AAT TV, Seattle: http://www.aattv.com Activision, Seattle: http://www.activision.com/index.html#careers|en_US Amaze Entertainment / Foundation 9 / Griptonite, Kirkland: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=f9e&cws=1 AreaNet, Bellevue: http://www.arena.net/jobs/default.php Arkitek Studios, Seattle: http://www.arkitek.com Big Fish Games, Seattle: http://www.bigfishgames.com/company/careers.html Blades Game World, Bellevue: http://www.blade3d.com/default.html Bloop, Seattle: http://bloop.biz Bungie LLC, Kirkland: http://www.bungie.net/inside/jobs.aspx Busker Games LLC, Seattle: http://www.linkedin.com/companies/busker-games-llc Cat Daddy Games, Bellevue: http://www.catdaddy.com/Studio.html Cricket Moon Media, Seattle: http://www.cricketmoonmedia.com Day 1 Studios, Seattle: http://www.day1studios.com/careers_m_producer.php Digital Double, Redmond: http://www.digitaldouble.net Digital Kitchen, Seattle: http://www.d-kitchen.com/contact#job-opportunities Edelman, Seattle: https://www.edelman.com En Masse Entertainment, Seattle: https://bluehole.catchthebest.com/jobs Excell Data Corp. (Microsoft Game Studio Dept.), Bellevue: http://www.excell.com Flow Play, Seattle: http://www.flowplay.com/corp/jobs.shtml Flying Lab Software, Seattle: http://www.burningsea.com/page/press/jobs Fuel Cell Games , Seattle: http://www.fuelcellgames.com FXVille, Seattle: http://www.fxville.com Game Instinct, Redmond: http://gameinstinct.com/contactus.html Garage Games, Inc., Eugene: http://www.torquepowered.com Gas Powered Games, Redmond : http://www.gaspowered.com/jobs Gastronaut Studios, Seattle: http://www.gastronautstudios.com/company.html Guppy Games, Bellevue: http://www.guppygames.com/aboutus/job.do?method=init Handheld Games, Mill Creek: http://www.handheldgames.us Her Interactive, Bellevue: http://www.herinteractive.com/jobs.php Hidden Path Entertainment, Bellevue: http://www.hiddenpath.com/contact Impact Video & Audio Productions, Kenmore: http://impactva.com Inventive Productions LLC, Bellevue: http://www.inventiveproductions.com Lidar vfx, Seattle: http://www.lidarvfx.com Loose Cannon Studios, Seattle: http://www.loosecannonstudios.com Microsoft Game Studios, Redmond: http://www.microsoft-entertainment-jobs.com Midway Games, Seattle: http://www.midway.com/page/MidwayCareerInternships.html Monolith Productions, Kirkland: http://www.lith.com/jobs.asp Multi Axis Games, Port Angeles: http://www.multiaxisgames.com Nintendo of America, Redmond: http://www.nintendo.com/corp/jobs.jsp# Non-Stop Ninjas, Renton: http://nonstopninjas.com No Plan B. Entertainment, Vancouver BC: http://www.noplanbmusic.com/main.html Novel Interactive, Bellevue: http://www.novel-interactive.com/jobs.html Novo Interactive, Redmond: http://novo-interactive.com/contact Offbeat Creations, Bellevue: http://offbeat-creations.com/contact Piranha Productions, Seattle: http://www.piranhaproductions.net
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PopCap Games, Seattle: http://www.popcap.com/job_opportunities.php Pravda Studios, Seattle: http://www.pravdastudios.com PressOK Entertainment, Seattle: http://pressokentertainment.com/careers.html Real Networks, Seattle: http://www.realnetworks.com Reaxion, Seattle: http://reaxion.com/corporate/careers Sadis Filmworks, Seattle: http://www.sadisfilmworks.com Sandblast Games, Kirkland: http://recruiter.kenexa.com/thq/cc/Home.ss?ccid=bupJEdUjsTs%3D Seattle Channel, City of Seattle, Seattle: http://www.seattlechannel.org/aboutus Seattle Publishing, Seattle: http://www.seattlepub.com/jobs Snow Blind, Bothell: http://www.snowblindstudios.com/Jobs Sony Online, Seattle: http://www.station.sony.com/sonyonline/careers.vm Spliced Media, Seattle: http://www.splicedmedia.com Square Enix, Seattle: http://www.square-enix.com/na/jobs Sterner Studios, Bellevue: http://www.sternerstudios.com Sucker Punch Productions, Bellevue: http://www.suckerpunch.com Super X Studios, Seattle: http://www.superxstudios.com/Company/jobs.htm Surreal Software, Seattle: http://www.surreal.com/jobs.html Surround Media, Bellevue: http://surroundmedia.com The Amazing Society, Issaquah: http://www.amazingsociety.com/careers/jobs.htm Torpex Games, Bellevue: http://www.torpexgames.com/jobs.php Tri-Digital Software, Redmond: http://www.tri-digital.com Valkyrie Entertainment, Seattle: http://www.valent.us Valve Software, Bellevue: http://www.valvesoftware.com/jobs/index.html Victory Studios, Seattle: http://www.victorystudios.com/Employment.asp Vidiator: http://www.vidiator.com/career.aspx VIP Studios, Seattle: http://www.vipstudios.tv Warner Brothers Games, Seattle: http://www.timewarner.com/corp/careers/jobtools_us/index.html Wild Tangent, Redmond: http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/jobSearch.jsp?org=WILDTANGENT&cws=1 Wizards of the Coast, Renton: http://ww2.wizards.com/company/jobs/default.aspx WXP, Seattle: http://www.wxp3d.com/htdocs/contact.htm Xolara, Tacoma: http://www.xolara.com Zipper Interactive, Redmond: http://www.zipperint.com/jobs.php Zombie Studios, Seattle: http://www.zombie.com/career.html
Media-Related Companies Amdian , Renton - Graphic Design: http://www.amdian.com Axis Studios, Seattle - Graphic Design: http://axisweb.com DA Graphics Inc, Seattle - Manufacturer/Importing/Design: http://www.dagraphics.com Deigo Inc, Kirkland - Global Communication: http://www.arrisi.com/solutions/moxi/index.asp Delicious Monster, Seattle -Software Development: http://delicious-monster.com/company.php Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Olympia/Seattle: http://www.commerce.wa.gov Design Hovie Studios, Inc., Seattle - Graphic Design: http://hovie.com ExoticElement.com, Seattle - Graphic Design: http://www.exoticelements.org Jackson Fish Market L’Atelier, Seattle - Software Creation: http://www.jacksonfish.com/atelier Japan Pacific Publications, Seattle - Publishing, Printing, Desktop Publishing: http://www.japanpacific.com Jeepney Clothing, Seattle - Urban Clothing Design: http://www.jeepneyclothing.com/index.php Justrite Printing, Tacoma - Printing and Design: http://www.justriteprinting.biz Media Lead, Seattle - Content Publishing: http://www.medialead.com Naya Mode, Redmond - Marketing, Web Content, Technology: http://www.nayamode.com
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NetSystems International, Bainbridge Island - Supplier of Fishing Systems: http://www.net-sys.com/index.php NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth), Seattle - Video Production: http://www.nffty.org One Reel, Seattle - Cultural/Special Events Promoter: http://www.onereel.org Pivot and Levy, Seattle - Web Technology and Design: http://www.pivotandlevy.com Print Core, Woodinville - Printing and Design: http://www.theprintcore.com Pura Vida Coffee, Seattle - Coffee Distribution: http://www.puravidacoffee.com/index.php Seattle Publishing, Seattle - Publishing: http://www.seattlepub.com Talking Rain, Preston - Marketing / Drink Sales: http://www.talkingrain.com/careers.asp WORLDLINK, Bellevue - Internet Services: http://www.w-link.com X6 Technologies / Spoke, Seattle - Data Print Technology: http://www.spoke.com/info/c5tlKcd/X6Technologies Zetec, Inc., Snoqualmie - Ultrasound Technology: http://www.zetec.com Zillow.com, Seattle - Real Estate: http://www.zillow.com
Other Resources Casual Connect Conference: http://seattle.casualconnect.org Creatitve Heads: http://creativeheads.net Gamasutra: http://www.gamasutra.com Filter Talent: http://www.filtertalent.com Game Career Guide: http://www.gamecareerguide.com/careers RPGamer: http://www.rpgamer.com/jobs/jobs.html Volt Staffing Services: http://jobs.volt.com
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