Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Field Services Assistants at Disney
To break into the entertainment industry, Bree recommends undergraduates seek internships at studios like Disney or production companies in major cities, noting that even roles in seemingly unrelated departments —"like marketing or PR"— can lead to unexpected career paths. Landing a production assistant role, even on a low-budget project, is also valuable experience that can help someone "get their first role as an office assistant," which is what Bree did.
Entry-Level Jobs, Internships, Networking, Production Assistant Roles, Entertainment Industry
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Bree Plume
Field Services Assistant
Walt Disney Studios
UCSB
N/A
English
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Operations and Project Management
Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Internships in studios (Disney, Sony, Netflix, Amazon) provide valuable experience and networking opportunities, even in seemingly unrelated departments like marketing or PR.
2. Production assistant roles, even unpaid ones on low-budget projects or web series, can build valuable experience and lead to future opportunities.
3. Getting established in a major entertainment hub like Los Angeles, New York, London, or Atlanta increases access to internships and entry-level positions
Transcript
What entry-level positions in this field might an undergraduate college student consider?
I would say, try your best to find an internship within a studio. This could be at Disney, Sony, Netflix, or Amazon. It honestly doesn't matter which department you're in.
I've known people who were in marketing or PR who eventually became television writers. If you're an undergrad and still in school, just try to find an internship in LA, even at a production company or anything entertainment-adjacent.
This will serve you well because you'll be putting yourself in LA. The same applies if you're in a bigger city with production or TV, like New York, London, or Atlanta.
I think finding an internship would be very helpful, and it's something I didn't do but think would have boosted me quicker. Production assistant roles are also a good option. If you can get yourself on a low-budget film, a web series, or anything, even if it's unpaid, that helped me get my first role as an office assistant.