Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Executives
Bryan, a Principal at Meridiem Ventures, suggests that undergraduates interested in entertainment should be open to roles like "assistant to an executive or to a producer," as these positions, while perhaps unexpected, offer invaluable networking opportunities and industry training, even more so than some "more corporate entry level jobs" that might provide specific skills. He further emphasizes the importance of identifying a specific area of interest within the industry, such as creative, business, legal, or finance, and being willing to start in an entry-level position within that area.
Entry-Level Roles, Entertainment Industry, Networking, Career Paths, Skill Development
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Bryan Noon
Principal
Meridiem Ventures
UC Berkeley
UCLA Anderson - MBA
Economics, Political Science, American Studies
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Consulting & Related Professional Services
Consulting
Video Highlights
1. Entry-level roles in entertainment include assistant positions to executives or producers, which offer valuable networking opportunities and industry insights.
2. More corporate entry-level jobs in finance or legal within the entertainment industry can provide specific skill development but may offer fewer networking opportunities.
3. Undergraduates interested in entertainment should be open to roles that might not seem like typical post-graduate jobs, as these can provide significant benefits for future career advancement.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
The current entertainment space is really challenging right now with everything that's going on in the industry. The opportunities today are very different than when I first entered it.
I think there are specific roles that can be somewhat similar. It's important to find the space you're interested in pursuing, whether it's the creative, business, legal, finance, or strategy side.
Looking generally in that area of the entertainment industry, you need to be willing to take an entry-level role. You might be an assistant to an executive, producer, or someone else in your area of interest.
There are also jobs in finance or legal where you can get entry-level positions that are a little more "professional." But you have to think about what you want to get from the job.
Being an assistant to an executive tends to be one of the best training grounds and creates a lot of networking opportunities. Some of the more corporate entry-level jobs might teach you specific skills, but you may not get as much networking.
So, be open to something you wouldn't consider a job coming out of undergraduate, like assisting an executive or producer. The benefits of that can really help you on your next two or three jobs.
I think these are the types of roles that undergrads wanting to get into entertainment may have to think about more broadly than they would in a typical corporate setting.