Entry Level Jobs For Aspiring Alternative Programming Coordinators at MACRO
Erika, a Coordinator of Alternative Programming at MACRO, suggests that entry-level positions at large talent agencies offer invaluable experience, "a bootcamp in many ways," exposing aspiring professionals to industry deals and key executives while building crucial networking opportunities. Alternatively, for those interested in the technical aspects of production, a production assistant role provides firsthand experience on set and "seeing how a set is run."
Networking, Entry-Level Jobs, Production, Media Industry, Career Advice
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Erika Rodriguez
Coordinator, Alternative Programming
MACRO
Northwestern University, 2020
N/A
Film, Media Arts, Visual Arts
Arts, Entertainment & Media
Creative
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Pell Grant Recipient, Worked 20+ Hours in School, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Working for a large talent agency provides exposure to industry deals, key executives, and company strategies. Networking opportunities with peers can lead to future collaborations and career advancement.
2. Production assistant roles offer hands-on experience in the physical aspects of production, including camera and lighting techniques, and provide insight into set operations.
3. Building relationships with coworkers is vital; these connections can create valuable opportunities for professional growth and future collaborations within the industry, even years down the line.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
There are many different opportunities available. Ultimately, it depends on what you want to get out of it. For a student fresh out of college, I would recommend working for a large talent agency, similar to what I did.
This is often the main path people take. You are placed where all the deals are made and get to meet key executives. Even over email, you recognize names and understand how relationships work between companies.
You learn what different companies are looking for, such as what Netflix or Hulu are currently buying. This was a significant takeaway for me during my time there.
Beyond that, I had around 200 coworkers my age doing the same job. We are now all connected because we worked at the same company. They made an effort to ensure we all got to know each other.
These relationships are valuable as these individuals will likely move up in the industry with you. You never know who might become the CEO of a major company in the future. It could be someone you once worked with at the agency.
This path isn't super glamorous, but it's a bootcamp in many ways. I would also recommend it if you are more interested in the physical production side of things, like cameras and lights.
Being a production assistant is a great way to see how a set operates and understand the roles involved in putting on a high-caliber production.