Entry-level positions for aspiring Project Managers at Film Studios
Miriam, a Scrum Master/Program Management Office professional in the film industry, highlights the evolving landscape of entry-level positions, emphasizing the increasing prevalence of structured, paid internships offering "lunches and learning events." Beyond internships, Miriam suggests exploring coordinator roles, junior project management positions, or even competitive rotational programs like Sony's finance associate program, which provides "mentoring and coaching" within a structured environment.
Internships, Entry-Level Positions, Project Management, Finance Rotational Programs, Mentorship
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Miriam Holzman-Sharman
Scrum Master/Program Management Office
Film Studio
UCLA
Masters of Business Administration, Loyola Marymount University (LA)
Communications
Arts, Entertainment & Media, Manufacturing, Operations & Supply Chain
Operations and Project Management
Video Highlights
1. Internships are a structured way to gain experience and are often paid, unlike in the past.
2. Entry-level positions like coordinator or junior project management roles exist, often involving scheduling and note-taking.
3. Rotational programs in finance or accounting offer structured learning and mentorship opportunities for new graduates, such as Sony's finance rotational associate program.
Transcript
What entry-level positions are there in this field that an undergraduate college student might consider?
Another change in corporate America and the entertainment industry is the evolving role of the assistant. The way assistants work has changed and morphed.
When I think about entry-level positions, there are a few key pieces of information. All the studios seem to have much stronger internship programs now than when I was starting out many years ago. These internships are not only paid but also very structured, often run through the HR department.
I believe they offer lunches and learning events for summer interns. There's a lot of focus and intention around teaching interns. They ask what departments will teach them and what they will learn.
Whereas when I did my internship, I worked with nice people, but it was a little boring and I wasn't paid. I did get a Murphy Brown poster, but that's not what this interview is about. So, if you have opportunities and are still in school, look for internships.
When you get out of school, I think there may still be some coordinator-level positions or junior project management roles. These can involve taking notes and just listening in. Many large projects need help with scheduling and management.
On the accounting side, Sony has a finance rotational associate program, and the latest cohort just launched. It's an excellent, though very competitive, program for those coming out of school with a business, finance, or accounting degree.
Essentially, you're hired for two years. Every four to six months, you move to a different area of the accounting or finance organization to learn how they operate differently.
As part of the rotational program, like the internship program, there's mentoring and coaching. The people going through this program, which is only a couple of years old, are really impressive. I don't know if other studios offer that, but anything like it is also great.
You're incubated a little bit coming into your first job with clear expectations and deliverables. So, that's my advice on entry-level opportunities.
Advizer Personal Links
LinkedIn.com/in/miriamsharman