L.A. Internship Program
JPCatholic’s strategic location in Southern California is an important component of the education, particularly for students pursuing a career in the film industry.
Upperclassmen and alumni can have the opportunity to experience the Los Angeles entertainment industry firsthand with our L.A. Internship program, a selective, high caliber opportunity for internships and networking in the entertainment capital of the world.
Our students have interned at world-class production companies and organizations across the industry, gaining valuable skills, acquiring insights on their field, and obtaining full-time job offers after the internship is over.
Internships
Below is a sampling of Los Angeles based companies and studios our students have interned for during their time at JPCatholic:
Networking in Hollywood
Not only will students and alumni develop their professional skills during their internships, they can also form life-long connections with industry professionals who are committed to both their craft and to Christ.
Building such a network is not only crucial to thrive in the industry, but also is paramount for continued personal and spiritual growth throughout the students’ professional careers. Our students learn how to successfully navigate the entertainment industry, both as a creative hub and as a mission field, with the guidance of seasoned mentors who hold their faith as a central part of their creative vocation.
Networking in Hollywood
Not only will students and alumni develop their professional skills during their internships, they can also form life-long connections with industry professionals who are committed to both their craft and to Christ.
Building such a network is not only crucial to thrive in the industry, but also is paramount for continued personal and spiritual growth throughout the students’ professional careers. Our students learn how to successfully navigate the entertainment industry, both as a creative hub and as a mission field, with the guidance of seasoned mentors who hold their faith as a central part of their creative vocation.
Transition to L.A. After Graduation
If a student aims to settle in Los Angeles after graduation, the L.A. Internship Program is a fantastic way to establish a foundation for future job opportunities and a professional network that can lead to a successful career in Hollywood and beyond.
Even if students plan to continue their career endeavors in another location outside of Los Angeles, their time in the internship still offers them a high-caliber experience focused on honing their interests, building their portfolio, cultivating professionalism, and developing useful skills that are considered desirable anywhere within the media industry.
Transition to L.A. After Graduation
If a student aims to settle in Los Angeles after graduation, the L.A. Internship Program is a fantastic way to establish a foundation for future job opportunities and a professional network that can lead to a successful career in Hollywood and beyond.
Even if students plan to continue their career endeavors in another location outside of Los Angeles, their time in the internship still offers them a high-caliber experience focused on honing their interests, building their portfolio, cultivating professionalism, and developing useful skills that are considered desirable anywhere within the media industry.
More Information
Who can apply for the L.A. Internship Program?
The LA Internship Program is a selective program that connects students with high-quality intern opportunities in LA to further their professional growth. It is open to juniors, seniors, and recent alumni.
The program is primarily designed for students in these degree programs: Communications Media and Visual Arts. If you are in a different degree and wish to apply, please meet with the Registrar and your Program Chair to discuss how the program fits in with your academic plan.
To qualify for the program, students should:
- Be a junior, senior, or recent alumni
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Have reliable transportation to get to and from an internship in L.A.
- Apply for the program and meet all deadlines
- Check with the registrar’s office that taking on an internship works with your remaining degree requirements
What makes the LA Internship Program unique from other intern opportunities?
LA internships are often higher caliber, at companies in the heart of the entertainment industry. Additionally, the LA Internship Program is selective to top candidates. Lastly, the LA Internship Program is open to recent alumni, and makes it possible for alumni to participate in internships they otherwise would not have been eligible for.
What does the program involve?
LA Internships are typically 6 credits and involve spending 2-3 days per week in LA. Internships can be production-related but are more often office-related. Students are required to intern for a minimum of 90 hours (usually 9+ hours per week for 10 weeks) to receive 3 credits, or a minimum of 180 hours (18+ hours per week) to receive 6 credits. Students can receive credit for either paid or unpaid internships.
To receive academic credit, students need to check in with a JPCatholic professor throughout their internship. These brief meetings can be in-person or virtual, and should be at least every two weeks. Students will need to submit proof of achieving learning outcomes to their professor throughout the quarter, as well as a final reflection paper and hour log at the end of the quarter. Full information about this is included in JPCatholic’s internship paperwork.
If you are a current student, you’ll normally supplement your LA Internship credits with additional coursework on campus in Escondido (required if you want to maintain a full course load). For example, if you are in LA for 3 days per week to complete a 6-credit internship, you would need to be taking 3 additional classes on campus during the other two days of the week to maintain a full course load.
If you are a recent alumni, participation in the L.A. Internship Program enrolls you in a special certificate program that enables you to continue your student status after graduation and take advantage of a wider array of internships. Alumni are not required to enroll in classes in addition to the internship credit.
When does the L.A. Internship Program happen?
Most of our partnership opportunities are in the Fall quarter, but students can participate in the program during any quarter.
How do students get internships?
Students will work with the Professional Connections Office to create an internship application plan. The Professional Connections Office will work with intern partners, and recommend students or let students know how to apply to intern opportunities with our partners. Students are also encouraged to independently seek out and apply to additional intern opportunities that align with their career goals. Students should check with the Professional Connections Office to ensure outside opportunities will qualify for credit at JPCatholic.
Where do students live?
If you are a current student, you will normally continue living on-campus in Escondido, commuting up to L.A. for your internship. You should work with the Registrar to craft the most amenable schedule to facilitate this experience.
JPCatholic cannot provide housing for alumni participating in the L.A. Internship program, but can provide resources in identifying possible housing solutions. In the past, alumni participating in the program have moved to LA, lived off-campus in Escondido and commuted to LA, or lived with family members in commuting distance to L.A.
Please note: Details of the L.A. Internship Program are subject to change.
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