Jaylene Murillo, a student at University of Florida, is a first-generation college student with big goals of breaking into the television business. This year, she's joined by seven other first-generation college students as part of the 2019 summer internship program through the Television Academy Foundation.
Every year the Foundation's internship program continues to be more diverse and more inclusive of all communities. The 2019 class is no exception. This summer the program will welcome 50 students - future leaders in the television industry - more than 70% of whom are women and more than 60% are people of color. The incoming class also includes three additional students who grew up in, and are terming out of, the foster care system. For the first time in the history of the program, the Foundation was also able to provide seven students in financial need with housing assistance to help with their expenses in Los Angeles.
The 8-week internship includes more than 20 different industry categories, including Scripted and Non-Scripted Television, Choreography, Costume Design, and Animation. Veteran host organizations such as ABC Studios, Hulu, FX, and Warner Bros, are among the many companies and industry professionals who will provide interns with significant hands-on experiences that will lay a solid foundation for their careers. Six former Television Academy Foundation interns will be hosting students themselves this year, a testament to program alumni's commitment to "paying it forward" and staying connected to the Foundation.
Throughout the summer, the Foundation will provide professional development and networking opportunities for the interns, including a personal brand-building workshop, invitations to panel discussions, and a networking soiree with Academy Governors, Foundation board members and program alumni.
Past interns have gone on to incredibly successful careers in television, some becoming Emmy winners themselves such as four-time Emmy winning writer/producer (VEEP, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart) Rachel Axler and The Simpsons animation director Matthew Faughnan.
The process by which interns are selected is extremely competitive. More than 1200 applications were reviewed by 357 Television Academy members from around the country to narrow the selection.
Throughout the summer, the Foundation will feature several interns in our weekly newsletter so all members can get to know the faces of television's future. In the meantime, you can check out the Foundation website to find out more about our talented 2019 intern class. We are proud to continue to educate the next generation of storytellers by providing industry access and career-building opportunities.
The Television Academy Foundation welcomes gifts to expand the internship program and increase support for underserved students. To learn more, contact Karla Pita Loor, Chief Development Officer, at pitaloor@televisionacademy.com.
