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INVEST IN FUTURE MEDIA PROFESSIONALS! Host a FLASH FORWARD intern or fellow

Free Spirit Media is seeking hosts for our Flash Forward Summer Internship Program. Hosts are desired in the fields of Media Production, Broadcast Journalism, and Emerging Technologies. We offer two levels of internships for young media makers on the road to developing careers in the film and media industry. Please take a look at our offerings to consider which or both would be the best match for your company.

 

MISSION OF THE PROGRAM

  • To provide youth and young adults with hands-on career exposure in media fields

  • To connect youth and young adults with professional mentors and workplaces to support their professional development

  • To build youth and young adults’ confidence and skills to pursue post secondary and career opportunities

INTERNS & FELLOWS

FREE SPIRIT MEDIA INTERNS:

  • POOL: High school students, ages 16-18, with some experience and training in media, exploring potential career pathways in the industry.

    Free Spirit Media matches interns based on job description and student’s background and interest.

  • DATES: July 5th - August 13th

  • SCHEDULE: 15 hours/week

FREE SPIRIT MEDIA FELLOWS:

  • POOL: Emerging professionals, ages 19-24, with more advanced level of skills, experience and knowledge that can be applied to hands-on

    projects and on-the-job training.

  • DATES: July 5th - August 13th

  • SCHEDULE: 20 hours/week  

 

WHAT DOES AN INTERNSHIP HOST DO?

  • Provide intern(s) with real job responsibilities and access to workplace tools and skills

  • Supervise and coach intern(s) to be productive and successful in a professional workplace

  • Maintain a supportive, educational, and respectful work environment for intern(s)

  • Provide feedback to ensure participant and program success

 

WHAT WILL FREE SPIRIT MEDIA DO?

  • Support intern host in developing intern(s) responsibilities and tasks

  • Recruit, interview, and match intern(s) with the skills and experience needed to meet internship host’s expectations and needs

  • Host an orientation for internship supervisor and intern(s)

  • Provide weekly professional development training for intern(s)

  • Provide Stipend and Workers Compensation Insurance for Intern(s)

  • Support intern host in communicating and working effectively with intern(s)

  • Co-facilitate a mid-internship performance evaluation to support intern(s)

INTERESTED IN HOSTING A FLASH FORWARD INTERN OR FELLOW?

Contact Covana Washington, Creative Workforce Coordinator:

(312) 444-0562

pathways@freespiritmedia.org 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT SKILLS DO INTERNS AND FELLOW HAVE?

All Flash Forward interns and fellows are selected from a competitive application and interview process. FSM interviews each internship applicant to screen for maturity, production skills, and readiness for experience in a professional workplace. FSM matches accepted interns with the internship host based on: 1) intern’s interest and potential career path and 2) intern’s ability to meet the needs and expectations of the internship host and the specified job description. Interns and fellows have a range of skills, knowledge and experience and FSM works closely with our partners to ensure our students’ skills and a partner’s needs are aligned. 

WHAT TRAINING DO THE INTERNS RECEIVE? 

All interns must complete a day-long orientation, as well as attend weekly professional development workshops hosted by FSM. Workshop topics include workplace professionalism, business etiquette, written, verbal and non-verbal communication, and time management. 

WHAT TYPE OF WORK IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE INTERNS? 

Interns should be given a variety of responsibilities — from stocking a fridge to cataloguing footage. We encourage internship hosts to provide opportunities for the intern(s) to ask questions, shadow several staff, complete small projects, and attend meetings. As workplaces often contain sensitive or confidential information, our interns are trained on confidentiality and are expected to exhibit a high level of maturity on the job. 

WHAT ROLE DOES THE INTERNSHIP HOST PLAY? 

Each internship host is responsible for coordinating the internship experience, schedule, workspace and daily tasks for the intern(s). Internship hosts also model appropriate behavior and provide support and guidance in the professional arena. Because the interns are learning professionalism and other skills, compassion for and patience with young people are also desired traits of an internship host.