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What type of extracurricular in college can I do to improve my chances of landing a media or film job?
I am still in high school, but I want to know what I can do in college to boost my chances at landing a job in media or film. I have yet to decide what college to apply to yet, so this would help narrow my options. I am also trying to help my resume so that when I apply for a job in the future, they'll see what I have in experience.
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james’s Answer
There are different Roles in Media industry or in Film industry.So a Person who wants to Focus on these areas should have a specific goal for that ,that is weather he/she is in to cinematography,or into direction,or in to post-production.So First of all find out our passion and Work to get good out puts.After that Go ahead with your own passion..So in colleges students can select there options accordingly.
Steve Jacobson
Creative Leader/Content Creator/Producer/Editor/Storyteller
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Steve’s Answer
If you're eager to dive into writing, producing, editing, or filming, start right away! Create short movies with your phone camera using your family and friends. Pick a topic you like and write a script, or interview interesting people and capture lots of extra footage to show your storytelling talent. Share your films on social media to get feedback and keep growing your skills. You got this!
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Liza’s Answer
Look for opportunities to build up your screenwriting or filmmaking skills through no-cost workshops. Check with your school's college or guidance offices to see what resources they can point you towards. Don't try to figure this out alone; express your interest to trusted teachers and ask what resources they would recommend. The more you have people rooting for you, the wider net you'll cast to find extra-curricular activities geared towards your interest and appropriate for your age.
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Ivo’s Answer
A job in media or film covers a lot of areas, so it's helpful to focus on what interests you most. If you aim for full-time work, you might look at studios, news stations, or post-production companies. In film, many jobs are freelance or project-based. To boost your resume and network, consider internships, volunteering, or working on a set. Creating your own content, like short films, while in school can also give you valuable experience and show future employers your initiative and interest.
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Kelly’s Answer
Great question Lillith! Since you're still in high school and starting to think about colleges, look for schools that offer lots of opportunities to get involved in media or filmmaking outside the classroom.
Some of the most helpful extracurriculars include film clubs, student film organizations, campus TV stations, student newspapers, or media production groups. These activities give you hands-on experience working with cameras, editing software, writing, or producing projects. They also help you meet other students who want to collaborate and create work together.
Another great way to gain experience is by volunteering or working on student film sets and media projects. Even starting in small roles can teach you how productions work and help you build skills and connections. Many students also look for internships with local media companies, TV stations, or production companies during college.
You can also look into opportunities in your local community. For example, many cities have a Film Office or Film Commission that shares information about productions happening in the area and sometimes lists opportunities for volunteers or entry-level work. You might also look for internships or volunteer opportunities with a community access TV station, local film festivals, or your regional PBS station, all of which can provide great hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
The great thing is that you don’t have to wait until college to start building experience. If your high school has a media club, video production class, or school news program, those are great places to start. You can also experiment on your own by editing videos, creating short films with friends, or helping record events for school or community groups. All of that counts as experience and helps you begin building a portfolio.
I teach film production at a university and work as a documentary editor, and one thing I see consistently is that the students who build strong careers in media are the ones who start creating, collaborating, and gaining experience early. Some of my students began by volunteering at local film festivals or community media stations, and those early experiences helped them build the skills and connections that eventually led to internships and jobs.
In filmmaking and media, your path doesn’t have to be traditional. What matters most is your curiosity, persistence, and willingness to start somewhere. Careers rarely follow a straight line—stay curious, keep learning, and be open to where your path might take you.
Some of the most helpful extracurriculars include film clubs, student film organizations, campus TV stations, student newspapers, or media production groups. These activities give you hands-on experience working with cameras, editing software, writing, or producing projects. They also help you meet other students who want to collaborate and create work together.
Another great way to gain experience is by volunteering or working on student film sets and media projects. Even starting in small roles can teach you how productions work and help you build skills and connections. Many students also look for internships with local media companies, TV stations, or production companies during college.
You can also look into opportunities in your local community. For example, many cities have a Film Office or Film Commission that shares information about productions happening in the area and sometimes lists opportunities for volunteers or entry-level work. You might also look for internships or volunteer opportunities with a community access TV station, local film festivals, or your regional PBS station, all of which can provide great hands-on experience and networking opportunities.
The great thing is that you don’t have to wait until college to start building experience. If your high school has a media club, video production class, or school news program, those are great places to start. You can also experiment on your own by editing videos, creating short films with friends, or helping record events for school or community groups. All of that counts as experience and helps you begin building a portfolio.
I teach film production at a university and work as a documentary editor, and one thing I see consistently is that the students who build strong careers in media are the ones who start creating, collaborating, and gaining experience early. Some of my students began by volunteering at local film festivals or community media stations, and those early experiences helped them build the skills and connections that eventually led to internships and jobs.
In filmmaking and media, your path doesn’t have to be traditional. What matters most is your curiosity, persistence, and willingness to start somewhere. Careers rarely follow a straight line—stay curious, keep learning, and be open to where your path might take you.
Updated
Jacob ’s Answer
Hi Lilith,
The Film and Media sectors are people-driven; it's a people business. If you know people, and they like you, they are likely to hire you. The best thing you can do is get on movie sets and intern, or intern for media companies. The point of going to these sets or internships is to build relationships with people and have future connections.
In college, the best thing you can do is go to an accredited school, meet future colleagues and hope they land a job so that they recommend you. But honestly, the previous statement that I wrote is the best way to land your first job. The more people you know, the easier to land a job.
I hope this helps.
The Film and Media sectors are people-driven; it's a people business. If you know people, and they like you, they are likely to hire you. The best thing you can do is get on movie sets and intern, or intern for media companies. The point of going to these sets or internships is to build relationships with people and have future connections.
In college, the best thing you can do is go to an accredited school, meet future colleagues and hope they land a job so that they recommend you. But honestly, the previous statement that I wrote is the best way to land your first job. The more people you know, the easier to land a job.
I hope this helps.