Vanderbilt University Career Center presents
Vandy On Madison Avenue 2012
FAQs
1. What is Vandy on Madison Avenue (VMA)?
The Vandy on Madison Avenue Internship Program is a summer opportunity designed to help
Vanderbilt students find their way in the real-world labyrinth of New York City. Vandy on Madison
Avenue picks up where the strong classroom foundation of Vanderbilt leaves off, providing realworld experience in the Media & Communication industry.
Last summer found 17 Vanderbilt students exploring the field through internships at NBC, Lucky
Duck Productions, ZenithOptimedia, Teen Vogue, The Brooks Group PR, Kinetic Media, Dish
Network, and MTV Networks. We are moving into our fourth year in the Big Apple with companies
representing various aspects of the industry, from print media, to television, to public relations.
2. Who is eligible?
Current freshmen, sophomores, and juniors. If you are a graduating senior and interested in the
Communication & Media Industry, call the Vanderbilt Career Center front desk at 322-2750 to
schedule an appointment with the Arts, Media, and Communications Career Coach, Tiffany Franklin.
3. How to apply?
Go to DoreWays (www.vanderbilt.edu/career and you will see the DoreWays login under the
“Finding Opportunities” tab.) Once in DoreWays search under “Vanderbilt Jobs and Internships”
with the keyword “VMA.”
4. How many can I apply for?
You can apply to an unlimited number of positions, but it is important for you to be focused to
show you are serious about the employer of interest. Each employer posts separately so you apply
for positions of interest rather than to the program as a whole. If you say “I just want to do anything
in the media & communications industry” that will not help you move to the interview phase of the
VMA employer’s selection process.
5. How can I increase my chances of finding an internship through VMA?
Take advantage of the resources being provided through the Vanderbilt Career Center. These include:
VMA/ViHSIP Resume/Cover Letter Workshop and Q&A
Wednesday, February 15th 4-5pm
(Vanderbilt Career Center) VCC Resource Room
VMA/ViHSIP Student panel (past participants)
Wednesday, February 15th 5-6pm
VCC Resource Room
Keys to success include:
• Targeting your resume & cover letter to the position of interest.
• Identify alumni or other contacts who work for the employers of interest who might be able
to advise you on best presenting yourself in the application process. Often alumni are your
best advocates. Utilize www.vuconnect.com to identify if there are alums at organizations
of interest.
6.
How do I find the companies that might be the right fit for my interests?
Consider whether you want to participate in a larger internship program at a bigger company or at
a smaller company where you might have one or two fellow interns. The benefit to working for a
larger employer is that there is often a professional development series within the company to
expose you to different departments. Yet, the downside is that you are often working on a very
small piece of what that company does. If you work with a smaller employer, you will likely get to
work on a wide range of projects and have greater access to leaders of the organization to gain a
sense of what it takes to be a successful company in the industry. Certainly do not discount the
smaller employers…these also tend to be a little less competitive, so you might have a better chance
in the selection process.
To find your fit in terms of the role, research the media & communications industry. Learn about
the various types of career paths such as marketing, business development, sales, publishing, talent
management, public relations, event planning, brand management, etc. Explore company websites
and think about your skills and interests. Where do you think would be a good fit for you? Why?
What have you done in the past that would allow you to make contributions to an organization
during your internship? Have specific examples ready for your application materials.
7.
What if I have no related experience? Is it still possible for me to get accepted into the
program?
That’s okay. While there are no guarantees that anyone who applies will receive an interview or an
offer for an internship, the VMA program was designed to provide students with exposure to
opportunities in New York City. We don’t expect you to have real-world marketing experience. That
being said, employers do look for transferrable skills and the way in which you have professionally
developed yourself through your campus involvement. What have you done in the past that relates
to the internships to which you are applying? How do you think that will help you make positive
contributions during your internship this summer?
8.
What is the timeline for applying to the Summer 2012 internships?
The application deadlines vary for each employer and run from early February – late March. This is
why it is important to be on the Arts, Media, & Communication listserv so that you are continually
updated on deadlines as well as added positions.
Keep in mind that resumes must be approved on DoreWays before you are eligible to apply for
positions. Be sure to submit your resume for approval at least a week ahead of time because it may
take up to two days to get approved. Once your resume is approved, do not delete that resume. You
can upload up to nine other documents (resumes and/or cover letters) tailored to each internship.
If you delete the approved resume, you will have to get another one approved.
Many employers in VMA are considering candidates on a rolling basis, so will be reaching out to
schedule interviews throughout the months of February and March. Please note that if the
employer decides not to interview a candidate, that you might not be notified, this is why it is
important to follow-up around two weeks after submitting your application.
Most of the selections will be completed by April 15th, after which there will be an orientation
session for those accepted to the program.
9.
What is the interview process?
Each employer manages their own follow-up after their deadline, so they decide who they will
reach out to for an interview and the timing of that process. It is likely that if you get an interview,
the employer will conduct a phone interview. This will sometimes be a screen and you will be
asked to come on site for a second round. In order to work on preparing for this part of the process,
you can use Optimal Interview on our website, or schedule a meeting with one of our career
coaches by calling 615-322-2750.
10.
Are all the available positions listed on DoreWays now?
No, employers will be added throughout the month of February.
11.
Are these paid Internships?
Most of these positions are unpaid, while some have a stipend associated with your involvement.
To find out, reference the job description in DoreWays.
12.
Is Academic Credit Required? How do I get academic credit for this internship?
Yes, if the position is unpaid, academic credit is required. Please see the Vanderbilt Career Center
website for details under the “Academic Credit for Internships” heading on the following page:
http://www.vanderbilt.edu/career/internships.php
13.
What is the timeline for the internship program?
Generally the positions start mid-May to the beginning of June and run until the end of July to the
beginning of August. Each employer has a different timeline, but we will have weekly professional
development seminars starting at the beginning of June and running through the end of July.
14.
What about housing?
It is up to each student to secure their own housing for the summer in New York City. Some options
include surrounding universities in the New York City area. It would be useful to connect with VMA
alumni for their advice regarding housing. Other students have had luck with Educational Housing
Services (www.studenthousing.org).
15.
What am I committed to if I receive a position through the program?
There will be a pre-meet that all VMA participants are required to attend before you leave campus,
date TBD. This session will allow you to meet other VMA interns for 2012. Questions will be
addressed ranging from what to wear to expectations on the job. You will also receive a VMA
Handbook with tips for success, housing, and navigating your way around New York City. During
this session, you can exchange contact information with your fellow Vanderbilt students if you
wish.
Once you arrive to New York City, we will host a weekly professional development series,
supported by all the organizations involved. We will cover the various areas of the Media &
Communications Industry by bringing in professionals in the following fields:
•
Creative Design
•
Advertising Management
•
Emerging Media
•
Marketing Executives
•
Talent Management/Sports
•
Recruitment
16.
What if I still have questions not addressed here?
Email questions about the program to Careercenter@vanderbilt.edu place “VMA Question” in the
subject line.