Hello! I’m a college freshman this year and I’ve applied to some internships and jobs for this summer in my field of interest (tv/film development) but I haven’t heard back from anyone. I know there’s still some time left, so I’m still looking and applying, but I’m preparing myself for the possibility that I’m not getting hired and that I’ll just be going home, which is making me concerned for how I’ll be able to measure up competition-wise with other applicants for future internships.
I have a bit of a unique situation. I live on a ranch, so if I go home I’ll be glad to help my parents with the ranch work, and since I love writing/drawing/other creative pursuits I’ll look forward to having more time to do those too. I also live in a very, very rural area where jobs are harder to find, and those that are available for the summer are pretty standard grocery/fast food/etc jobs. Which is great! I’d be happy to be employed and get some work experience at those places. But I’m concerned that those types of jobs won’t be helpful on my resume when I’m applying to casting offices/production companies/etc.
As it is, all I have on my resume is various volunteer work (some of which was at my mom’s office in the past, which, looking back, was basically like an internship; but it was unpaid), my high school extracurriculars and my college GPA (which is pretty good! 3.78 right now.) So my worry is that if I don’t get a “good” internship or work experience this summer I will have even less to present to employers next year once I’m a sophomore.
Do you think if I go home and work on my family’s ranch (or find a non-internship/office/fancy job in town) it’ll hurt me for when I’m applying next year? Compared to my classmates from cities who have much stronger resumes, I just feel like I already don’t have as much to offer, and it’s especially worrisome when my friends are getting internships at Facebook or big businesses and I look much less impressive next to them. I don’t want employers to think I’m lazy, but I’ve applied and so far not heard back so I’m not entirely sure what else I can do.
Thank you for reading all of that! Any insight is appreciated 
Look for some remote type internships. or Virtual internships they are called to see if u can find something. Be careful that they are legit. Also Volunteer match may have a need to do work with something film related.
Otherwise, internships freshman year are less common. You don’t have enough experience yet to offer so much to an employer. I agree it is intimidating to hear your friends got internships at places you would like to work but as a freshman, I can’t imagine they did not have some inside pull to get them.
I definitely think it would be beneficial to you to get an internship in your desired field, especially because it is so competitive. That being said like @Lakemom said, freshman internships are less common and most at that level come from some sort of inside connection. I don’t think companies will think you are lazy, they will just see that you are less experienced.
You still have plenty of time to get internships/jobs next summer, so don’t sweat it! But in the meantime, is there a way you can make a portfolio for yourself? What is it in tv/film development that you would like to be doing?
My town has less than 3,000 people in it, which is why finding a paid position in my field of interest is a struggle, simply because there’s very little available. I still haven’t heard back from the places I applied so I’m going to go ahead and come home, help on the ranch and do some volunteer work in an office for someone who I’ve volunteered with before, with the possibility of some paid work as well. It’s not ideal but it’s something!
I’m not really sure if building a film portfolio (if that’s what you meant?) will help me – I don’t want to do the filmmaking itself, more like casting or production or something similar. I’m hoping my volunteering at the office will help me look more prepared for that kind of work since that’s what a lot of it essentially is (office work), but since it’s not technically an internship I just feel like it won’t be taken as seriously. (I mean, I feel like it’s basically the same as an unpaid internship, but we weren’t calling it that so)
There’s little I can do between now and the end of the semester so I’m going to try not to worry too much. I’ve been told that most employers don’t care what you do during your freshman summer anyway, so I’ll just do what I can and prepare myself for next year. Thanks for your replies!
@radmadeline - Sorry, I had a misconception about what you wanted to do in tv/film. Though with production, I do think you still could build a portfolio it would just be hard to do that on your own without being in a position.
I think your volunteering can definitely be listed in your resume in a way that reflects the work you’ve done. On your resume, you can list your position as Administrative Assistant and list the work you’ve done in the position. Whether it’s volunteer work or an internship as long as you have the experience it doesn’t matter as much to the employer. Good luck and enjoy your summer!
I forgot to come back and update this – I found a paid internship in my hometown with a local nonprofit! My past volunteering paid off because I got the opportunity through a woman I used to volunteer for. I’m grateful to have paid employment and while I’m not sure how ‘good’ it’ll look on my resume for the future, hey, it’s a start and I’m glad to be able to get the money and experience. Thank you for your responses everyone
Excellent @radmadeline !! Its called networking. Any work has value to put on your resume especially if u can find an angle to offer help doing what u are majoring in. You said you were interesting in casting or production. Production of anything requires similar skills so look for an opportunity to do so.
Yes! I definitely will. I’ll also be sure to get my resume and maybe draft a couple of cover letters early on so that I’ll be ready once the opportunities start becoming available for next summer. Thank you very much for your advice!
Do u have a Linkedin profile? If not start one. It will serve as a mobile resume so whenever u meet someone and u think they could be a good connection for you, you can ask them to connect with you on linkedin. Join it. Hunt around and look at other student profiles to see what u want to do for yours.
The other thing I suggest is to look for ads that are doing the job you think you will want.
Pay attention to the qualities they are asking for. That means they want people who can do what they are listing. Try and get that knowledge either from classes, volunteering or working.
Good luck!