Tuesday Tips: Advice for an Undergrad Looking for a Job in Entertainment Marketing (Los Angeles)

(l to r:) Melisa Kirkup (C’01) & Ashley Berger Woodall (C’06)

The other day I got an email from undergrad senior Ryan Townsend (C’08) who was interested in moving out to Los Angeles to pursue a career in Entertainment Marketing and/or Publicity.

Penn alumni Melisa Kirkup (C’01, Universal Marketing) and Ashley Berger Woodall (C’06, Warner Brothers Marketing) chimed in with some good tips regarding job searching and answering the #1 question most LA bound undergrads have: “Can I secure a job in Los Angeles before moving out there?”

From Melisa:

“While I think it is great to start networking and job hunting this early, I do think it is hard to find a job so many months in advance in the entertainment industry. Do not worry, most of us did not move out here from school with jobs!

I currently work as a Manager, Media Promotions at Universal Pictures. In Film Marketing we just do not hire with as long a lead time as you would like. We hire based on availability and openings and if there are jobs open now, HR would want someone to start within the month. That makes it difficult to look for positions from Philadelphia, this far ahead of graduation. I would be happy to talk to you once you are out here and see if there are any good job openings for you in marketing or publicity.

In the meantime I would focus on a few things:
-Networking-talk to as many alumni in LA as you can, often we know about jobs before they are posted to corporate sites. Utilize the class of 2007 graduates who are out in LA to see what has been successfull for them in their hunt.
-Research-know what companies/departments you would be interested in meeting with and we can start to ask around if anyone knows someone at those companies. The Alumni network in LA is very helpful.
-Attend PennClub LA meetings once you are out here-I met a vast majority of my early entertainment contacts through the Penn Club and being involved in Alumni events in LA. We will have a happy hour in September that is always a great place to meet people. The website for events is www.pennclubla.com
-Take informational meetings and interviews once you are out here-you never know who you may meet even if they don’t have a job for you right away. My current job at Universal came from meeting someone during an informational interview and I am very happy. While it can be frustrating having meetings with people that don’t have any job leads for you it’s always good to broaden your network of resources even if they are not currently hiring. Good luck!”

From Ashley:

“I have to agree with Melissa on this one. In an ideal world, there would be a nice position lined up for you months before your arrival in Los Angeles; unfortunately, as Melissa stated, the entertainment business rarely works that way.

Like you, I found myself a senior in college – rapidly approaching graduation – and without any real job prospects. I had spent my previous three summers interning at Warner Bros. in the publicity department and hoped that my experience there would lead to something more permanent.

Even with a large contact base, I found that most of the jobs I came across had immediate start dates. I was advised to hold off the job hunt until I was in a position to begin immediately. This advice proved entirely correct. Within a week of getting to Los Angeles, I was offered a temporary job in the publicity department – which led to a permanent position in area in which I currently work.

At the present time, I am the assistant to the Senior Vice President of Creative Advertising at Warner Bros. Our department is responsible for the creation of domestic theatrical campaigns – i.e. trailers, tv spots and print.

If this is an area that sounds at all appealing, I would be happy to speak with you, and offer up insight into the crazy creative process!

In general, I would follow Melissa’s advice and do everything you can to remain in “the loop.” Utilize your friends and contacts with jobs in the area in which you are looking to work…they will prove to be the most helpful!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions and good luck! All the best!”