The Iconic New York City Internships of NYU Students: Part 1

Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night! Cecily Johnson, a senior Film and Television major at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, commutes to 30 Rockefeller Plaza—better known as 30 Rock—for her internship at Saturday Night Live (SNL). There, she works in the script department, printing and circulating scripts to cast members during rehearsals. On Saturdays, she swiftly distributes updates while writers make live changes leading up to showtime.

“I expected working for such a large production to look much more like doing smaller tasks,” she says. “I didn’t expect to run around quite literally holding the show in my hands, ensuring it reaches the right people!”

Cecily applied to SNL three times, determined to land her dream New York City internship. Then, the third time around, her professor Christopher Goutman recommended her to a producer in SNL’s script department. “Professor Goutman’s faith in me motivated me to keep going when things got tough,” Cecily says. “I will forever be grateful to him for advocating for my success.”

At SNL, Cecily is gaining experience in a fast-paced, detail-oriented television environment. She knows these skills will help her succeed after graduation, when she aims to become a television writer. “It’s so exciting to be a part of such a staple in New York City culture,” she says. “What’s more, it’s a lot of fun seeing what I’m learning in class manifest in a real professional space.”

Yulianna Acuña, a double major in International Relations and Spanish in the College of Arts and Science, interns at the United Nations as the advisor to the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica. She drafts meeting summaries and contributes to Security Council reports on global issues. Further, she supports work on a resolution promoting the United Nation’s University of Peace, which is located in Costa Rica. “It’s been incredible to immerse myself in an international environment and contribute to work that has a tangible impact on global issues,” Yulianna says.

As the daughter of Costa Rican immigrants with aspirations to one day become Costa Rica’s ambassador to the United States, Yulianna’s internship at the United Nations provides incredible diplomacy experience. “From attending General Assembly meetings and witnessing presidents speak during High-level Week to collaborating with my colleagues at the mission, I’ve gained exceptional insight into the dynamic world of international relations,” she explains.

Yulianna used helpful resources from NYU’s Wasserman Center for Career Development during her internship search. “They provided invaluable support in refining my résumé and cover letter,” she says. “This helped ensure my application materials were as strong as possible. Additionally, I received the Wasserman Center Internship Grant for unpaid internships, which has been especially helpful in alleviating the financial burden that often comes with pursuing public service internships without compensation.”