Published October 04, 2024

Embracing the NYC Internship Grind: Advice from an NYU Student

Olivia Federici

Class of 2025

Student Voices

Two girls smiling in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Fellow communications intern Juliet and I on our last day!

NYU is distinct from other universities in many ways. One of my favorites is the fact that the city is our campus. Uninhibited by campus walls, we are in and amongst New York City. This circumstance is awesome for several reasons. It supports our transition into adulthood, encouraging us to immerse ourselves in a bustling environment. Further, it lets us become members of larger communities, not just students. Also, it pushes us to take advantage of the professional opportunities around us. If you are interested in pursuing an internship during your time at NYU, read on for some advice.

My Experience

For reference, I am a senior at NYU. I have completed four internships during my time here. The second semester of my first year, I worked for a media-buying company. This was a numbers focused role, which exposed me to the quantitative elements of the media industry. My sophomore year, I interned for an NYU professor who has a media presence. In this position, I got a grasp of social media marketing.

Between my sophomore and junior year, I worked for The Smithsonian doing marketing and communications. Then, the second semester of my junior year, I worked for The Metropolitan Museum of Art doing a similar role in media relations. I didn’t expect to go down the museum communications route. However, I discovered that I really enjoy this niche. I could absolutely see myself working at a museum in the future. This upcoming year, I have an internship with NBCUniversal’s communications department focusing on late night entertainment. This is my dream role, and I can’t wait to enter an industry I have yet to explore!

This is a photo from one of my first weeks working at The Metropolitan Museum of Art!

Tip #1: Be Open-Minded

I was quite ambitious applying to internships my first year. That is not expected of you, and everyone goes at their own pace! In my case, I hadn’t had any experience in media and was interested in discovering what I (dis)liked about the industry. I applied to a bunch of roles that I thought I may excel in, in addition to some that just sounded cool. I would not have learned about media-buying if I hadn’t worked for that company. Even though I didn’t love how quantitative the work was, I had wonderful mentors. It gave me more insight into which projects may fulfill me the most. If you keep an open mind, something unexpected but transformative may fall in your lap.

Tip #2: Be Thorough

While keeping an open mind is key, it is also important to put time and effort into each of your applications. My phenomenal supervisor at The Met told me that the applications he prioritizes are the ones that emphasize the applicants’ connections to the museum. Anyone can write a generic message about wanting to expand their skills, but he said the ones that demonstrate an authentic interest in The Met’s purpose are most valuable. With that said, don’t change a word or two in your cover letter and submit it to a bunch of LinkedIn posts. Instead, keep an eye out for jobs you could see yourself doing, and write about why you can easily visualize such.

a marble statue in a museum — A film photo taken in Petrie Court

Tip #3: Be Kind

You can be the most successful person in the world, but if you are unkind, no one is going to want you on their team. When you are interviewing with hiring managers, treat them like you would anyone else, while being professional of course. Ask how their day has been and what they like about their job. People will always appreciate when you extend that kindness. Also, at the end of the day, people love talking about themselves! Creating a bit of a back and forth builds a solid rapport and sets you on the right track.

That Said ...

Everyone at NYU is on their own distinct path. If that looks like an internship for you, that’s awesome! If it doesn’t, that’s awesome too! College is a time to discover what fulfills you, and you do not have to follow any one path. For those who do hope to work, I hope these tips help you, and I wish you good luck in the internship hunt.

Olivia Federici

Class of 2025

Olivia Federici (she/her) is a senior studying Media, Culture, and Communication at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development with a minor in the Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology. Born and raised in the small town of Oxford, Connecticut, she brought with her to NYU a vigor to enrich her academic pursuits through conducting traditional coursework and immersing in the social fabric of the city. During the school year, she serves as an Admissions Ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, as well as a Writing Tutor at the Writing Center. Off-campus, she embarks on photo walks, learning from those whom she meets along the way.