Employer
Viacom Media Networks - Nickelodeon
Internship Title
Consumer Products Licensing Intern
What were your duties?
•Assisted in managing the relationships with master toy partners for properties like Blaze, Shimmer and Shine, Sunny Day, Butterbean, JoJo Siwa, SpongeBob and Dora by communicating with all partners daily
•Oversaw product strategy and development for products within the construction, plush, vehicles, arts & crafts, games & electronic learning categories by attending all creative, packaging and partner meetings
•Researched potential areas of growth and reviewed competitive landscape for new and existing business
•Tracked product samples by using Excel daily and ensured all sample requests were fulfilled
What did you most enjoy about your internship?
I enjoyed everything about my internship! I worked on the 42nd floor, overlooking Times Square, it was truly a dream come true. I got to see SpongeBob and the TMNTs daily, and the rest of my co-workers were amazing to work with! Everyone was always around to help & answer any questions I had. I always felt like I was part of the team, and my ideas were always welcomed. I got to attend several intern events, meet some of Viacom & Nickelodeon's executives, and explore all Nickelodeon floors. My favorite room in the office: the draw & play room. It was a room filled with core-exercise-balls & a dry-erase wall.
What was the most difficult aspect of the internship?
I always knew I would want to work in the Entertainment industry, however I was not sure in what area of entertainment. Since I was working on consumer products, I had to learn about the toy industry in entertainment. I knew very little about toys going into the internship, which made it difficult to understand everything at first. I was fortunate enough to have a great boss who always answered my questions, and made sure to take time each day to educate me on something new toy-related. I learned more than I can imagine about both entertainment & toys, and the best part was having toys surrounding my desk.
How did your experience at ILLINOIS and in the College of Media prepare you for your internship?
My experience at Illinois and in the College of Media prepared me through the courses I have been taking. Each course taught me something different, and the best part was I was able to apply what I learned in the classroom to my actual work. I also received many interview tips, and was able to have my resume/cover letters reviewed. All the experiences I have had at Illinois, allowed me to truly find what I am passionate about and gave me the confidence to continue following my dreams.
How has your internship prepared you for a career?
My internship prepared me for my career by allowing me to figure out exactly what I want to do. I had informational meetings with over twenty employees at Viacom, and learned about many different departments within Viacom/Nickelodeon. I am now more sure I want to pursue my career in Entertainment. However, there are so many awesome departments that choosing just one is hard. In the long run, I would love to do corporate social responsibility in entertainment. In the meantime, I would love to experience as much in the Entertainment Industry as I can.
What recommendations do you have for other students about doing an internship?
Do not get discouraged when applying! I applied to several internships, most of which were very competitive. I knew I wanted to be in entertainment, but also knew it is one of the most competitive industries. Mid-April, I landed my first interview with Nickelodeon, and by end of April I accepted my offer. This taught me that everything truly happens for a reason. I was worried that I would not get any internships, and instead I landed my dream internship. Also, once you are interning, meet as many people as you can and have as many informational meetings as you can! Through informational meetings, I learned about many different professional's backgrounds and careers. Thanks to them, I am not worried about life post-graduation, instead I know to keep chasing my dreams and to remember that everything always works out in the end/happens for a reason.
