Milan Miller '18, Television Programming and Scheduling Intern, Viacom
Firstly, I have ALWAYS wanted to be a member of the Viacom community, like ALWAYS. I applied when I got the chance and did not mind which of the Viacom networks I was placed in. I was placed at BET Networks. Working with this particular organization has been meaningful to me, because I wanted to examine how BET Networks serves as a form of cultural communication. I think it is important for myself as an African American female to intern at a company whose prime target audience is that of my culture. BET is also important to me, because it is one of the only entertainment outlets that showcases African Americans in a “positive” limelight. I know that when I turn on BET, I will see someone who looks like me doing something that is not "stereotypical". Being a part of this network has given me the opportunity to also see how a Black entertainment company is run.
2) How did you find this opportunity and what was the process like to get it?
I found out about this opportunity with BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc., by remaining in constant contact with Tonia Salas, who is the Career Program Manager at Posse New Orleans. By remaining in constant contact with Tonia Salas, I was able to find out that the Posse Foundation is a multi-city partner with Viacom. Since New Orleans is not one of Viacom's internships locations, Tonia was able to contact the Posse New York Career Program Manager, who manages the relationship between Viacom Inc. and the Posse Foundation. While in New Orleans over my previous Winter Break, I had an office visit with Tonia at the Posse Office in New Orleans. There we went over the step-by-step process of both applying for the Viacom Internship on the Posse Portal and the Posse Summer Leadership Award. Once back on Bard's campus I continued to check the Posse Portal each day until the application for this internship went live. When I was finally ready to apply for the internship, I applied on the Posse Portal and then let both Tonia and the member of Bard's career office know. I remained in contact with Tonia throughout the application process, because of the fact that the Viacom internship is one of Posse's most competitive.
3) Describe your internship and some of the most important things you learned.
During my internship with BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc., I interned with the Television Programming & Scheduling Department. The Programming Department analyzes, strategizes and executes the vision of BET Networks through three central functions: Planning & Strategy, which is the development of short-term and long-term planning strategies to shape the direction of the network for the next 3-5 years; Scheduling, which is the process of managing all show placement including original series, off-net series, movies, music programming and stunts in order to hit daily, weekly, monthly and annual revenue goals; and Acquisitions, which is evaluating and acquiring programming that meets overall corporate brand, ratings and scheduling objectives.
My primary job responsibilities have included: Supporting the Programming Department with any administrative needs that includes planning, scheduling and managing meetings, preparing and organizing documents, etc.; assisting the Department with monthly scheduling of BET and CENTRIC; developing weekly competitive analysis; and updating and tracking programming premieres/finales/specials on competitive networks. In addition to the above responsibilities, I have completed three major projects/presentations based on internship goals set by the myself and my supervisor at the beginning of the internship.
I have also gained additional skill sets such as becoming more PC and Mac literate, learning how to operate the Startrak Ratings System, and gaining more proficient knowledge of iWork Suite (Numbers, Pages, and Keynote) and Microsoft Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Publisher).
4) What advice would you give your peers about pursuing an internship while attending Bard?
I would tell my peers at Bard to literally just apply. Apply anywhere. Apply everywhere. I would also tell them to utilize LinkedIn and email as many people as possible. Lastly I would tell them to network and of course utilize the CDO. Listen, the only negative thing that could happen if you reach out is you getting ignored, rejected, or told no, so don’t be afraid.
5) What do you enjoy most about Bard College?
What I enjoy most about Bard is the safety of the “Bard Bubble”.