As an entertainment law intern, you need to be able to develop the foundation of knowledge necessary to build your start in the industry. That includes working to ensure that the various agreements are in line with the firm’s and/or studio’s interests, as well as understanding the law behind the protection of intellectual property rights. Like in home construction, what you put in at the ground level is essential to your success in the long term.
Emulating the methods of successful legal interns in the entertainment field can be compared to building strong and reliable materials into your home. Just as you may experience problems from the foundation cracking and weakening, such issues as inadequate negotiation skills or an inability to see the big picture will have a long term impact on one’s career. Interns who can manage their time wisely, communicate effectively, work well with others and pursue all tasks with the utmost diligence will be well-positioned for a successful career.
In the article How To Thrive as an Entertainment Law Intern, published by District Hardware, the author notes that interns should be quick to jump into research, correspondence and meetings. Using a “watch and learn” approach will only get people so far. When you have the opportunity to go on the defense of an entertainment legal matter, get in on the action by taking in all the information you can and applying it to the case at hand. Those who can take the reins early will learn the most while doing it, which is the ideal way to get ahead.
Working as an entertainment legal intern offers plenty of opportunities to learn from experienced staff members. Take these opportunities in stride by getting to know the different people you work with, including both other interns and superiors. Learning from others’ success and failure is invaluable to your professional growth, and it’s important to use these experiences to determine what you want out of your own internship and eventually career. In many respects, you will be like a house, needing to absorb the different surroundings in order to react appropriately later.
Practicing for a future career while maintaining the duties of an entertainment law intern is no easy task. You’ll need to be able to stay on top of your daily work while also staying in touch with the projects you’re interested in – whether it’s writing, negotiating or another field that requires your attention. This will provide you with an edge when it comes to longevity in any company, much like how choosing high-quality materials and systems for your home builds in longevity for its occupants.
Just as company may change over the course of the years, so too will your goals as an entertainment law intern. Remaining open to change is a great way to evolve as a professional, much like how your concept of the perfect house will change with time. If your internship is designed to last for an entire course of study, you’ll have plenty of time to adjust your expectations. Just as you look for reliable materials for your home, seek to be a high-quality provider for the legal entertainment industry.
While you may not know who exactly will buy the home you’ve built or which systems will be victors in the coming homes wars, you can rest assured that you’ve done all that you can to provide quality stability. Much like examining the blueprints for the home of an entertainment legal intern, striving for worthiness is the perfect place to start.