SAEM Student Selected for Television Academy Foundation Summer Internship Program in Los Angeles

Meet Julie Bowser

Job Title & Employer: Agency Intern, Television Academy Foundation
Major/Program: Sports, Arts & Entertainment Management
Graduation: December 2019
College Activities: Study Abroad program
Scholarships: Trustee
Hometown: McKees Rocks, Pa.
High School: Montour High School
Now Living In: Los Angeles, Calif.
Dream Job: Something in the entertainment industry. If I end up in TV, I am really interested in unscripted television, and if I end up in music, I am really interested in A&R and tour management.
Hobbies & Interests: Music, travel and sports

"Our interns must be undergrad or graduate students interested in a career in television. We look for mature, sincere candidates like Julie who exhibit a clear interest and talent in their chosen area."

Nancy Robinson, Director of Education Programs, Television Academy Foundation

"My sports, arts and entertainment management major helped me get selected for the Television Academy Foundation’s 2018 Internship Program because it demonstrated my passion for the entertainment industry. Since this major is so unique, it helped set my application apart from the others."

Julie Bowser

Among thousands of applicants, Julie Bowser was one of only 50 students selected for the Television Academy Foundation’s 2018 Internship Program. The program provides paid internships at top Hollywood studios and production companies to college students nationwide.

What role did your SAEM degree play in helping you to be selected for this prestigious internship program?

My sports, arts and entertainment management major helped me get selected for the Television Academy Foundation’s 2018 Internship Program because it demonstrated my passion for the entertainment industry. Since this major is so unique, it helped set my application apart from the others. Also, the opportunities I have had in Pittsburgh helped me compete at a high level with the other applicants.

Tell us about the type of work you are doing for Verve Talent & Literary Agency in LA.

Verve Talent & Literary Agency represents many writers and directors in the industry who work behind the scenes in television and film. On a regular basis, one of my duties is to read scripts that are submitted from clients and writers who are looking for representation and write coverage on them for the agents.

Other work I do at Verve varies from day to day. I perform research tasks to find information about potential clients, management companies, production companies, etc. One of my favorite things to do is to float for assistants. This is where I get to cover their desk and do roll calls for the agents, which allows me to get one-on-one time with the agents, which is usually hard to come by because they are so busy.

Why did you choose Point Park University?

I chose Point Park specifically for the SAEM program. I originally wanted to go out of state for college, but changed my mind after I took the SAEM 101 course during my senior year of high school. I’ve always been interested in the entertainment industry, but I never really knew how to get into it until I heard about the SAEM program.

From taking the class in high school, I was able to meet some of the SAEM professors and I could tell they really wanted what was best for their students and to help them out in any way possible. Between the major and professors, I was confident in my decision of choosing Point Park.

What are your plans for this fall?

I am actually staying in Los Angeles for the fall and taking Point Park classes online for the semester. I have some interviews lined up for potential fall internship opportunities in LA. Now that I have seen part of the television and film industry in LA, I want to also experience the music industry here. I plan to continue to grow my network outside of the Pittsburgh market and take as many opportunities as possible to help me figure out where I want to go in my career path.

What are your career goals and how do you think your SAEM degree will help you reach them?

My career goals are always changing. I know I want to be in the entertainment industry, but there is so much of the industry I still want to learn about so I can figure out what my greatest passion is in it. Right now, I am leaning towards the music industry, but I truly do love TV. I plan to do more internships to figure out what I love the most.

I know I want to have multiple jobs in my career, which is one of the reasons I love the entertainment industry so much because it allows you to do that. I think my SAEM major will help me reach my goals because there is already so much I have learned including marketing, management, event planning, etc., which have been very useful things to know in the entertainment industry.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

The biggest thing I have learned is be open to new opportunities. Even if it is something you do not think you will like, you never know until you try it. I have had all kinds of internships and that is what has helped me figure out what I want to do and what I don’t want to do in the entertainment industry.

Another huge thing that has helped me is staying in touch with my advisor and professors. My Point Park advisor, Professor Ed Traversari, has helped me so much with opportunities in Pittsburgh and always wants to hear about what I am doing next. For me, the internships and opportunities outside of class have been what has helped my career the most. The industry is all about who you know so never be afraid to take opportunities and make connections.

SAEM Student Selected for Television Academy Foundation Summer Internship Program in Los Angeles Student Profile