{"id":4757,"date":"2019-09-26T17:51:25","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T21:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/?page_id=4757"},"modified":"2026-02-13T14:37:05","modified_gmt":"2026-02-13T19:37:05","slug":"internship-faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/internships\/internship-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Internship FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do I have to do internships for credit?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Yes, the internship is a graded course, taken for 4.0 academic credit. You can see course requirements on the <\/span>syllabus (available on Blackboard)<\/span>. <\/span>Whether you choose to do one or two internships, you will still receive 4.0 credits total.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the internship timeline? How does it work?<\/b><\/h3>\n

See here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

How do I interview for a remote internship?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The vast majority of companies will consider their interns based on a phone or Zoom interview, whether the actual position is remote or in-person.<\/span><\/p>\n

What if I\u2019m in LA this semester and get offered a remote internship?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Many companies are continuing to offer remote internships in a post-COVID world. Many companies have also begun to offer hybrid internship opportunities. BULA will support in-person, remote, or hybrid internships.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I search for an internship not provided by BULA?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Absolutely. Pursuing an internship through online searching or familial relationships is great. In fact, we encourage you to do so. <\/span>(Please see our <\/span>Internship Resources page <\/span><\/a>and scroll down to \u201cThe Where and The How\u201d for external resources to search for internships.)<\/span> When and if you are offered a chance to interview with an outside lead, the company will have to be vetted by BULA staff. We want to make sure the company is legitimate, accommodating of your class schedule, falls within the parameters of our program, and won\u2019t take advantage of you or ask you to do something that could get anyone into trouble. Please coordinate your search with BULA and help us help you.<\/span><\/p>\n

What if I get a non-LA based remote internship?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Since we as a program are based in LA, internships should be LA-based, even if remote. On a case-by-case scenario, BULA might approve of remote internships outside the LA area. Please contact a staff member to discuss.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Will I be paid? If so, how much?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Most internships in LA are unpaid, however, there are certain exceptions. Some companies (usually large studios or major corporations) offer compensation of $13-15\/hour. These internships tend to be particularly competitive. Students should not expect to get paid internships, and BULA cannot prioritize paid opportunities for any student over another.<\/span><\/p>\n

Am I guaranteed a placement? Can I pick the company I work for?<\/b><\/h3>\n

While BULA cannot guarantee what internship you will get, we will work with you until you\u2019ve secured a commitment of at least 20 hours\/week at an internship. While our staff will provide \u201cwarm leads\u201d in the weeks leading up to your semester in LA, it is up to you to apply for and interview with each company. Due to the ever-changing needs of our internship providers, we cannot guarantee placement. The more you communicate and work with BULA staff, the better we can assist you in finding and pursuing good internship prospects. <\/span>It should be noted that internships in LA are always competitive, especially remote internships that are not limited to LA-based students.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I have multiple internships?<\/b><\/h3>\n

While it\u2019s not required, some students secure two internships and divide their time between the two locations. During the interview and hiring process, students coordinate with their employers to arrange an appropriate schedule. Whether you wish to do one or two internships is solely your decision. However, students should be aware that pursuing a full-time workload can be difficult,<\/span> especially when internships are remote and partially asynchronous.<\/span> It is undoubtedly a challenging experience, and students should be clear on what they are agreeing to before accepting multiple internships. Quitting an internship you’ve already accepted can negatively impact your grade, so make your decision very carefully.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are there any restrictions for international students?<\/b><\/h3>\n

International students on an F1 visa are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters. So, international students participating during those semesters must work 20 hours exactly. During the Summer semester, there is no limit of internship hours. Read more about policies and procedures for international students <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If I commit to an internship and hate it, can I leave?<\/b><\/h3>\n

BULA makes every effort to pair its students with terrific internship opportunities, and it is your responsibility to choose your position wisely. Therefore, a decision to quit your assignment prematurely, except in the case of abuse, sexual harassment, or unsafe work conditions, will negatively impact your internship grade. If, for example, you are unhappy with the type of work you\u2019re doing, BULA staff can help you navigate how to discuss your concerns with your supervisor and find a productive path forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

How often do BULA students secure employment as a result of their involvement with BULA?<\/b><\/h3>\n

The majority of students experience a direct correlation between their experience with BULA and their future employment, whether they are hired by one of their internship providers or are able to capitalize on a connection they made while participating in the program.<\/span><\/p>\n

What do I wear to interviews or to work?<\/b><\/h3>\n

People in Los Angeles tend to dress more casually at work. For most interviews we recommend that you think along the lines of \u201cBanana Republic.\u201d Examples include slacks and a button-down, skirt and a blouse, or a professional dress (no sundresses or nightclub outfits!). Suits and ties are rarely recommended, except in the case of major talent agencies and occasionally large film studios. Many of you will find that the person interviewing you will be dressed more casually. Don\u2019t worry. Once you have secured the position you can slowly determine what is appropriate in your work environment. It is better to make a positive and professional first impression. <\/span>We recommend you follow these guidelines even for remote internships as you will likely be participating in Zoom meetings. If you are expected to do errands or any physical work at your internship, make sure you wear clothes and shoes you can do that work in. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do I have to do internships for credit? Yes, the internship is a graded course, taken for 4.0 academic credit. You can see course requirements on the syllabus (available on Blackboard). Whether you choose to do one or two internships, you will still receive 4.0 credits total.\u00a0 What is the internship timeline? How does it […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11275,"featured_media":0,"parent":4644,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4757"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11275"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4757"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4757\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5623,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4757\/revisions\/5623"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4644"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/losangeles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4757"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}