Besides fulfilling your childhood dreams of living in an exciting city, interning in Los Angeles is a great launchpad for your career. Los Angeles is known for entertainment, arts, and business internships and has a rich and vibrant arts, media, and intern scene.
Summer internships provide you with many valuable experiences, giving a real taste of what it’ll be like to work in your preferred industry down the line. You’ll connect with potential mentors, learn trade secrets, and build relationships with coworkers with a range of expertise. Internships beef up resumes, provide valuable avenues to letters of recommendation, and can even turn into full-time jobs. If you consider all of these perks of interning and add the benefit of exploring a diverse city that’s full of opportunities, you have a very compelling list of reasons to intern in Los Angeles. Continue reading along for tips on how to find the best paid summer 2021 or fall internships in Los Angeles.
Tips for your resume and profiles
Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, an impressive Los Angeles internship is more attainable than ever. Recruiters are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in Los Angeles than an unfinished one.
Tips for your internship interview
When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your resume and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s career center or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.
Tips for networking at college internships in Los Angeles
Once you’ve landed an internship in Los Angeles and settled into the flow of day-to-day life at the office, start chatting with your coworkers. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.
Want more tips for getting the most out of your internship?
Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.
Where can I find an internship in Los Angeles?
Here is a list of employers looking for interns in Los Angeles, including some of the best companies to intern for in Los Angeles:
TikTok
TikTok is a social media platform for short mobile videos.
- Industry: Social Media
- Types of roles: Software Developers, Business Analysts, Proofreaders/Copy Markers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at TikTok if you’re majoring in media studies, computer science, or business, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Goldman Sachs
Goldman Sachs is a global investment banking and financial services company that offers services in investment management, assets, brokerage, and securities underwriting.
- Industry: Investment Banking
- Types of roles: Accountants, Business Analysts and Management Consultants, Investment Banking Analysts
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for a Goldman Sachs internship if you’re majoring in business or accounting, or have taken applicable courses in management or accounting.
Credit Suisse
Credit Suisse is a leading investment bank and financial services company.
- Industry: Investment & Portfolio Management
- Types of roles: Auditors, Business Analysts and Management Consultants, Investment Banking Analysts
- Recommended applicants: Apply for a Credit Suisse internship if you’re majoring in business or entrepreneurship, or have taken applicable courses in economics or finance.
Insight Global
Insight Global is a national staffing and services company specializing in sourcing information for accounting, tech, and others.
- Industry: Human Resources
- Types of roles: Advertising and PR Managers, Human Resources, Sales Agents
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Insight Global if you’re majoring in accounting, PR, or computer science, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
CohnReznick LLP
CohnReznick LLP is an accounting, tax, and advisory firm.
- Industry: Accounting
- Types of roles: Accountants, Auditors, Bookkeepers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at CohnReznick LLP if you’re majoring in accounting or finance, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Sherwin-Williams Company
Sherwin-Williams Company is a general building materials company.
- Industry: Consumer Packaged Goods
- Types of roles: Retail Salespersons, Sales Agents, Sales Supervisors
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Sherwin-Williams if you’re majoring in business, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Keyence Corporation
Keyence Corporation is a direct sales organization that develops and manufactures automation solutions.
- Industry: Direct Sales
- Types of roles: Sales Agents, Sales Engineers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Keyence Corporation if you’re majoring in business administration, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Riot Games
Riot Games is a video game developer, publisher, and esports tournament organizer.
- Industry: Internet & Software
- Types of roles: Graphic Designers, Software Developers and Engineers, Special Effects Artists, Animators
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Riot Games if you’re majoring in computer science, animation, or graphic design, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Techouts
Techouts is a business technology solutions provider.
- Industry: Computer Networking
- Types of roles: Software Developers and Engineers
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Techouts if you’re majoring in engineering or computer science, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Partizan Entertainment
Partizan Entertainment is an entertainment company featuring films, animation, and other forms of content.
- Industry: Movies, TV, Music
- Types of roles: Camera Operators, Video Editors, Writers/Authors
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at Partizan Entertainment if you’re majoring in media studies, English, or communications, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The FDIC is a financial regulatory agency.
- Industry: Commercial Banking & Credit
- Types of roles: Financial Compliance Examiners
- Recommended applicants: Consider applying for an internship at the FDIC if you’re majoring in finance, or if you’ve taken courses in applicable areas.
Tips and tricks to surviving your Los Angeles internship
If you’re a transplant or even if you’ve called LA home forever, it never hurts to review advice for living in the city during your internship. After you’ve figured out how to get an internship in Los Angeles, think about the other parts of your internship journey.
Use your car… or buy a Metro TAP Card
No matter where your apartment is or where you’re commuting to in the city, if it’s not within walking distance it’s going to take a while to get there–even with a car. If you aren’t bringing your car, you’re going to need public transportation to your destination. Purchasing a Metro TAP Card is highly recommended to make reloading funds a breeze.
If you’re frequently commuting and feeling savvy, go for the monthly pass! You’ll be able to mindlessly ride the metro during your commute hours and won’t have to think about counting out your cash every time you board.
Don’t get (too) lost, download the LA Metro and Bus app
This app will help get you oriented to the city and find the right connections to wherever you’re going.
5 essential Los Angeles restaurants to try during your internship
- Dalessandro’s Steaks & Hoagies
- Zahav
- Vernick Food & Drink
- Han Dynasty
- Federal Donuts
Things to experience during your time in Los Angeles
- Griffith Observatory
- The Getty
- LACMA
- Hollywood Forever Cemetery
- Disneyland
3 neighborhoods to considering living in during your Los Angeles internship
- Highland Park
- Eagle Rock
- Silver Lake
How do I find an apartment in Los Angeles?
Consider these resources to help your Los Angeles apartment search:
- Apartments.com
- Zillow
- Hotpads
- Craigslist
- Join a Los Angeles Housing, Rooms, Apartments, and Sublets group on Facebook
Where to order food from in Los Angeles
Finding an internship in Los Angeles
How do I find the best paid internships in Los Angeles?
When searching for a paid internship in Los Angeles, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy internships in Los Angeles are just a search away.
You can also research top companies in Los Angeles by visiting our list of Handshake employers and typing Los Angeles into the “Location” search bar. This way you’ll be able to see employers in your desired location. Once on the company’s page, you can read reviews from students who have interned there or study up on some interview questions.
Where do interns live in Los Angeles?
To find rentals, many interns use resources like Craigslist, Zillow, and other sites specifically for apartment hunting. If you have any connections in the city, it’s also always good to consider those first.
To start your hunt, try searching in popular neighborhoods like Highland Park, Eagle Rock, or Silver Lake.
How can an intern live in Los Angeles?
Moving to a new city is equal parts exciting and nerve wracking–make sure you have all your details squared away for your internship before you pack your bags.
Here are a few things to consider:
- Have you checked out tips on how to land an internship?
- Do you need your internship to provide compensation?
- Are you renting in an affordable and safe neighborhood?
- Do you have a car/bike or are you comfortable using the metro frequently?
- Will the food options available work for you?
How can I get an internship without experience in Los Angeles?
If you don’t have previous experience and want to kickstart your first internship in Los Angeles, don’t fret! There are definitely ways to land that role you’ve had your eyes on. Los Angeles internships want you!
Start by reviewing your resume! Read it over a couple of times and then consider the types of internships you’re going to be applying for. Think back to courses you’ve taken at university, as well as any extracurriculars, volunteer work, or even organizations (clubs or greek life for example) that you’ve participated in. Organize the skills that you’ve gained from those experiences and add them to your resume and Handshake profile. Even though you might not have held an internship or job before, there are still ways to prove your worth through other skills and experiences.