How To Break In...

So, I get many questions from young people about how to break into the entertainment industry. Every time I am speaking at a college or university, the first question is generally what is it like to work in the entertainment industry? What advice would you give to someone who does not live in New York or L.A. who wants to be in the entertainment industry?

To help answer many of your questions, on a weekly basis I will provide insights and my thoughts on what you should do to break into this everchanging, and difficult industry called "The Entertainment Business."

If you are a college student living outside of New York or L.A. it is important that you do an internship at one of the entertainment companies. Contact the human resources departments at the record labels and the television/film production companies and inquire about their summer, fall, winter, and spring internships. Each company has one and many departments are always looking for interns. Trust me, no one is going to pass up free labor.

Make sure you have a clear and concise resume which demonstrates your skill sets and anything that helps you stand out from other candidates. Everyone and their momma is trying to break into this business, so if your resume sounds and looks like everyone elses, you will get looked over. Just like Simon Cowell says on American Idol, "You are boring. I am sure no one will remember you after this performance."

Once you've been hired as an intern, first things first. This is a business. It is entertainment, but at the end of the day it is a business. Treat it and yourself as such. Be professional. Be on time for work. Dress appropriately. Don't sit and talk on the company's phone calling all your friends bragging about where you are working for the summer.

And, most importantly, young ladies it will be tempting to sleep with your sexy, good-looking, powerful boss. DON'T!!! I know of many young women, and men, who get caught up in the trap of, "Well, no one will find out. This could help me eventually get hired into the company, and then I will become V.P., and then President." It won't. It will get you a reputation. You will be known in this business and it won't be for your work ethic.

Young men, flirting with your older sexless unhappily married boss (man or woman) will not get you into the boardroom any quicker. You may get some concert tickets, CD's, t-shirts, and industry party invitations, but most executives get those things for free anyway and pass them along as perks to their employees. You getting them is not because they "really, really like you."

Overall, have fun. Be creative. Be assertive. Make yourself invaluable. Better yet indispensible. If you stand out amongst the crowd for your great working attitude and ethic, you will be asked to come back. They will remember you and who knows, you may become the next Russell Simmons, Sean P. Diddy Combs, Steve Stoute, Sylvia Rhone, or Christina Norman.

You can find out more in my upcoming book, "Hiding In Hip Hop."

Peace and blessings,

Terrance Dean