EARLY TALENT PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT:

INTERNING IN THE HOLLYWOOD OF THE SOUTH- THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM AN ATL RECRUITER (PLUS A PEEK AT OUR TECHWOOD CAMPUS!)

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Summer recruitment is in full swing (psst…check out our open intern roles here)! And if you’re wondering where to kick-start your internship journey, let us introduce you to someone who knows all the ins and outs—Khyra Larkin, Sr. Recruiter from our award-winning Early Talent Team in the U.S.

Yes, the team that’s tasked with reviewing thousands of resumes. But, don’t let that deter you! Khyra doesn’t just recruit interns—she designs the entire experience, from social events and career workshops to exclusive executive talks.

In the U.S., we have internship opportunities in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and more, but Atlanta? It’s the place to be! Khyra is going to give you the tea on our unforgettable internship experience along with how you can set yourself apart in the recruitment process and what decisions you should be making in college to set yourself up for success.

And, of course, a little extra love for her homebase-Atlanta. Does this sound like something that interests you? Keep reading on!

Can you Tell us about the Intern program in Atlanta?

Why, of course, my favorite topic! We have a full slate of intern positions every session in Atlanta, but we are actually a global program and host interns (along with apprentices, co-ops, and new grads) around the U.S. and throughout world.

Our intern program is all about helping students like you grow both professionally and personally. Our summer internships are full-time, paid, and for-credit. We give you the chance to gain real-world experience and build skills that’ll set you up for success in the media and entertainment world.

Aside from your day-to-day responsibilities with your team, you’d be able to participate in mentorship, executive speaker sessions, networking events, professional development seminars, etc. (Yes, managed by yours truly with the help of our awesome events team!!)

The ATL intern cohort is always a vibe and so close-knit. I’d like to attribute that to our campus-like atmosphere, but we also like to have a ton of chances to gather during the summer.

I was so proud of our community event impact events when we volunteered with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, an Urban Food Farm, and even wrote cards of love for seniors. That obviously gave us an opportunity to do some good in our local neighborhood!

We also like to have a ton of fun! Whether we’re cheering on our beloved Braves at the Battery, competing in a friendly pickleball tournament, playing specialty games with our very own Warner Asian Voices business resource group, or even taking a yoga class right here on campus, Atlanta’s intern crew keeps things lively.

Fun Fact: We don’t stop there! Our ATL intern cohort is also a part of ATL’s Intern After 5 organization, which gives ATL interns, beyond just WBD, an opportunity to get to know the region through a series of interactive events highlighting the city’s unique blend of careers, community and culture.

Ok! What do you love most about the Atlanta Techwood campus?

What I love most about Techwood is that you have a little bit for everyone. If you need a quick bite, in my humble opinion, we have the best “cafeteria” (which we call the Market) in the WBD-campus sphere. Forget Freshman 15, have you heard of the WBD 15? If you need to take a break after your meeting, there are multiple spaces to lounge outside and indoors OR grab a sweet treat from our very own Starbucks. Need a quick walk? Stroll around our large campus but we also have a half mile walking trail that will have you forgetting you’re at work. The energy of our ATL employees is magnetic – they make coming to work so much fun.

Our interns work on a hybrid schedule, meaning you'll get the best of both worlds—flexibility and hands-on experience in an exciting environment. We have a ton of great work spaces around the office to help ignite your creativity and fuel your curiosity to learn the ins and outs of the entertainment industry.

Unlike a traditional office building, you’ll find our interns hanging out in the quad at the picnic tables, collaborating in open desk spaces across our seven main buildings, or taking a break playing foosball. Want to see the magic of entertainment up close? You might find yourself working in our studios—or even running into celebrities like Shaquille O'Neal (yes, celebrity sightings happen here!).

There are so many major events that happens in this this office – like the presidential debate aired on CNN last year, which many of our former interns got to attend and work behind the scenes! And if you’ve heard of Say Yes to the Dress, we do our own version - Say Yes to the Prom where we get to be part of the excitement of local High School students finding their prom outfit!

The list goes on, but one thing’s for sure: interning in Atlanta means being at the heart of it all. Check out some of my favorite moments with our former Atlanta interns!

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The Atlanta office is surrounded by many great universities. What was your favorite campus activation during your recruitment trek through Atlanta?

This is a hard one! We did this about a month before our 2-week recruitment trek (linked), but, hands down, the Atlanta University Consortium Center (AUCC) Career Fair is my favorite annual event that we are a part of. We’re able to connect with the HBCU’s of Atlanta and meet so many passionate students interested in media and entertainment.

Of our recruitment trek events, I loved tabling on Kennesaw State University’s campus. We were able to meet students where they were, heading to class on campus. Lots of wonderful conversations came from that visit.

A close runner up is our “Ask Me Anything” session that we did with Georgia State University. There were 150 students in the room, and we took the time to answer their burning questions, which I find to be a bit more impactful than just doing an info session dump.

Click here to watch a recap video of our recruitment trek through Atlanta.

What open intern roles are available in Atlanta?

Intern opportunities range from technology, design, distribution, marketing, publicity, development, production, news, games, and animation, to corporate functions such as finance, legal, human resources, and more!

You can find our open roles in our Atlanta office here. But here’s a few roles we’d love to highlight:

B/R Betting Social Programming Intern | R000089969
CNN FactCheck Internships | R000089627 
CNN Newsgathering Internships | R000089631
CNN Social Publishing & Newsletter Intern | R000090173
CNN Weather Intern | R000089586
Contributions and Employee Impact Intern | R000089571
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Internships | R000089632
TNT Sports Talent Relations Intern | R000089734
WBD Sports Growth Strategy Engineer Intern | R000089968

What’s the first step to take when starting an application? How do I prep my resume?

The VERY first step is to carefully read the job description. A lot of times, students only look at the job title and we can tell – yikes. Take note of key skills, qualifications, and responsibilities that are listed there to ensure you're a good match.

Us recruiters are matching resumes with the job description to play match maker so tailor your resume to highlight how your experience aligns with the job's requirements. Customizing your application is essential, people!

How do I know if I made it to the next step and what’s the best way to prepare?

Any students that the team would like to consider further will go through our HireVue video screen. What is it? HireVue is an online platform we use to screen candidates through video. You’ll be asked various questions to record your answers to.

It’s daunting, I know! I had to do one for this job, so I get it, but it is part of the process. PLEASE treat a HireVue like any interview – do your research, dress professionally, pick a location with a strong internet connection, give context to your answers, and show enthusiasm for your role! Last, but not least, don’t forget to smile 😊

As a recruiter, is there anything you look for in a candidate? What are those qualities that makes a candidate stand out during the application process?

First, we are always looking for students that have a strong interest and passion for the entertainment industry, but that’s not all! Have you done a deep dive into our brands and content? If a hiring manager asked, why would you like to work here, do you have a THOUGHTFUL response? Worked on something relevant to the role in your class, during your volunteerism, or a student organization? Did you brand your resume to meet WBD’s aesthetic? *Opens Canva*

Second, they always say you have to have experience to get experience! If you are having trouble landing an opportunity you seek, assess your free time. An internship is not the only way, it could be a part-time campus job, taking on leadership in a student organization, a volunteer project, and even freelance work. Don’t settle for coasting by at school, see where you can be strategic about making an opportunity for yourself. Look, now you have something to talk about on your resume and during your interview?

Also, if we happen to be on your campus or offer an event you’re interested in, we always recommend you come and say hello. It helps us put a face to the name!

Atlanta is your homebase – outside of the Atlanta office, what is your favorite things about this city?

Atlanta is where Southern charm meets city hustle, plus we have a diverse population which is really important to me! The food? Full of variety and flavor. The culture and history? Nothing like it. Also, the music scene? On fire.

IMO we have some of the best food in the country with a mix of comfort classics and new flavors, which is one of my favorite parts. You can also find incredible global eats — Thai, Indian, Korean, you name it—just as easily as the Southern staples.

Another one of favorite things are how many amazing outdoor spots we have—whether it’s hiking up in the Chattahoochee National Forest, lounging in Piedmont Park, or perusing the BeltLine, there’s always something to get you outside.

The energy is contagious, you’ll thrive and feel alive in the city I’m lucky to call home.

I’m so excited to see your application for our Summer Internship Program in Atlanta!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity and apply today: https://careers.wbd.com/global/en/atlanta-summer-internship-opportunities