2006 CPB/Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship Grant Program
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Emma Bowen Foundation?
The Foundation was established in 1989 by the media industry to increase access to job opportunities for minority students. Students work for partner companies from their last summer in high school through their senior year of college. During the five-year program, students receive experience in various aspects of the sponsoring company, from operations to administrative functions. The program focuses on scholastic achievement, direct work experience, and professional development.
What is CPB's goal in participating in this program?
CPB began co-sponsoring this program with the Emma Bowen Foundation in summer 2005 as a first step in our ongoing efforts to recruit and develop talent in public broadcasting. This particular program gives us the opportunity to increase the range of voices, backgrounds, cultures, and ideas within the industry by bringing a new generation of public broadcasters in at the entry level and providing relevant training and experience.
What will this studentship program cost my company?
Stations will pay the students' salaries (normally a $7.00 - $10.00 hourly fee – determined by what is typical at each station) each summer. This should amount to an annual station cost of about $1,000-$2,000 per summer (8-10 week period).
What costs will CPB pay?
CPB will pay a $10,000 annual sponsorship fee to the Emma Bowen Foundation which will enable stations to hire students through this program. CPB will also reimburse stations 50% of each students' salary (up to $2,000 per summer), as well as match the full salary (up to $4,000), paying into a scholarship fund for the student which is managed by the Foundation. This scholarship fund is used to help students defray the costs of college tuition and related expenses.
Why does the program entail a five-year commitment?
The Foundation has found this type of program to be most beneficial to the students and organizations participating in the program. By starting students in the program during their senior year of high school and continuing that relationship throughout college, the students and organizations are able to build upon the skills, experiences, and network gained each year, better preparing the student for a career in the media industry.
What other resources does my station need to provide the student?
Each student should be provided with a supervisor to oversee their work and develop their skills. Supervisors will be provided with a toolkit to help them with this responsibility. Stations should consider different work experiences and levels of responsibility they can provide the student over time. In addition, stations should provide a mentor for the student in order to meet with the student and supervisor regularly to provide guidance and advice. The Foundation will work closely with the stations to help monitor students' work and academic progress.
How does the Foundation identify potential students?
The Foundation invites applications from minority students with a cumulative 3.0 grade point average or better and an interest in the media industry. They review applications which include essays, academic references, and academic records and conduct interviews. (You can read about some of the students who have gone through this program by viewing: http://www.emmabowenfoundation.com/main.html, then click on Our Graduates.)
Will I get to interview and select the student for my station?
Yes. Once the Foundation identifies potential students in the location of your station they will refer those applications to you for interviews. You will decide who you would like to hire or if you would like them to search further.
What is required of students to continue participation in the program?
Students must be continuously enrolled in a four-year college degree program, maintain at least a 3.0 GPA, and consistently perform satisfactorily in the job.
What is the Foundation's ongoing role with students and the program?
The Foundation closely monitors students' work and academic progress throughout the program. They also advise students and stations as needed, and offers professional development programs for the students. Foundation staff promotes the program to educators, legislators, and businesses. This student program meets the FCC's criteria for an Outreach Initiative for EEO Compliance.
What are typical assignments for students?
The Foundation will work with each station to best determine needs and opportunities for student roles each year. In other media organizations assignments have ranged from working with the public relations staff to plan and implement outreach activities, working in newsrooms, operating cameras and editing equipment, assisting in sales and marketing with research and presentation materials, working in finance, administration and human resource departments, working on graphic design and promotion projects, attending meetings, answering phones, filing, drafting correspondence. The focus in this program is to plan assignments that help build skills and develop confidence.
What other types of media organizations participate in this program?
Among the participants are commercial TV and radio stations, independent broadcasters, cable television systems and programmers, media hardware suppliers, and advertising agencies. The Foundation is continuing to expand this universe of program sponsors.
Does the Foundation recruit in my area?
Attached is a list of cities in which the Foundation is recruiting for summer 2006. If you are interested but your area is not on this list, please let us know and the Foundation can explore instituting recruiting activities in that area next year.
Will there be opportunities for interaction among station representatives and/or students?
CPB will bring participating station representatives together this summer to provide feedback on the program and to share experiences with other stations. We also hope to bring the public broadcasting students together to benefit from each others' experiences in the program.