Marisa Lamas (‘27 Public Relations, Advertising, and Entertainment Marketing; Creative and Cultural Industries minor )

This edition of Career Corner features Marisa Lamas (‘27 Public Relations, Advertising, and Entertainment Marketing; Creative and Cultural Industries minor ). Lamas shares her experience while interning at the Newport Beach Festival. Please make an appointment with me if you are interested in getting an internship.

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern with the Newport Beach Film Festival during its 25th anniversary. I first learned about this opportunity last year while volunteering at the festival, where I met numerous interns and inquired about their experiences. After a successful week, a staff member recommended that I apply for the summer internship. Although it seemed so far away at the time, I knew I wanted to pursue it. My time there was filled with inspiring people, meaningful projects, and invaluable career lessons. Here are the top five takeaways that shaped my professional journey.

1. Take Initiative

Initially, I joined the social media team, focusing on conceptualizing and creating content for Instagram, Facebook, X, and TikTok. However, content creation turned out to be just a fraction of my role. Across the festival’s various departments, interns were called upon to lend an extra hand wherever needed.

One of my key takeaways was the importance of stepping up and delivering quality work. After assisting the Coordinator of Shorts Programming, I was invited to officially join the shorts programming team—a move that opened the door to exciting opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. Being proactive and willing to contribute beyond your assigned tasks leaves a lasting impression.

2. Build Connections

The Newport Beach Film Festival introduced me to a network of incredibly passionate individuals. From fellow interns to staff members, everyone was a pleasure to work with. Starting early allowed me to build strong, meaningful relationships that will last far beyond the festival.

These connections paid off in unexpected ways. Fellow interns, many of whom were balancing other film-related jobs, referred me to positions on student film sets at Cal State Fullerton, UC Irvine, and Chapman. Before the internship even ended, I received a personal invitation to apply for a spring internship. Plus, my LinkedIn network grew significantly—a testament to the power of cultivating genuine connections.

3. Be Adaptable

Working at a film festival taught me that unpredictability is part of the job. Plans could shift dramatically overnight—securing a feature film one day, losing it the next, and scrambling to find a replacement.

In these moments, adaptability was essential. Employers value team members who can quickly pivot and tackle the next challenge without dwelling on setbacks. Embracing flexibility not only kept projects moving forward but also demonstrated resilience and professionalism.

4. Ask for Help

One of the most important lessons I learned was the value of asking for help. The festival staff understood that interns might not have prior experience with certain tasks and were always eager to guide us.

Seeking assistance shows that you care about delivering quality work and are eager to learn. It’s far better to ask questions and complete a task correctly than to make avoidable mistakes. This collaborative mindset fosters growth, which is exactly what internships are meant to accomplish.

5. Employers Notice Hard Work

Although my internship required only 120 hours for credit, I consistently went above and beyond, taking on additional responsibilities and working overtime to contribute to the festival’s success.

This extra effort didn’t go unnoticed. My dedication earned me exclusive opportunities, letters of recommendation, and invitations to special events. On my last day, several staff members expressed their appreciation for my hard work and emphasized the impact I had on the festival. Knowing my contributions mattered was incredibly rewarding.

Interning at the Newport Beach Film Festival was a transformative experience that significantly shaped my professional outlook. The lessons I learned about initiative, adaptability, and collaboration have prepared me for whatever the future holds, and I am confident they will continue to guide me on my career journey.