First Jobs Testimonials

Testimonials

Alumni:

Laurie J. Gardiner: Master of Fine Arts - Film & Television Production 2018
First jobs has truly been my saving grace! With the help of this program, I was able to go on a number of interviews and connect with phenomenal executives immediately following graduation in 2018. By 2019, I landed an incredible position working as an Executive Coordinator at Asylum Entertainment. I am super blessed to be working amongst some of the best in Hollywood and I truly couldn't have done it without the help of First Jobs. Sign up today; you won't regret it!

Joshan Smith Animation: Animation 2016
At the beginning of 2020, I applied for a job in the program looking for a production assistant at an animation studio. I got the job working at Bento Box Entertainment on the show HouseBroken. Funnily enough, I started the job at the beginning of the pandemic and was so thankful to have that job. When season 2 rolled around, I noticed they were searching to replace an assistant editor, so I advocated for myself to be promoted to that position. After a trial period, they decided to promote me, and I also joined the editor's union! I am so thankful that First Jobs connected me with this amazing job opportunity.

Olivia Tapia: Business of Cinematic Arts 2019
The Industry Relations Office is the best! They go above and beyond to help new alumni jumpstart their careers within the entertainment industry through the First Jobs program. Everyone at the office truly cares and takes the time to meet with students and alumni across all SCA disciples to give them advice on how to reach their career goals. When I was about to graduate, the entire Industry Relations team in First Jobs utilized their contacts from years of experience in the industry to ensure that my resume was seen by hiring managers at major entertainment companies from all across the industry. Nobody cares more about helping alumni get their foot in the door in the entertainment industry and I am so grateful to have them on my side during the job application process! 

Rebecca Singer: Bachelor of Arts- Cinema & Media Studies 2019
The USC First Jobs program has been nothing short of miraculous in helping me acquire my first job post-graduation. Finding a job at any stage can be daunting, but the program supported and encouraged me through every step of the process. From its invaluable guidance to its relentless follow-through, the First Jobs Program champions its participants to success and gives them the knowledge and confidence to boldly enter into their professional careers after USC. This program has made me proud to be an SCA graduate, and I hope to make USC equally as proud of me in the future.

Brandon Hall: Master of Fine Arts- Film & Television Production 2017
First Jobs has been an oasis in a desert of job application black holes. I have no idea how resumes get seen, but responding to job board postings with a resume and a thoughtfully written cover letter does not seem to do the trick. First Jobs, Aaron Kaplan, and Lisa Fox, specifically, have taken on the role of agent for USC alumni, pulling our resumes from the scrap heap of anonymity and providing advocacy where else there'd be none. All without taking a commission! The first couple years out of school are notoriously difficult; having First Jobs on my team has saved me from a few crises of the soul. I'm so grateful to Industry Relations and the whole First Jobs team.

Andrew Reid: Master of Fine Arts- Film & Television Production 2017
The USC First Jobs program has been instrumental in jump starting my career. Having the opportunity to work at Pearl Street Films upon graduation has introduced me to top tier filmmakers, creative executives and agents in the film industry. First Jobs has served as a bridge for me to transition from student to full time work. As I continue to grow as a filmmaker, I will forever be grateful for the support and network USC has provided me!

 

Employers:

Vox, Inc./Wes Stevens
"The best testimonial for First Jobs is that our agency, VOX, Inc., just hired our third associate recruited through the program. We had terrific success identifying, hiring and managing associates through the First Jobs program. The amount of screening time and training time for new recruits at the assistant level has been dramatically reduced. We know we can trust the level of candidate being submitted and they have risen above any and all submissions we receive from the general market. Once onboarded, the First Jobs associates have arrived with a work ethic and business acumen that is not easily or inexpensively developed. Each associate has jumped into the job and been helpful from day one, and typically fully trained and independent within a month. Work ethic and commitments have been amongst the highest of our hires in our 20 year history. Trust and results are cornerstones of business, First Jobs delivers both, again and again. Thank you First Jobs and USC for the special people you have brought to our company and the impact you've had on our bottom line - we are proud to call them a part of our VOX family."

FourFront/Ilan Benjamin, SCA Alum
"First Jobs helped me get my first writing job out of film school and - years later, when I began my own business - First Jobs became my #1 resource for recruiting. Lisa & the entire Industry Relations team are incredible, kind, and dedicated to helping young alumni land quality jobs in the industry and beyond. I was lucky to have First Jobs when I graduated. I'm even luckier today. From the bottom of my heart, a huge thank you to SCA & First Jobs for everything"!

We’re Not Brothers Productions/Daniel Barnz and Ben Barnz, SCA Alum 
“First Jobs was a revelation. Within hours of talking to Lisa, we had a slew of remarkable resumes in our inbox. The candidates we met were uniformly impressive, and knowing that they had been vetted in advance was incredibly reassuring. We’ve already recommended First Jobs to everyone we know, and it will certainly be our first stop from here on out... the only hard part was choosing between so many phenomenal options”! 

MJZ/David Zander and Eriks Krumins
 “We feel exceptionally fortunate to work with the individuals who come through USC‘s First Jobs program. In addition to being talented, we have found them to be well-prepared, hard-working, and resourceful. The program administration has similarly been impeccable. We’re thrilled to be in partnership with Lisa and the entire First Jobs team and are excited about our future together.” 

INE Entertainment/Eric Day
"Here’s what I consistently get from First Jobs: Pre-screened, job-ready candidates curated against not only our specific job needs but also, this is important, the specific corner of the business we actual work in (ie non-fiction series). I never waste my time interviewing a candidate from Lisa and her team and more often than not I find myself in the tough position of choosing among multiple SCA candidates — all of whom I would love to hire. I recommend First Jobs to everyone looking for smart, up & coming entertainment talent". 

Kinetic Content, Eric Detwiler, SCA Alum
“Working with the USC First Jobs program couldn’t have been easier. We had a list of pre-vetted, qualified candidates for our position in a matter of hours. Each person we interviewed for the job was well prepared and we able to make a great hire for the company."

Stone & Company Entertainment, Scott Stone, SCA Alum
“The true test of the caliber of talent we get from the SCA First Jobs program is the fact that many are still working with us months, even years later.  As long as there is a First Jobs, we will go to them first.”

Iwerks & Co., Leslie Iwerks, SCA Alum
“The First Jobs program was an invaluable resource in helping us find the right candidate for a position we needed to fill. It was a seamless and convenient way to bring in budding talent graduating from the premiere film school. The program associates were incredibly helpful all throughout the process.”

Rebel Entertainment Partners, Joyce Goertzen, SCA Alum
“In years past when we have needed to hire new assistants, we used employment agencies and websites, placed ads in all of the trades, and spent countless hours reviewing resumes and interviewing. Hands down, our best candidates for interns and permanent hires have come from USC. Their First Jobs Program offers top-caliber new hires that are better disciplined and better prepared to jump into the work force than other applicants. The curriculum available to these candidates as students is multi-faceted and goes well beyond advanced academics; the programs offered promote inclusion and ethical business practices. There is a discernable difference in the well-roundedness of the candidates we have hired from USC’s First Jobs Program.”

For all inquiries, please contact:
firstjobs@cinema.usc.edu