Vanderbilt students are able to put a foot in the door of the entertainment industry with the help of Vanderbilt-in-Hollywood, a summer internship program offered by the career center.

"Vanderbilt-in-Hollywood serves as a Vanderbilt University alumni organization designed to help students and alumni find their way in the real-world labyrinth of Hollywood," said Tiffany Franklin, assistant director of the career center.

The program is open to rising juniors and seniors of all majors and schools. Current seniors can still contact the career center for resources in the same field.

There are currently 14 interning sites offered for summer 2009, including positions at Fox Networks Group, IMAX Corporation, Reveille LLC, as well as two other programs offered by CBS Corporation.

According to Franklin and ViH's founder and Vanderbilt graduate Chad Gervich, approximately 15 to 20 students have participated in the program over the past two years.

"Interning lets you learn the business and life in L.A. without the pressures of having to earn a paycheck to make rent, buy food, etc. It's like having a safety bubble to learn the essentials so you're prepared to succeed professionally when you graduate," Gervich said.

Although the positions are unpaid, students can receive academic credit.

"This industry is all about networking and these positions provide an excellent opportunity to expand your network," Franklin said.

"Nobody in Hollywood gets a job because they're ǃÚqualified' or have an impressive resume. If you want to work in Hollywood, you get a job by knowing someone," Gervich said. "This is how it works for everyone, and I am not exaggerating ... In other words, by interning as a student, you give yourself a massive head start over all your competition."

Gervich founded ViH four years ago because he felt that Vanderbilt was lacking in networking organizations for students and alumni wishing to pursue careers in the entertainment industry.

"Vanderbilt may not be in New York or Los Angeles, but it's in Nashville, Music City, perfectly situated to be the University of Southern California or University of California, Los Angeles of the music industry, especially since we have one of the top music schools in the country," Gervich said. "I always want to grab the administration and shake them for not working more aggressively to form ties with the music and entertainment industry ... It seems like a no-brainer for Vanderbilt to be a heavy-hitter in that world."

Gervich said that he worked with the administration, film professors and other Vanderbilt friends and alumni "to take the bull by the horns" and create a real "Vanderbilt-in-Hollywood community" online. Gervich's partnership with the administration, faculty and Vanderbilt affiliates allowed the first actual internship experience to be realized in 2007.

The career center also launched a similar program this spring, called Vanderbilt on Madison Avenue. It will enable students to study media in New York City at MTV, Harper's Bazaar, Tennis.com and others.