Peter Roth Internship

Scope

The Peter Roth Internship Program is made possible by generous support from

Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY Alliance, The Berlanti Family Foundation,The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, and The Katie McGrath & J.J. Abrams Family Foundation.

The Peter Roth Internship Program, named in honor of the legendary television executive, offers 20 talented undergraduate students whose perspectives and experiences are not widely represented in the media and entertainment industry an unrivaled paid apprenticeship experience for those interested in a career in television. This prestigious internship has been created to inspire the next generation of television professionals to embody Peter Roth’s visionary ideals including his commitment to innovative storytelling, his love for writers, and his passion for the art form of television.

The program will also underscore the critical importance of nurturing an array of creative voices and portrayals on television—a hallmark of Peter Roth’s career.

The Paley Center will offer students a comprehensive, paid internship that expands upon the institution’s long-running accredited internship programs. Using the renowned Paley Archive and its unmatched collection of television programming, the Paley Center will offer an extensive course to help students better understand the importance of a cross-section of voices and portrayals on television. Interns will also attend guest lectures, meet-and-greets, and Q&A sessions with television executives, talent, show runners, writers, and other members of a creative team to gain an appreciation for the art of storytelling.

The program will also include first-hand experience working at the Paley Center, along with site visits to networks and sets to provide a valuable understanding of the business side of television.

The Peter Roth Internship program runs from June 1st, 2027, through July 8th, 2027.

The breakdown is as follows:

From June 1st, 2027 through July 8th, 2027:

The program will be conducted Tuesday through Thursday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm ET, unless time is shifted to allow participation in a Paley program that is in the early morning, evening, or on the weekend.

The internship will be held in-person at the Paley Center in New York City.

Peter Roth Interns will be paid $17 per hour. The advertised pay rate reflects this role's good faith maximum hourly rate. The advertised pay rate is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee.

The Final date to receive applications on Wednesday, January 13th, 2027, at 11:59 pm ET.

Applicants must be undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in a college degree programat an accredited college/university with a GPA of 3.2 or higher and who will be a junior or senior in the fall of 2026. The selection is highly competitive and based on a combination of criteria including evidence of exemplary academic achievement and exceptional leadership skills. Students from all backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

For a complete application, please provide:

• Resume and cover letter
• Answers to the 3 essay questions
• 2 letters of recommendation from either a professor, a school advisor, or a current/former supervisor who can speak about your education work or background, character or professional competence, and interest in the entertainment, media, and television field (please provide contact information such as email address and phone number for references to be reached for follow-up)
• 1 writing sample for collegiate coursework (at most 3 pages) related to media and/or the media industry are encouraged but not required
• Transcript (while an unofficial transcript is acceptable for the initial application process, all Finalists will be required to submit an official…