Students Make Moves After ELA

Some students spending the Fall 2016 semester at Emerson College Los Angeles (ELA) have already packed up and headed home, enjoying the holiday break before another semester in Boston begins. Others are settling into their new digs in Los Angeles, looking for work or starting jobs.

For Yasameen Nassiri ’16, it’s a waiting game. An intern at BuzzFeed Motion Pictures this past semester, Nassiri’s internship has been extended until the end of the year. She is one of 15 ELA students who reported that they were offered a position from their internship—either an extension or full-time job. Now, she’s waiting to hear word on whether she landed a fellowship with the digital media powerhouse.

“What I like the most about my internship is that it’s very hands on. I feel like I learned a lot about production,” said Nassiri, who got to work on video shoots with Zach Galifianakis, cats, and the Try Guys (one of whom, Zach Kornfeld ’12, is an alumnus) during her internship. “Every time I’m at work I’m on a different set doing something different.”

Nassiri mostly supports other producers on video shoots, though she has produced one video herself. A fellowship with BuzzFeed would challenge Nassiri to see if she can handle becoming a producer.

“It would be pretty cool to get the fellowship, especially right out of college,” said Nassiri, whom I interviewed hours after she finished her last class. “I don’t think it’s hit me yet. I thought it was going to be a big event when I finished my last class, but it’s kind of like, I’m done. Now what?”

Yasameen Nassiri ’16

Maggie Noren ’16 knows what’s next for her. In January, she will begin a paid internship on the East Coast.

“It’s kind of bittersweet. All my roommates are moving in together in LA and I have to go and be cold for six months,” said Noren. “At the same time, I’m excited. It’s a nice feeling to at least know one thing.”

Alex Johnson '17. 

For some ELA students, such as Alex Johnson ’17, one more semester awaits in the New Year. One thing Johnson’s not looking forward to in Boston: the weather.

“Los Angeles weather has spoiled me,” said Johnson, who’s 90 percent sure he wants to move back to LA once he graduates. “Not looking forward to heading back to the frozen tundra that is New England in the winter, but will do my best to bundle up!”

Nassiri won’t have to worry about New England winters because she’s staying in LA, at least for a few more months. She didn’t end up getting the fellowship, but her internship at BuzzFeed has been extended until April, when she can reapply to the fellowship again.

“They think I have strong ideas and they want me to stay and do the regular, full-time internship,” said Nassiri. “I’m really happy I get to stay!”

Now, she just needs to find a decent apartment.