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Success Stories
Brooke Skelton
College of Education: July 1997
Teacher at Snodon Preparatory School
Upon completion of my degree program at UGA I was required to do an internship, and I knew that I wanted something unique, exciting, and outside of the south. I visited the Career Center for help searching for opportunities and one day I noticed a flyer that was advertising internships for the David Letterman show. Even though I was an education major, I had always been interested in the entertainment industry. I immediately applied for the position and after several interviews, I was offered the internship. I spent five months in New York working in the research and music departments at the David Letterman show. The internship experience opened many doors for me and as a result, when I finished in New York I moved to Los Angeles for a year, and worked at CBS Television Studios for the CBS Page Program. While there, I worked on different shows, including The Price is Right, The Late Late Show, and The Young and the Restless. I worked with tickets and getting the audience members in and out of the shows. Even though it was a part-time, minimum wage job, it provided valuable insight into how TV shows are produced and got my foot in the door.
After CBS, I found a position at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in Beverly Hills. I spent five years at CAA and worked with many different artists, including Pearl Jam, Bob Dylan, Radiohead, Kings of Leon and John Mayer. The first few years I was an agent assistant to the music agent who booked all the west coast clubs and theaters. The last two years at CAA I assisted the agent who represented film music composers and music supervisors for film and TV. In 2007 I decided to leave California and move back to Georgia in order to be close to my family. I am currently teaching high school business and computer science classes in Barrow County.
If I had to share any advice with current UGA students, it would be to move out of the south, travel, and explore after college. Don’t feel like you immediately have to pursue your career path. I’m a big believer in civic opportunities (the Peace Corps, Teach for America, etc) because they give you beliefs, attitudes, and skills that can be learned only through experience. After I graduated from UGA I did the internship in New York City for six months, then moved to Vail, Colorado for two years where I worked at a ski resort, then spent eight years in Los Angeles before returning to Georgia. I also spent a summer in Armenia working for Habitat for Humanity. Those experiences were invaluable and I wouldn't trade them for anything. Plus they look great on my resume! Finally, don't be afraid to separate yourself from security. I was dirt poor for about ten years after college, but I had the time of my life!