LA Scholars, a summer youth employment program, prepares local college students in Los Angeles for highly coveted jobs in the video game industry.   The program is managed by the South Bay Center for Community Development (SBCC), a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting community members and youth to career pathways in a variety of industries, Los Angeles area colleges,  and Los Angeles Southwest College and key video game industry execs, including Shiraz Akmal, former Vice President of mega game publisher THQ.

Employers, sign up to host LA Scholars at your company today!

Participating companies will be sent highly qualified interns through the LA Scholars program who have earned the highest grades in class and have been selected by Southwest College faculty. 

Students at Southwest College who are interested in a career in the video game industry will do the following to qualify for a paid internship:

• Successfully complete a 3 unit academic course: Introduction to Computers and their Uses
  
• Earn a work readiness certificate
  
• Complete 16 hours of industry-specific training provided by industry professionals
  
• Pass an interview and screening process with Southwest College faculty
  

Participating companies will be sent highly qualified interns through the LA Scholars program who have earned the highest grades in class and have been selected by Southwest College faculty.

To participate in the program, students are required to do the following before applying for an internship with a video game company:  

Earn a Work Readiness Certificate

Complete a three unit academic course, “Introduction to Computers & Their Uses”

Participate in a 16 hour Introduction to the Video Game Industry training delivered by industry professionals 

Students will then complete 60 hours of work experience in video game companies this fall.

Funding from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 supports America’s youth in working this summer and attaining gainful employment as they transition to adulthood.  

All student wages and education costs will be supported through these funds making this program at no cost to employers. 

When Summer 2009

Cut Off Date July 2009

Who Can Participate Companies in the media and video game business.

Location Los Angeles area