Investing in What Comes Next
On Tuesday, July 29th, more than 50 interns from over 20 leading organizations across arts, media, and culture gathered at Situation Group’s New York City office for their first-ever Intern Summit, a new initiative designed to connect early-career talent with the tools, networks, and insights that shape long-term success.
With participants from institutions including The Broadway League, Carnegie Hall, Disney Theatrical Group, The Shubert Organization, Guggenheim, YES Network, and more, the half-day experience focused on strengthening career readiness, demystifying industry pathways, and building community across the next generation of changemakers.
“Our goal was to open doors for learning, for mentorship, for possibility,” said Samara Berger, Executive Director of Situation Project. “This summit was a chance to bring together future leaders and create the kind of access that can spark real, lasting impact.” That access was made possible by a broad coalition of partner organizations, reflecting what Berger calls “the collaborative spirit of our industry.”
The event featured four interactive workshops tailored to the needs of emerging professionals. Interns explored how to translate their current roles into long-term growth, honed résumé and interview techniques, and tackled topics often left out of internship programming, including financial literacy and the real-world implications of AI in marketing and media.
“This is the kind of experience I wish I had when I was starting out,” said Damian Bazadona, Founder and President of Situation Group. “It’s not about throwing info at people, it’s about building confidence, showing them they belong in the room, that they have something meaningful to contribute.”
That emphasis on empowerment carried through to the final session, a casual networking lunch and open Q&A with industry professionals. Interns asked candid questions and left with insights that extended far beyond the day's agenda.
A Collective Effort
The summit was made possible through the support of an impressive roster of partner organizations that sent their summer interns and fellows to participate, including:
Adventureland, AKA NYC, AMC Networks, Atlantic Theatre Company, Black Theatre Coalition, Black Theatre United, Broadway Direct, The Broadway League, Carnegie Hall, Cooper Hewitt, Covenant House, Disney Theatrical Group, Guggenheim, John Gore Organization, NY Historical Society, RPM, The Shubert Organization, Signature Theatre, Socrates Sculpture Park, SpotCo, Theatre for a New Audience, The Shed, Whitney Museum, and YES Network.
Whether participants arrived from cultural institutions, creative agencies, or advocacy groups, they left with something shared—a stronger sense of community, confidence, and clarity.
The Beginning of Something Bigger
While this summer’s event marked the summit’s debut, it’s just the start. Situation Group plans to expand the initiative in future seasons, inviting more companies to participate and exploring new ways to support the career development of young professionals across the creative economy.
“When we talk about shaping the future of this industry, this is what we mean,” Berger said. “We’re proud to be part of the collective effort—and we’re just getting started.”
