A Summer of Growth and Discovery

“Passion fuels growth,” says NFTE Alumna Nelly Caceres, reflecting on her recent summer internship with the Independent Artist Group (IAG) through our partnership with the G-Unity Foundation. This experience not only broadened her horizons but also reinforced the entrepreneurial skills she developed through NFTE.

What drives a young entrepreneur to step into the fast-paced world of talent representation? For Nelly, it was a combination of passion and curiosity. “I was inspired to apply for the IAG internship because of my passion for the entertainment industry and my curiosity about how various departments collaborate to bring a project to life,” Nelly explains. Her eagerness to gain firsthand experience and understand the intricate workings behind the scenes of movies, TV shows, and other media forms fueled her decision to pursue this internship.

At IAG – the globally recognized leader in full-service talent representation and brand management – Nelly found herself immersed in a world where entrepreneurial spirit meets decades of industry experience. The internship provided a unique opportunity to witness the transformation of ideas into finished projects, guided by seasoned professionals.

One of the most valuable lessons Nelly took away was the importance of interdepartmental collaboration. “I learned how closely the teams work together to achieve common goals for their clients,” she reflects. This insight into the collaborative nature of the industry proved invaluable, especially when Nelly was given the chance to pitch her own artist of choice.

Nelly’s experience pitching an artist to the agents at IAG was a defining moment of her internship. Drawing on the entrepreneurial mindset cultivated through NFTE, particularly the art of selling an idea, Nelly approached the task with strategic thinking. “I had to think strategically about how each department could further support the client,” she says. This approach not only strengthened her pitch but also deepened her understanding of how different teams within an organization can work together to achieve a shared objective.

For Nelly, the highlight of her internship was the weekly department rotations. These rotations offered a panoramic view of the industry, allowing her to work closely with different agents and gain personalized insights into their roles. “The advice and guidance they offered were incredibly valuable and helped me understand the industry from various perspectives,” Nelly shares.

While the internship was rooted in the entertainment industry, Nelly sees clear applications for her newfound skills in her future career in Human Resources. The collaboration and communication skills honed during her time at IAG are transferable to any business setting. Her experience in pitching and strategic thinking will be invaluable in advocating for employees and designing effective organizational strategies in her HR career.

Nelly’s internship experience extended beyond the walls of IAG. Collaborating with fellow interns created a supportive environment for idea-sharing and mutual learning. These connections underscored the importance of building strong, diverse networks—a lesson Nelly plans to carry forward in her entrepreneurial journey.

As Nelly reflects on her internship, she sets her sights on the future with a clear goal in mind. “One goal I’ve set for myself post-internship is to build on the networking skills I developed during my time at IAG,” she states. Recognizing the value of professional connections, Nelly plans to actively seek out mentorship opportunities and expand her professional network, laying the groundwork for a successful career in Human Resources.

Throughout her internship, Nelly found herself drawing on lessons learned through NFTE, particularly when it came to pitching ideas and thinking entrepreneurially. The NFTE experience provided a foundation that allowed her to make the most of this opportunity, demonstrating the lasting impact of entrepreneurship education.