Work Placement - where to start?

[SJT]

Hello all;

Basically, I'm halfway through my Uni degree and next year am looking at taking a year in industry.
At the moment I'm at uni in the UK, but I'd really like to work abroad; I've been thinking of going to the US mostly.

The problem is, I have no idea where to start; I'd be interested in working in multimedia development, but I have no real contacts or knowledge of the state of play in the US or other countries.
Where do you think I should begin?
Just go straight in and send off emails to MM and the rest of the big guns?

(I realise larger companies will
a) be flooded with internship requests
b) have a proper process to deal with it
And I'd rather not count my chickens so to speak and just apply to a few companies I have a 1/600 chance of getting)

Any thoughts appreciated.

[juxtaman]

Since your from the UK, i would suggest Toronto, Canada..heres why

1: It's easier to get a Visa
2: You money goes a lot further!
3: cost of living is lower
4: technology in that sector is just as advanced, and there are just as many web related companies per capata in toronto as in california.

If i were you, go to the candian version of google and look for colleges and univ's in Toronto, then contact their IT/design faculty and ask if they know of any opppertunities, faculty are always tied into the industry with respect to who's hiring.

I'm from Milton Keynes, and i found it very easy here.

You want some more info, or links for some places i know, email me.

[monsterfx]

In general, I'd do some searches for multimedia/web development companies in every city you were interested in and see if their web sites post any openings for interns or just give their HR contact a ring.

Here are some of the bigger ones in Kansas City (my area):

http://www.lookandfeel.com/
http://www.vml.com/
http://www.beap.com/ ( http://www.digitalevergreen.com/ )
http://www.copilot.com/

Here are some in St. Louis (last place I lived):

http://www.momentum-na.com/
http://www.zipatoni.com/
http://www.phoenixcreative.com/

-monster.

[SJT]

Thanks guys, very useful

Keep it comin'!

[Hellsbellboy]

I can get you some places in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota area if you are interested.