The purpose of the research was to understand the challenges low-income college students face in gaining entertainment industry experience due to the prevalence of unpaid internships in the field. Unpaid internships are a key means by which students build entertainment experience prior to graduation; as low-income college students may not be able to afford to work for free for extended periods of time, they are often put at a disadvantage in gaining sufficient entertainment industry experience compared to higher-income peers. The conceptual framework for the study was based upon Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and Bordieu's social capital theory. The methodology included a survey and interviews with current low-income college students and alumni who identified as low-income college students when completing coursework. The findings established that low-income college students are in need of more supplemental financial support and that more formalized educational structure is necessary in internships themselves as well as in internship credit courses. The study generated concrete recommendations for practice to improve financial and educational support for low-income college students to ensure that access and inequality issues related to unpaid internships within entertainment are addressed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]