Navigating the World of Marketing Agency Internships: A Comprehensive Guide

Embarking on a marketing career often begins with a valuable internship. These experiences provide practical skills and industry insights that can significantly boost your career prospects. This article explores the requirements, benefits, and key aspects of marketing agency internships, offering guidance for students and employers alike.

The Value of Internships

Internships serve as crucial stepping stones toward full-time employment. They allow students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings, bridging the gap between theory and practice. An internship lets you try out jobs based on your major, interests, skills, or experience.

Texas State's marketing program recognizes the importance of internships, encouraging its majors to complete one during their junior or senior year. These internships provide students with the connections, expertise, and experience they need to be competitive in the workforce.

Who Can Apply for a Marketing Internship?

The internship program is open to all students, not just marketing majors. Marketing majors classified as juniors or seniors are eligible to enroll in Marketing 4399 (Internship) for three hours credit for approved internships. To qualify, students typically must have completed a Principles of Marketing course.

Gaining Real-World Experience

Internships offer a variety of experiences. Some interns assist with administrative tasks, while others contribute to marketing strategies, develop advertising campaigns, or analyze data. The internship program at Texas State places students in positions with local and regional employers each semester.

One intern's experience at Mission's summer internship program highlights the diverse learning opportunities available. The intern learned about agency life, marketing, branding, and everything in between.

The Structure of a Marketing Internship Program

The marketing internship program (MKT 484) gives students the opportunity to receive upper division credit for paid or unpaid marketing internships. MKT 484 will consider any marketing internship that meets the standards outlined by the W. P. Career Services. Students must satisfactorily complete their internship and submit a final paper in order to receive 3 upper division credits. MKT 484 is an upper division marketing elective. Students registered in the course will complete relevant work as posted on the course Canvas site moderated by the internship coordinator. These may including tracking hours worked, performance assessments, listing accomplishments, and writing a paper. This work will result in a grade for the course. There are no face-to-face class meetings associated with this course, but there will be due dates.

Many programs operate as pass/fail courses, requiring students to complete a final paper and internship survey to receive credit. The final paper typically involves analyzing the internship experience, discussing applied marketing principles, and summarizing the skills gained. The internship survey is often administered the week following the last day to add a class. All required materials must be completed and returned before grades are issued.

What to Expect During Your Internship

Embracing Company Culture

It’s important to find an environment where you feel comfortable sharing your personality, creativity, thoughts, and opinions.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Agencies thrive on teamwork. Interns often collaborate on projects, contributing their unique skills and perspectives. As one intern noted, "Our intern team collaborated on a lead generation campaign that made use of each intern’s unique skills and perspective." This collaborative environment fosters trust and highlights the importance of each team member's expertise. An agency is nothing without a good team of people working together.

Flexibility and Adaptability

Everything is in constant motion, so flexibility is essential. Schedules change all the time. You have to adapt to new deadlines and manage your workload accordingly.

The Employer's Role

Employers play a crucial role in providing guidance and mentorship to interns. For example, the intern’s supervisor should have marketing experience to adequately mentor a marketing intern. They should offer opportunities to apply classroom knowledge and develop new skills. Employers seeking student interns should be able to provide the student guidance and mentorship in the chosen field.

ASU’s Career and Professional Development Services provide a university-wide job listing service administered. You can post your marketing internship opportunity - both paid and unpaid internships - on ASU's Handshake. You can also search the site for examples of job descriptions and scan available student resumes. Students can earn upper division marketing course credit (MKT 484) for their internship. This internship may be eligible for marketing course credit (MKT 484). To learn more about recruiting W. P. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which governs minimum wage requirements in for-profit organizations.

Key Requirements and Application Process

GPA and Academic Standing

The internship class is open to full-time juniors and seniors. Strong academic record with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the Marketing major. Overall GPA's need to be at least a 2.7.

Approval Process

All internships must be approved prior to the beginning of the internship experience. A part-time or summer job does not necessarily qualify as an internship opportunity. You cannot receive internship credit for a job you are currently performing.

Read also: Comprehensive Interview Guide

Application Deadlines

Internship Application Deadline (6th Class Day) Students must submit a completed internship application by noon CT on the 6th class day of the semester. Students who do not submit their application by noon CT on the 6th class day will be dropped from their internship class. Application Approval Requirement Internship applications must be fully approved by both the internship supervisor and the faculty member by noon CT on the 12th class day. Students whose applications have not been fully approved by noon CT on the 12th class day will be dropped from their internship class.

Backup Plans

Consider Adding a Backup Class If you do not have a fully approved internship application by the 6th class day, we strongly recommend that you add a backup class before that deadline. Students cannot add Moody College classes after the 6th class day.

Finding Internship Opportunities

Historically, agencies and large companies hire in October for internships beginning in May. Attend the career fair. Expand your job search beyond Handshake. You need to complete the form in March-April. You will take the internship class over the summer.

Evaluation and Grading

The most important aspect of your internship is being a high-performing employee. A significant portion of your grade comes from your supervisor's evaluation. The other graded areas are as follows. In most cases, it is not acceptable to work on schoolwork during your internship. Grades are assigned when the you have completed all internship assignments.

Advertising Internships: A Specific Focus

As a major with so many career path options, choosing to study advertising gives you many types of internships to consider. There will always be an opening for a great advertising internship, as the field is always looking for capable advertising students to help and hire. In your advertising internships you’ll gain skills in teamwork, organization, accountability, and problem-solving among many others. Internship opportunities for advertising students can foster great exploration of the field, since there are so many paths in advertising to consider and understand.

How to Secure an Advertising Internship

Getting an internship in advertising is very exciting considering the sheer amount of companies who need capable advertisers. Advertising internships during summer 2021 will provide you with many valuable experiences, giving a real taste of what it’ll be like to work in advertising down the line. You’ll connect with potential mentors, learn advertising trade secrets, and build relationships with coworkers with a range of expertise. It’s also a plus if it’s a paid advertising internship!

The best advertising internship programs strengthen resumes, provide valuable avenues to letters of recommendation, and can even turn into full-time jobs. If you consider all of these perks of an advertising agency summer internship and add the benefit of exploring different facets of one field, then start your advertising internship search now!

Resume and Profile Tips

Before you get started on sending out applications, make sure that you have your resume up to date and have fully filled out all your Handshake profile details. With a complete profile, an impressive advertising or marketing internship is more attainable than ever. Recruiters are much more likely to message a student with a complete profile that says you want to work in advertising than an unfinished one.

Interview Preparation

When you do land your first interview, be it a virtual interview or in person, make sure to come prepared and dressed to impress. Review your resume and cover letter to make sure you have specific examples of your experience to share, from clubs or coursework. You can even schedule a mock interview with your university’s career center or, if you’re tight on time, ask a trusted friend to grill you on some common interview questions.

Networking During Your Internship

Once you’ve landed an internship in advertising and settled into the flow of day-to-day life at the office, start chatting with your coworkers. Whether they’re industry professionals or fellow interns, it’s important to treat them with equal respect. You never know what insights they could lend, or who could be a valuable connection down the line, five or ten years from now. Don’t be afraid to ask your new colleagues out for quick coffee chats, or request 15-minute informational interviews about their career trajectory.

Continuous Learning

Want more tips for getting the most out of your internship? Looking for specific advice before your internship begins? Or are you hungry for further information even after your internship is over? A good way to delve even deeper into your career path growth is to attend a virtual event or two. Not only will you be learning more about your own career, but there will also be chances to network with employers, industry specialists, and other students sharing different perspectives.

Potential Job Roles for Advertising Majors

Wondering where the “advertising internships near me” are? Internships in advertising can fall under any of the following roles we’ve listed here for you! Internships are meant to guide you towards your true desired career path and your summer 2021 advertising internship could kick it off in the right direction.

For internships, it doesn’t matter if you’re on the hunt for advertising internships in Los Angeles, paid advertising internships, advertising internship agencies in Fort Worth, or advertising internships in NYC. The following job roles and suggestions on where to apply for advertising internships can guide you in the right direction for whatever you’re looking for.

Specific Advertising Roles and Companies

Marketing Manager

Marketing managers oversee the promotional efforts of a company through marketing and advertising campaigns. They manage the research, planning, strategy, and execution of the company's marketing initiatives, which ultimately aim to increase sales or brand awareness. Companies you can apply to: KPMG LLP, Apple, Microsoft. Average pay: $42,000

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers are technologically skilled by trade and creative at heart. They employ creative design programs to create graphics and images for various media, including packaging, logos, advertisements, and art. Advertising design internships are great places to start. Companies you can apply to: Riot Games, Amazon, Red Bull. Average pay: $35,360

Public Relations Manager

Public relations managers and specialists communicate with journalists and media outlets to promote news and create a specific public image for an individual, group, or organization. Their responsibilities may include managing social media accounts, writing press releases, and planning press events. Companies you can apply to: MGR Strategic Communications, Nestle USA, Amazon Robotics. Average pay: $38,000

Product Manager

Product managers are responsible for the development of a given product as well as understanding the product's features and strategy.

Finding Advertising Internships

How do I get an advertising internship? When searching for advertising internships, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint advertising internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy advertising internships in your preferred city are just a search away.

You can even research possible job roles that you might want to explore during your advertising internship. Handshake also makes it easy to learn about roles in advertising simply by using the job role search bar.

And if you want to take your research one step further, you can even research top employers in the advertising field on Handshake. Just by using the Handshake employer search feature you can discover companies that are hiring in your specific field by filtering by “Industry.”

Where to Intern

Some companies that would be great for advertising majors looking for internships: Red Bull, JSM Marketing, or Riot Games. Advertising internships for college students can be found all over! Even companies that don’t seem to have a main focus in advertising are looking for bright interns to help them develop.

Paid Advertising Internships

Yes, you can find paid advertising internships on Handshake by using the search filters! The average annual pay for full time advertising jobs range from $35,360 to $92,500.

Intern Compensation

How much does an advertising intern make? The average annual pay for full time jobs in advertising range from $35,360 to $92,500.

The Necessity of Internships

Are internships necessary for advertising majors? While it's not required, internships are great opportunities for growth and experience. From advertising internships for undergraduates to great seasonal advertising internships, you’ll be able to build both hard and soft skills and network.

Responsibilities of an Advertising Intern

What does an advertising intern do? Along with networking and gaining mentorship, advertising interns will spend time working on skills great for later in their career journeys. advertising interns will learn how to plan and execute concrete goals, communicate their visions effectively, project manage and collaborate with a team on a shared goal.

Understanding Ad Agencies

What do you mean by ad agency? Ad agencies are companies that are dedicated to planning, creating, and executing advertisements for clients. However, not all advertising internships take place at ad agencies - many companies have their own internal advertising teams. Some companies that would be great for advertising majors looking for internships: Lyft, Amazon, Red Bull, and Riot Games.

Learning Outcomes

What can you learn from an advertising internship? During your advertising internship, you’ll learn some great generic skills like time management, accountability, organization, and teamwork. Additionally, you’ll be immersed in the world of advertising which will help you develop your knowledge of quantitative aptitude, how to manage advertising projects effectively, and about your company’s supply chain.

Resume Essentials for Advertising Interns

What should advertising interns put on their resume? When putting together your resume, make sure to have all your skills, courses, and accomplishments laid out for employers to view. Also having your preferred job role and location on your Handshake profile is a great way to signal your interest to potential recruiters.

For advertising interns, some great skills to list would be specific technical skills, time management, ability to follow through and execute, and ability to contribute and collaborate in a team setting.

Career Paths After Graduation

Graduates of marketing programs pursue various career paths, including sales, marketing management, advertising, and entrepreneurship. Graduates of the Texas State marketing program become salespeople, marketing managers, advertising account managers, sales managers, entrepreneurs, retail buyers, customer service managers, marketing research directors, and other professionals and executives who take leading roles in business, the community, and society.

Resources and Support

Career Services at Texas State provides comprehensive assistance to students in each stage of their career development and utilizes the most current practices and technology.

tags: #marketing #agency #internships #requirements