Marketing internships

Marketing internships provide opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects and develop essential industry skills, setting candidates apart in a competitive job market

Typically lasting between two and 12 weeks, internships offer a chance to gain practical experience through sandwich placements or summer posts.

What are the benefits of these programmes?

Internships can help you explore different career paths within the field. You may have the opportunity to work in different departments, such as media relations, public relations and crisis communications, or social media marketing. This will help you determine which area of marketing you're most interested in.

There are several other advantages to marketing internships, including:

• networking with professionals in the field
• the opportunity to learn about a specific company or industry
• getting your foot in the door for a full-time marketing job
• the chance to earn money or university credit.

What marketing internships are available?

While larger organisations, such as Sky or FleishmanHillard, often advertise their internship programs, smaller businesses and voluntary organisations may welcome speculative applications or networking connections.

Consider exploring local openings through your university's careers service, attending open days, or participating in taster experiences and short introductory courses.

Some examples of internships include:

• Amazon - 12-month internship developing and implementing effective marketing strategies for Amazon businesses.
• American Express (UK) - 10-week programme working with the marketing team to design and execute effective marketing campaigns.
• Cancer Research - 12-week internship helping to accelerate the progress of the charities campaigns.
• Girls in Marketing - three-day virtual course aimed at learning new skills and building your network.
• HP - 13-month placement with responsibilities across digital marketing, and marketing operations, and events management.
• parkrun - 12-month internship creating and distributing high-quality multimedia content and news across multiple channels, including blog sites, social media, and magazines.
• Porsche - placement year intern opportunity as a digital and social media intern, creating digital and social media strategies that boost product, brand awareness, and customer engagement.
• Rainbow Trust - internships run up to three months, with programmes in marketing, digital marketing and PR and communications.
• Siemens - 12-month placement as a recruitment marketing intern assisting with event logistics and crafting marketing materials and social media content to enhance Siemens' employer brand.

What do they involve?

Marketing internships are designed to provide students with hands-on experience and typically involve a variety of tasks, such as:

• Digital marketing internships - focus on using digital marketing channels, such as social media, search engine optimisation (SEO), and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, to promote products or services.
• Content marketing internships - centred around creating and distributing content, such as blog posts, articles, and social media posts, to engage potential customers and promote a brand or product.
• Social media marketing internships - tasks include managing a company's social media presence, creating and curating content, and engaging with followers.
• Marketing communications internships - focus on writing and editing marketing materials, such as press releases, website copy, and brochures.
• Event marketing internships - responsibilities include planning and executing events, such as product launches, conferences, and trade shows.
• Public relations internships - interns will gain experience in writing press releases and media advisories, pitching stories to journalists and monitoring media coverage.

For example, the Borgen Project's public relations and marketing internship involves developing a branding campaign, conducting market research, generating media coverage, devising fundraising strategies, planning and presenting at informational meetings, utilising social media, and assisting with brand mobilisation efforts.

What are the entry requirements?

While most programmes target final-year students, some employers offer paid internships or vacation placements to first-year students. Entry requirements for marketing internships vary and require a mix of hard and soft skills, but most seek candidates with a strong academic background and a genuine passion for marketing.

Some internships may also seek specific experience, such as proficiency in a particular software, such as Google Analytics, or a history with a particular marketing channel or social media platform. It is important to review the job description for any specific requirements.

For example, American Express' undergraduate marketing operations programme prioritises candidates studying a Bachelors degree, with a predicted 2:1 degree or international equivalent.

In contrast, parkrun's communications assistant role does not require prior experience, but they prefer candidates with experience in the charity sector or social media management.

How and when do I apply?

While the application process for marketing internships varies, most require a CV and cover letter. These documents showcase your academic achievements, professional skills, and suitability for the internship position.

You should communicate your genuine passion for marketing and your understanding of the industry's current trends and challenges, for example, you could share specific examples of marketing campaigns or strategies that have impressed you and explain why.

Marketing internships are highly competitive, so start your application process early. Applications are typically accepted between September and December the year before the internship takes place.

Will I be paid?

Paid internships typically provide an hourly wage. This financial support allows interns to fully immerse themselves in the internship experience without the additional stress of juggling part-time employment to meet financial obligations.

Salaries vary, but most internships range from £20,00 to £25,00 per year. Siemens' recruitment marketing intern will earn £20,550, while Porsche's digital and social media internship has a salary of £22,300.

Find out more

• Search marketing, advertising and PR work experience opportunities.
• For other options, see work experience.
• Consider how to ask employers for work experience.