Career & Student Advice
If you’re an aspiring marketer, we understand the frustrations when trying to gain that all-important experience. Many hiring managers want candidates who have worked in a marketing role for some time, so it can be challenging for students or those new to the marketing world. So, why not complete a marketing internship?
Internships are great for seeing how marketing fits into a business. If you’re asking yourself ‘What is a marketing internship?’, ‘How can it benefit me?’, or ‘How do I become an intern?’, you’re in the right place! We want to discuss the responsibilities of a marketing intern, its benefits, and some top tips for securing one.
Internships are temporary programmes that can range from a couple of weeks to a year. Depending on the company, you can have various responsibilities:
Undertaking a marketing internship gives you an edge over other candidates. As well as the opportunity to develop your skills in certain areas, becoming an intern has a range of other benefits.
Due to the versatility of a marketing role, it will allow you to identify areas you’re passionate about. This is essential due to marketing being so broad. You can find your passion through putting your ideas into practice, and seeing what works and what doesn’t. You shouldn’t be afraid to experiment.
Being an intern is all about learning and developing, so it’s a great time to ask questions and learn from your mistakes. Ask for regular feedback and take everything on board; you want to get the most out of your experience!
For those studying at university, it can seem daunting to put the theory you have learnt into practice when securing a job. Internships act as a bridge between university and a full-time role. Implementing the theory you have learnt on your course will increase your confidence massively, and will make it much easier when applying for full-time positions.
As an intern, you will have the opportunity to meet a range of individuals within the marketing field. This can be great for networking, allowing you to forge relationships with like-minded people. Networking will enable you to identify opportunities that you may not find alone. Your network will allow you to gain insights into a range of fields and can offer support.
If you make a good impression on the company you’re interning for, who knows? You may be offered a more permanent position at the end! You will know a lot about the company at this stage and it is a great way to show progression within a role.
Due to these benefits, internships can be competitive. With this being said, there has been an increase in remote internships due to COVID-19, so don’t restrict your search to your area! LinkedIn and sites such as Indeed and Reed all have regular opportunities. Many universities also provide internships for students, so do some digging! We also recommend joining the GiM Facebook group for students and graduates; there is a range of opportunities with small businesses, so keep your eyes peeled!
We hope our tips get you that one step further to know what a marketing internship is and if it’s right for you. We know it can be frustrating when applying, sometimes it can take many applications before you are successful. However, don’t let this put you off. Ask for feedback on the unsuccessful applications and use this to improve your next one. Who knows what amazing opportunities are just around the corner? Best of luck!