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Your Guide to Advertising Internships

Explore our comprehensive guide to the best advertising internships for college students.

Internships for advertising majors

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 do I get 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!

Tips for your resume and profiles

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.

Tips for your internship interview

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.

Tips for networking at your advertising 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.

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.

Jobs you can get as an advertising major

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.

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. They often wear many hats in the product development process, but ultimately must deliver the best product to their chosen target audience.

Companies you can apply to: Amazon, Facebook, Lyft, Salesforce

Average pay: $92,500

Copywriter

Copywriters are in charge of writing compelling content both for a company’s internal and external communications. Their tasks can range from blog content to product explainer and many other facets of writing.

Companies you can apply to: JMS Marketing, Inc., Insight Global

Average pay: $63,000

Tips and tricks for your advertising internship

Want tips for getting and acing your advertising internship? Look no further.

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 can I intern for advertising?

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.

Are advertising internships paid?

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.

How much does an advertising intern make?

The average annual pay for full time jobs in advertising range from $35,360 to $92,500.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. It’s also key to mention organizations or projects that you led and can explain thoroughly.

Photo by Aaron Sebastian on Unsplash

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