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Your Guide to Communications Internships

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

Internships for communications majors

As a major with so many career path options, choosing to study communications gives you many types of internships to consider. There will always be an opening for a great communications internship, as the field is always looking for capable communications focused college students to help and hire.

In your communications internships you’ll gain skills in writing, teamwork, organization, accountability, and problem-solving among many others. Internship opportunities for communications students can foster great exploration of the field, since there are so many paths in communications to consider and understand.

How do I get a communications internship?

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

The best communications 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 a communications internship and add the benefit of exploring different facets of one field, then start your communications 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 communications 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 communications 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 communications internship

Once you’ve landed an internship in communications 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 a communications major

Wondering where the “communications internships near me” are? Internships in communications 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 communications internship could kick it off in the right direction.

For internships, it doesn’t matter if you’re on the hunt for remote communications internships or paid communications internships or communications internships in NYC. The following job roles and suggestions on where to apply for communications internships can guide you in the right direction for whatever you’re looking for.

Editor

Editors revise and prepare materials to be published in print and digital media. They often work at newspapers, magazine publications, book publishing houses, and media networks.

Companies you can apply to: Quibbl, Hearst Magazines, Paravane Ventures

Average pay: $33,280

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

Social Media Manager

Social media managers are in charge of the development and execution of a company’s social media content and strategy. They can wear hats in other aspects such as writing, editing, and graphic design.

Companies you can apply to: Riddle & Bloom, Dauntless Marketing Group, N3

Average pay: $56,770

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

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

Tips and tricks for your communications internship

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

How do you get a communications internship in college?

When searching for communications internships, it’s key to use the location filters provided on Handshake. You’ll be able to pinpoint communications internships exactly where you want to intern just by selecting the city you want in the search bar. Easy communications 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 communications internship. Handshake also makes it easy to learn about roles in communications 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 communications 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 communications?

Some companies that would be great for communications majors looking for internships: Microsoft, Nestle USA, or Quibbl.

Communications internships for college students can be found all over! Even companies that don’t seem to have a main focus in communications are looking for bright interns to help them develop a voice.

Are communications internships paid?

Yes, you can find paid communications internships on Handshake by using the search filters!

The average annual pay for full time communications jobs range from $33,280 to $63,000.

How much does a communications intern make?

The average annual pay for full time jobs in communications range from $33,280 to $63,000.

Are internships necessary for communications majors?

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

What is a communications intern?

Along with networking and gaining mentorship, communications interns will spend time working on skills great for later in their career journeys. communications 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.

Where can I intern for communications?

Some companies that would be great for communications majors looking for internships: JMS Marketing, Red Bull, Quibbl, or Microsoft.

What can you learn from a communications internship?

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

What should communications 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 communications 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 Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

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