Ever thought about becoming a marketing intern but you haven’t been sure if it’s worth it?
Maybe you were like me – a bit nervous about juggling full-time study, part-time jobs and a potential marketing internship. Or maybe you are wondering if your university degree is all you need to be ready for the fast-paced marketing world.
If this sounds like you, then keep reading as I give you a few reasons why you should become a marketing intern – and what to expect throughout your marketing internship.
But first – let me introduce myself.
Hey, my name is Catalina. I was lucky enough to do an internship with The Marketing GP for four months throughout my final semester at university.
I am a third year Bachelor of Business student, with a double Major in Marketing and Management at the University of Newcastle. I’ve always been an absolute nerd for marketing, but apart from some tutoring experience at University, I didn’t have any real-world practical experience in marketing.
So, I began looking at marketing internships in Newcastle.
I had a long-time crush on The Marketing GP. I followed them on LinkedIn, saw their rebrand come to life, and constantly gushed over the fun, professional culture they showcased on their socials. The opportunity to be a marketing intern for them was incredibly exciting. The best part was I could do this internship as a course through The University of Newcastle – so this made it easier to manage my degree, work, and internship.
But enough about me – this is where I get off (or on) my soapbox and tell you what you should expect as a marketing intern and why it is important to become one before your degree ends!
Writing as a marketing intern vs writing as a marketing student
This one is a very important difference that I am still learning. At university, you are used to writing assignments on your own time – when you feel inspired, motivated or when you are racing to the deadline! But when you are copywriting for a marketing agency, you have a schedule and must write content to meet deadlines. This is so the client’s needs and retainer hours, as well as the agency’s goals and objectives, are met successfully.
Writing styles for an assignment and for a marketing agency are also very different. I am sure I am not the only one when I say that sometimes we write almost anything to meet the word count. When you’re writing for a client, it is a completely different ball game. You need to write quick, snappy content and every word on the page needs to have a purpose.
Marketing theory in the classroom vs in the real world
Despite the differences in both academia and industry, I have noticed that there are instances where the two worlds collide. For example, as a marketing student I am familiar with the term ‘brand personality’. It is the theory that states all brands portray human-like traits such as humorous, intelligent or adventurous.
So how does that textbook definition look in the real world?
Well, The Marketing GP have tone guides for each of their clients, which outline the personality of their company, their traits, how they want to be seen by their clients – and even what celebrity describes their brand most. These become a bible for writing copy for those clients across any channel, such as social media platforms, website content, blogs and case studies. I use the guides to help capture the brand’s persona in the right way.
And the similarities don’t stop there!
Some other things I have noticed as a marketing intern is strategy. This is where one of my courses, Strategic Marketing Management came in handy! The course taught me to monitor the external environment of the brand, its competitors, customers and the industry. Then seeing how the things inside the brand (their products and resources) can be used to adapt to that external environment.
The real world again correlates, with a twist.
The Marketing GP always maintains a strategic approach across all marketing initiatives for their clients. This is done by researching the client’s industry, their competitors, identifying target audiences and their pain points and crafting a strategy aligned to their goals and needs. All of this helps to create an excellent marketing strategy.
It is fascinating seeing everything I have learnt in class being executed in real life.
Why you should become a marketing intern
Now that you know what to expect in a marketing internship – you might be asking if it is worth it.
Short answer, yes.
Having that real-world experience stamped on your resume is invaluable when you are finally looking for jobs after graduation.
I am sure you noticed that entry-level marketing jobs require some experience in a marketing role. Doing a marketing internship can really set you apart from the competition, especially if you do more than one.
Plus, being a marketing intern is also so much fun! You are introduced to new software and technology you have never used before and are able to see what marketing looks like outside of the classroom.
Finally, being a marketing intern can allow you to establish a network of marketing professionals and specialists should you need them in the future. I know that my time at The Marketing GP has allowed me to establish connections with an awesome and collaborative team.
Now that you know what to expect as a marketing intern – why not become one? Check out the Marketing GP Internship Programme – they’re always on the lookout for a keen marketing/communication student who is willing to learn!
Catalina Bravo-Vilches
I am a third-year Business student with a specialization in Management and Marketing. Within my degree, I have currently achieved a GPA of 6.4.
