How to Get the Most Out of Your Marketing Internship

So, you are interested in a marketing internship? That's awesome! Internships are the perfect stepping stone to more long-term marketing jobs. While your classes and education are an essential place to start, there's no better way to learn than jumping in and working on real-world projects for companies that have marketing internship programs.

As you gather working experience, it's important to take advantage of every opportunity you get, so here’s some of the advice I give our interns at StoryTeller. Whether you're at an agency or a big company, I think it will help you get the most out of any marketing internship.

Lean In

Get to know your team members. Ask questions, go to lunch and happy hours (if you're old enough) — build relationships. You are a part of the team and you can either step up and fill in the gaps at a company, or you can sit back, blend in, and wait to be told what to do next.

Companies value go-getters who show they are willing to jump in and get their hands dirty on any project that's thrown their way, and fitting in with the company culture goes a long way, too!

Be Curious

If you don’t understand something or you're not sure if you are doing your task correctly, don’t hesitate to ask questions. You are new at this, and you are not expected to have all the answers. You will be trained on the various aspects of your job, but there will always be more you can learn. There are certifications you can take, blogs and books you can read, networking events to attend. Take advantage of the endless resources you have available to you.

Be Patient

There’s a lot to learn. You'll acquire a lot of knowledge and skills that will serve you well in your marketing career, but you won’t learn them all overnight. Like any job, some parts of it will be more interesting than others, and, at times, tasks can feel redundant. Just know that your contribution to the process is an important one, and we want you to take it seriously.

Remember, that the people you are working with had to do a lot of these redundant tasks when they were first getting started. If your team trusts you, then you'll be given more important tasks that will help them get to bigger, more strategic tasks.

Work Hard

Show up with a great attitude and a positive spirit. If you do, you will fit right in. Trust me, your hard work will be noticed and appreciated. We will be clear about expectations, so you will know what a good job looks like. Be open to, and ask for, feedback. Apply it to your work. This is how you learn. This is how you will grow.

Deliver Quality Work

You'll be chosen for an internship because you showed a good work ethic and demonstrated a level of professionalism that we expect to carry on. Accuracy and attention to detail are expected in everything you do, so regardless of your task, bring your best.

Have Fun

Finally, have fun. We are looking forward to helping you let your true potential shine. This is your time to make great connections, gain a deeper understanding of a variety of businesses and industry practices, and who knows, perhaps even earn your way to a full-time position!