Why Marketing Internships are Essential for College Students

Many college students treat their advertising classes as their sole or main priority. While advertising classes are important, seeking real world experience overhauls the educational programs. In my experience, college classes tend to focus on research for the institutions, internships create an everlasting impact with companies. 

While it’s understandable that students want to focus on classes, internships solidify their hard and soft skills that allow them to get entry-level jobs. 

Internships create real world experiences

Students will never understand client experiences from the classroom or clubs. As client priorities change from strategy to creation, there will never be a quiz, test, or keystone campaign project that will prepare you for these moments. Clients will prioritize what feels right for themselves and what is attainable for their quarterly goals, and it’s important to learn how to adapt accordingly.

Internships allow for real-world experience, not remembering quiz answers about organic or paid media strategy. 

Recruiters want real world experience, not lists of classes you’ve taken

Agency and corporate recruiters want students with experience in the field. Seems impossible? But then you realize many students will try and get their experience through the classes they’ve taken in their resume. 

The problem? The job market is too saturated with students who don’t have enough experience in the advertising field. The best way to get real world experience? Learn hard skills such as Adobe Creative Suite, be proficient in Excel, and learn how to write copy that converts. 

These skills are not often taught in the classroom. It never hurts to learn a new skill pertaining to your degree.

Building a personal brand

As students build out their portfolio & resume, building a personal brand of learned experiences will get you recruited. 

It doesn’t hurt to try a day in the life video. The LinkedIn algorithm will now prioritize content creators and it looks really good to any company you may go to. Showcase off the video editing, the graphic design, and your creativity outside of the classroom. 

If you don’t have an internship yet, try posting on all platforms – including LinkedIn. 

Mentors outside of the University

Professors, career consultants, and university mentors are important, the constant research they apply themselves to & wanting to have success for the students is important. 

Some of the best mentors are the ones outside of the University. The ones who were previous interns, fellows, and found their way to a senior marketing position. 

Those who worked on campaign strategy, account strategy, and marketing management understand the importance of students connecting with professionals. It never hurts to reach out and set up coffee chats with professionals in the marketing field.

New outlook on things

It’s not about dismissing university classes, it’s about connecting outside of the University. An internship will truly help you take your skills to the next level.

If you don’t land an internship, reach out & set up coffee chats with the professional in your field. The worst they can say is no.