I’m Concerned About Getting an Internship. What do I do?

Written by Emma Short

I’m concerned about getting an internship. What do I do?

If you are anything like me, you are concerned about getting a job post-grad. 

The job market is more competitive than ever. It feels like extensive experience is necessary for every role. Especially in the marketing industry, many roles require post-graduate education. And the first and somehow most grueling step? Obtaining an impressive internship.

My LinkedIn feed is flooded with my peers accepting full-time internship offers – some even as freshmen. Although the fields are vastly different from marketing, I can’t help but compare myself. While I’m ecstatic to experience working in a role that mirrors my future career, internships feel like a box to be checked rather than a way to gain valuable experience. I yearn to obtain an internship that fuels my drive to succeed and excites me about my future in marketing.

If you’re feeling the same, you’re not alone. In seeking advice on how to set myself apart from prospective candidates, I have discovered three key takeaways. For your benefit, I have compiled a list to help you navigate the internship process for a marketing or marketing-adjacent role. While these may not guarantee your dream internship, they will strengthen your skills and prepare you for your future professional career. 

Strengthen your personal brand. 

Having a consistent image of yourself on social media accounts and portfolios can show employers the skills and work ethic. A portfolio that ties into your personal brand can also help you stand out and showcase your work to recruiters. Tailor your social media accounts and portfolios to represent your values and future goals, and be consistent in tone and style. Check out our blog post on enhancing your personal branding for more tangible ways to achieve this. 

Make yourself familiar with AI and technology. 

Gen Z, as a generation of digital natives, has the upper hand in adapting to new technologies – an important skill necessary for any job nowadays. While AI can be negatively looked upon when used in the wrong ways, many marketing roles require or benefit from the use of AI to analyze data, enable personalized marketing or gather insights. Companies want employees who are knowledgeable and adaptable. I would recommend researching the technology necessary for your role, and consider taking an online course to familiarize yourself with AI tools. This will not only prepare you for your future career, but it will also show recruiters that you are ready to learn and adapt. 

Stay proactive. 

It is easy to feel discouraged during the process of finding an internship, but remember, the people who are posting about their new jobs on LinkedIn probably didn’t give up after the first setback. Set small goals for yourself. Celebrate the little things, like each interview or response you get. Don’t be afraid to reach out to recruiters or someone in the industry and ask to connect. Even apply for jobs that may not be obviously connected to your dream career. Any experience will show employers that you took initiative to step into a learning role; plus, each interview has something to gain from it. 

At the end of the day, internships are not the only way to gain practical experience in your preferred field. Mockups of social media accounts, a personal blog, freelance work or even class work can make you stand out as an applicant for a full-time position. I encourage you to leverage your skills, work hard and be confident in yourself and what you bring to the table. The right job will come.