Digital Marketing Internships

You might read the words digital marketing and think of people stuck in an office spamming Facebook and LinkedIn with posts. It couldn’t be further from the truth.

Digital marketing is a buzzing industry where no two days are the same. You’ll meet some fascinating people and gain lots of knowledge along the way.

Read on to learn how you can kick-start your career with a digital marketing internship.

Or skip ahead…

• What is digital marketing?
• What does a digital marketing intern do?
• How long does an internship last?
• How much do digital marketing interns earn?
• What qualifications will I need for a digital marketing internship?
• When should I apply for an internship?
• What happens after an Internship?
• The Best Digital Marketing employers to work for

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What is digital marketing?

Digital marketing officers are basically behind-the-scenes influencers. 

Remember that unnecessary large cloud-shaped lamp you bought because your favourite influencer said it was lit..? Guaranteed, a team of marketing officers were behind that.

Around 5 billion of us use the internet, and digital marketing brings the products and services we love right to our fingertips.

So whether it’s an advert that pops up after an Instagram story post or an email previewing the latest Jordans, you’ll be able to purchase/sign up right then and there without leaving the page.

The sector is hugely diverse, and every industry uses marketing in some capacity. So, you could find yourself working in fashion, finance, health, or even entertainment.

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The different types of digital marketing

Digital marketing brings products and services right to our fingertips. 

There are several ways that this is done:

These are just some of the many avenues digital marketing officers take.

The role can also involve…

• Pay-per-click advertising
• Affiliate marketing
• Conversion rate optimisation
• Analytics
• Graphics and design
• Meeting with and pitching to clients
• Tracking digital trends

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Our guide to marketing internships is jam-packed full of information. Got a spare moment? Give it a read.

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What does a digital marketing intern do?

There’s this strange idea that interns do nothing but shadow and run into office buildings dripping in sweat, holding an enormous order of 50 coffees. It’s all a lie.

Firstly, an internship enhances your employability by a gazillion per cent. Secondly, employers use internships to talent-spot for graduate roles. So when the time comes for them to hire, they’ll likely remember you!

What’s your day to day role like?

Every day is different. And as a result, you’ll be exposed to a wild variety of experiences.

One day you might be writing copy for a blog post or email. Another day might involve taking photos and filming reels / IGTV posts for Instagram.

You’ll get to work on campaigns and assist with various tasks, even leading a small project. Overall, you’ll develop skills and gain experience that will give you a solid career start.

You’ll do a lot during a digital marketing internship, and responsibilities will vary from role to role. However, a lot of job postings will look like this…

• Assist in creating marketing and promotional assets
• Update the social schedule and work with influencers to create Instagram reels and TikTok videos
• Interact with external clients
• Research competitor marketing and digital content
• Keep the website up to date with relevant and targeted information

Hard skills

Some hard skills include… 

• SEO
• Blogging
• Keyword research
• Data analysis
• Social media

Soft skills

And soft skills include…

• Teamwork
• Creativity
• Curiosity
• Honesty
• Problem-solving

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How long does an internship last?

That depends entirely on the scheme and employer. They’ll usually last anywhere between a few weeks to four months. Check the job description for the duration. It’ll be listed there.

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How much do digital marketing interns earn?

As an intern, you’ll receive the National Minimum Wage. However, some employers pay a lot more.

Based on thousands of reviews by interns on RateMyPlacement.co.uk, the average student salary is £18,361. According to talent.com, the average salary for a digital marketing officer was £32,000, with a starting salary of £22,000 for graduates.

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Want to know what other students thought about their placements and internships? There are thousands of reviews online right now. Why not give them a read..?

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What qualifications will I need for a digital marketing internship?

The reality is, as a student, you’re not going to have all the experience and qualifications that employers want, which is why a digital marketing internship is a great way to get ahead.

As always, this varies from scheme to scheme. However, all employers want their candidates to have/be working towards a degree – so you’re already halfway there.

Skills

Rather than looking for actual qualifications, employers want their candidates to have specific skills that’ll be essential to the role. For example…

• Verbal and written communication
• Knowledge of social media channels
• Able to work to deadlines
• People skills
• Problem-solving
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Industries

Candidates can come from similar backgrounds, including:

• Business/E-Business
• Creative and graphic design
• Journalism
• Advertising, media and communications

What matters is that you show an employer that you know your stuff, have a passion for digital marketing and are trend-conscious.

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When should I apply for an internship?

The internship season starts in September and ends in August, with many taking place during the summer months.

There are literally thousands of students looking for an internship. The ISE (Institute of Student Employers) reports that there are around 80 applications per internship role. The competition is fierce.

Not only that, but the process can be lengthy. Once you’ve applied, you’d then have an initial telephone/video interview.

Assessment centre

Should you progress, you’ll be invited to an assessment centre that’ll involve everything from group exercises to interviews. If you pass that round, you’ll then be invited to a final stage interview.

In short, it’s best to get your applications in early to avoid disappointment. It’s also very important to keep track of the internships you’ve applied for or want to apply for.

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What happens after an Internship?

Will an internship end in being offered a full-time job? It depends.

While a full-time position isn’t a guarantee, an internship does increase your employability by a gazillion per cent. So you’ll have a higher chance of getting on a graduate scheme.

If you aren’t kept on or offered a graduate position, it’s all good. Your career is not over.

Keep searching and applying for roles. Your dream job is right around the corner.

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The Best Digital Marketing employers to work for

Every company needs an online presence and will 200% have a digital marketing team, meaning there’s likely to be a trolley-load of internships available.

We care about careers, and it’s our supreme goal to make sure you know where to apply.

Each year we unveil the Best Student Employers to work for in the UK based on thousands of student reviews on RateMyPlacement.co.uk.

Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC Universal and The Walt Disney Company all made the top 100, being the best digital marketing employers to work for in the UK.

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