Here's how you can kickstart your advertising career with internships.
Embarking on a career in advertising can be as thrilling as it is daunting, but internships offer a golden ticket to gaining invaluable experience and getting your foot in the door. They provide a unique opportunity to apply your academic knowledge to real-world scenarios, understand industry dynamics, and build a professional network. Moreover, internships can often lead to full-time positions, making them an essential stepping stone in your advertising career journey. By securing the right internships, you can cultivate the skills, confidence, and connections needed to thrive in the competitive world of advertising.
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Anil K PanditExecutive Vice President-Publicis Media Services - Digital | Data | Tech | Programmatic |MMA Council Member-AI & Data…
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Marc HuenerwadelArt Direction / Creative Concepting1 Reply
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Imtiaz AliSEO & Link Builder Specialist | Helping businesses for Founder CEOs into cash magnets | Increase Traffic and Sales with…
Internships in advertising are not just about making coffee or running errands; they're a critical learning experience that can set the foundation for your career. You'll get to work on actual campaigns, understand client objectives, and see firsthand how strategies are executed. It's important to choose internships that align with your interests and career goals. Whether it's in a creative, digital, or media planning role, make sure the position offers the chance to work on meaningful projects and provides mentorship opportunities. This hands-on experience is what will distinguish you in the job market later on.
To find advertising internships, start by scouring job boards, company websites, and professional social media platforms. Networking is also key; attend industry events, join advertising clubs or societies, and reach out to professionals for informational interviews. Your college career center can be a valuable resource, offering access to exclusive internship listings and connections to alumni working in the industry. Remember, persistence is crucial—apply to multiple opportunities and don't get discouraged by rejection. Each application is a chance to refine your approach and enhance your prospects.
Your resume is your personal marketing tool. It should highlight relevant coursework, projects, and any previous internships or work experience. Tailor your resume for each application to showcase how your skills align with the specific role you're targeting. Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments and quantify results whenever possible. Including any proficiency in advertising tools or software can give you an edge. Remember, your resume should not only list experiences but also tell a story of your potential as an advertising professional.
The interview is where you make your pitch and convince the agency that you're the right fit for their team. Research the company extensively and be prepared to discuss their work, industry trends, and your own ideas. Practice common interview questions but also be ready for curveballs that test your creativity and problem-solving skills. Show enthusiasm and ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in advertising and the specific internship role. This is also your chance to assess if the company's culture aligns with your career aspirations.
Once you've landed an internship, it's time to maximize the experience. Take initiative, seek out learning opportunities, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Build relationships with your colleagues and supervisors—they could be your future references or even employers. Document your achievements and projects you work on; these will be valuable additions to your portfolio. Treat every task with importance, even if it seems menial; it's all part of understanding the business from the ground up.
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*Sentimental comment incoming: As a Miami Ad School grad, I know the value and importance of internships! Internships give you the chance to learn, apply your skills and connect with awesome people. It's a time when you can really come up with crazy over the top ideas and show your dedication. To this day, I am grateful for the chance I got, when I started back in Zürich 🙏🏻 Later, I got the chance to experience further internships in agencies around the world, each with a different focus and work-culture. They led me to find and grow my passion for advertising and cultural marketing 🔥 I if you want to start your journey, feel free to reach out, we are always looking for inspiring young creatives at Universal Music for Brands!
Networking is integral to your success in the advertising world. Use your internship as a platform to connect with industry professionals and fellow interns. Attend company events, workshops, and other networking opportunities offered through your internship program. Maintain these relationships even after your internship ends by connecting on professional social media platforms and checking in periodically. These connections can provide career advice, recommend you for positions, and introduce you to others in the industry, thus expanding your professional network.
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While networking is key , it is especially important when you are just starting your career. Also,in an internship, I would say that networking internally will be more important than doing it with external folks as you would spend more time learning new things within the organisation. But having said that you should always be ready to couple this with interacting with peers, leaders , mentors , clients and partners in the industry whenever you get an opportunity to do so. Not to forget ''LinkedIn'' platform itself which can really help you a lot on this. Make sure to talk to different people /managers/heads within the organization or via your manager to gain more knowledge of the allied divisions within the advertising agency.
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