As someone who went through the rollercoaster of college to decide what I wanted to do with my life, I'll share tips and my own experiences to show how I got to my position working in social media full-time.
Get Involved with Your Major and Student Organizations
I have seen several different majors in my career field. English, communication studies, art, marketing, public relations, and journalism. There isn't a particular one that would determine whether you get the job. If you major in marketing, you'll probably have a stronger sense of KPIs, analytics, and developing a strategy for your social media. Journalism and English majors are great storytellers, and art students have creative eyes. Class projects are a great way to start your portfolio to show employers your skillsets. Keeping all your papers and written content in a single word document is the most efficient way to share with others. If you have any design projects, I recommend creating a portfolio to share as a PDF. Canva has several free templates to get you started.
Another way to bulk up your portfolio is by getting involved with student organizations or clubs. Oftentimes, these organizations create social media accounts to promote events and invite people to join. It's a great way to be a part of something you enjoy and has the creative freedom to promote your organization.
Launch Your Own Social Media Accounts
An even easier way to build your portfolio is to start your own social media accounts. This can also be viewed as a digital portfolio to share with employers. I recommend creating completely new accounts to attract the audience you want rather than sharing content with existing followers like friends and family (they may want to unfollow you.) Most creators curate vlogs relevant to travel, fashion, and their everyday life. Show off your video editing skills or brilliant graphic designs.
Revamp Your Resume + Cover Letter
Your portfolio and social media accounts may seem enough to prove you're a great fit for this internship. Still, you'll also need to make a resume and cover letter to share how you can provide innovation and creativity to the employer. Resumes take on many forms, so don't be overwhelmed when you see hundreds of templates. Find one that suits you and make it your own. I purchased mine off of Etsy, and I love it because it came with a cover letter and reference list to all match. I always get compliments on how professional it looks.
Find Your References
Sometimes it's a toss if an employer will call your references, but most applications will ask for them. Having at least three references is best. They can be your supervisors, advisor, or professors from your classes. It's also good to note that your references have a good background of your work ethic. Have you at least had a couple of conversations with this person? Be sure to send them a description of the position you're applying for so they can prepare and provide examples for the employer.
Research the Place You're Applying for
You've landed the interview for the social media internship, but you don't know much about the organization. It's time to research and find out how they're currently using social media. It's good to note what they're doing well and what they need to improve. Examples are, "Your Instagram account has a good following, but there's a lack of engagement; perhaps you should include more of a "human element" to your content." If you tell them something is lacking, it's very important to give them an idea to resolve it.
Always Ask Questions!
At the end of your interview, an employer will ask, "what questions do you have for us?" Never walk away saying that you don't have any. Ask about your day-to-day, what projects previous interns worked on, or what challenges you may face. The company interviewed you, so now it's time to ask them the questions!
I hope you found these tips and recommendations helpful! If you have any questions regarding college internships or social media, please connect with me on LinkedIn so we can start a conversation!
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