Writing & PR Intern
Job Description
This internship is designed for students with excellent writing skills who desire practical experience producing a variety of copy styles in a marketing/public relations setting. The Marketing/Communications Writing Intern will be responsible for producing news releases, blogs, feature stories, advertising copy, social media posts, etc. under the direction of the Assistant Vice President for University Communications. Duties include gathering information from on- and off-campus sources; taking photographs for news releases, social media posts and brochures; and writing for a variety of formats. In addition, the Intern will assist as needed with other functions of the marketing/public relations office.
Qualifications
Students must have completed COM 320 – Media Writing prior to beginning the Marketing/Communications Writing Internship. This course is offered fall semester through the College of Arts & Sciences and will provide students with a basic understanding of Associated Press style, which is the professional standard for marketing communications and media writing.
Learning Objectives
The Marketing/Communications Writing Intern will gain practical, hands-on experience in an award-winning marketing/public relations office. Upon completion of the internship, the Intern should be able to develop the newsgathering, writing and interviewing skills necessary for an entry-level job in the public relations, journalism or copywriting field. The Intern should have developed a portfolio that may be beneficial in gaining employment.
Method of Evaluation
The Marketing/Communications Writing Intern will receive ongoing evaluation from the Assistant Vice President for University Communications who will edit copy and provide direction for assignments.
Work Hours
The Marketing/Communications Writing Intern will work 100 hours for a 3-hour internship during a semester. Weekly hours will be determined by the student’s schedule and the needs of the Office for Marketing & Public Relations. Some hours may be completed in off-site in the evenings or on weekends.
Responsibilities of Marketing/Communications Writing Intern
- Coordinating work hours with the Assistant Vice President for University Communications.
- Reporting to work at assigned times and maintaining a professional attitude as a representative of the Office for Marketing & Public Relations and the University of Mobile
- Completing assigned work in a timely manner
- Working to the best of his/her ability to produce on deadline accurate, well-written assignments
Responsibilities of Office for Marketing & Public Relations
- Providing learning opportunities that allow the Intern to develop skills and understanding of marketing and public relations/university communications functions
- Making assignments that will provide opportunities for the Intern to develop a professional portfolio of work
- Mentoring the Intern by encouraging learning opportunities and ongoing professional development
Expected Exit Competencies
Upon completion of the internship, the Marketing & Public Relations Writing Intern should be able to:
- Knowledgeably discuss the news value and potential for public relations use of an event, program or individual
- Demonstrate the ability to write single-source and multiple-source news releases and feature stories on deadline
- Demonstrate the ability to produce diverse styles of copywriting for various purposes, from social media posts to brochures
- Demonstrate the ability to take photographs worthy of reproduction in online and print news media, social media and marketing brochures
Intern Supervisor
Kathy Dean, Assistant Vice President for University Communications
University of Mobile
(251) 442-2215
kdean@umobile.edu
