Firstly, I’m not a big fan of internships. particularly, non-paid internships. If someone is contributing something worthwhile to your business, PAY THEM!
A few years ago, digital internships and social media internships may have been a valid career route in a mostly unregulated sector. It may have been beneficial to volunteer in order to gain valuable experience moving forward. Like traditional marketing, digital marketing relies on performance based results. Hands on experience in the field in a successful company or agency could be invaluable when applying for another job.
The current digital marketing sector is now very different. As the sector continues to grow, recognisable accreditations are becoming much more standard working practice. With such a high demand for businesses to move online, traditional marketers are feeling the pressure to brush up their skills and knowledge in this marketing niche and are often looking for courses to round out their existing skill sets and remain competitive in their field.
Unless the internship undertaken also provides a paid post upon completion, it may not be the best use of your time. I was very lucky in my introduction to digital marketing in that my employer allowed me access to our social channels. The oversight I was given was simply to keep all posts within the brands narrative style. Working alongside my paid role, I was able to build my skill set and grow my knowledge at my own comfortable pace. Since then I have taken a hobby and passion and understood the need for recognised qualifications in an extremely competitive sector.
With everyone rushing online and looking for help there are plenty of digital marketing jobs opening up. I have however seen seen jobs advertised at almost minimum wage requiring a degree by the job poster. With digital marketing previously considered a niche of marketing, previously, this would have been a well paid job as the sector increased, but now, what is considered digital marketing is getting more and more confusing.
Everyone with a social profile on a platform assumes that if they have a high following, they can break into digital marketing. Some assume if they are considered ‘influencers’ they will be immediately successful. Traditional marketers finding their budgets squeezed or salaries slashed pull their hair out as their marketing experience is undervalued without technical digital skills. The previous lack of regulation in the sector is coming to an end
Internships are indeed important. If you have the time and can afford to undertake them, there’s no doubt you can walk away having learnt invaluable practices to help you moving forward. Unfortunately, they wont be able to guarantee a job upon completion anymore unless you are brought in-house after. The global pandemic will continue to move companies more prominently online, more and more people are freelancing as digital marketers and now is the time to thoughtfully consider if your joining the sector, which way will benefit YOU?
Defiant Media & Marketing 