What do you do if you're struggling to secure a digital strategy internship?

If you're interested in pursuing a career in digital strategy, an internship can be a great way to gain valuable experience, build your network, and showcase your skills. However, securing a digital strategy internship can be challenging, especially in a competitive market. In this article, we'll share some tips on what you can do if you're struggling to land an internship in this field.

1 Identify your goals

Before you start applying for internships, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and learn from them. What kind of digital strategy projects are you passionate about? What skills do you want to develop or improve? What kind of organizations or industries are you interested in working for? Having specific and realistic goals will help you narrow down your options and tailor your applications accordingly.

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Rochelle Menezes

Head of Account Management - Digital Marketing Division I INSIDEA
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While I didn't personally intern, I still recognize the importance of setting clear goals before diving into any professional endeavor. Whether it's through internships or other avenues, having a clear direction helps in focusing efforts and achieving desired outcomes. Even without direct internship experience, I've applied this principle in various aspects of my professional development, ensuring that each step taken contributes meaningfully to my growth and aspirations.

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Olubunmi A.

â•ï¸LinkedIn Top Voice |â•ï¸31k+ Followers | Digital Transformation & Leadership Developer | Volunteer Head Digital Strategy & Social Media | Agile Coach | Consultant | Speaker | Writer |
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Expand Your Search: Look beyond traditional internship listings and explore opportunities with startups, small businesses, non-profits, or freelance projects that may offer valuable hands-on experience in digital strategy.

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2 Update your resume and portfolio

Your resume and portfolio are the first impressions that potential employers will have of you, so you need to make sure they are relevant, concise, and professional. Highlight your education, skills, and achievements that are related to digital strategy, and use keywords and metrics that demonstrate your impact. Include examples of your previous or current digital strategy work, such as case studies, reports, campaigns, or websites. If you don't have much experience, you can also create your own projects or volunteer for a non-profit or a small business.

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Rochelle Menezes

Head of Account Management - Digital Marketing Division I INSIDEA
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Starting as an account executive, my journey into advertising began with hands-on client interaction and project management. While I didn't have the conventional internships, this role honed my organizational skills and client-facing abilities, which I highlighted in my resume and portfolio. Even without direct digital strategy experience, I emphasized how my account executive background equipped me with the foundation to understand client needs and collaborate effectively in executing digital campaigns.

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3 Expand your network

Networking is an essential tool for finding and securing internships, as it can help you uncover new opportunities, get referrals, and gain knowledge from those in the field. You can network online or offline, based on your preferences and availability. Joining online communities related to digital strategy, such as LinkedIn groups, Reddit subreddits, or Slack channels is one way to network. Alternatively, you can attend events and workshops related to digital strategy, such as webinars, conferences, or meetups. Additionally, you can reach out to people who work in digital strategy and ask them for advice, feedback, or referrals; just be sure to be respectful and genuine. Lastly, you should follow up with your contacts and keep them updated on your progress and goals.

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Alessandro L.

I help you bootstrap marketing at scale | Digital Marketing
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Networking can significantly increase your chances of securing an internship. Attend industry webinars, workshops, and conferences where you can meet professionals in the digital strategy field. Join relevant groups on LinkedIn and participate in discussions to raise your profile. Consider reaching out to alumni from your school who work in digital strategy for informational interviews; they can provide valuable insights and might even refer you to internship opportunities. Expanding your network exposes you to more opportunities and can provide a crucial edge in your internship search.

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4 Improve your skills

Another way to boost your chances of getting an internship is to improve your skills and knowledge in digital strategy. You can do this by taking online courses, reading books and blogs, watching videos and podcasts, or doing practice exercises. You can also use online tools and platforms to learn and apply digital strategy concepts, such as Google Analytics, WordPress, or Canva. By improving your skills, you can show your potential employers that you are motivated, curious, and capable of learning new things.

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5 Be flexible and persistent

Finally, you need to be flexible and persistent in your internship search. You may not find your ideal internship right away, or you may face rejections and setbacks. Don't let that discourage you or stop you from applying. Instead, be open to different possibilities and opportunities, and learn from your feedback and mistakes. Keep applying, networking, and improving until you find an internship that suits your goals and interests.

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6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that donâ€™t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you're struggling to secure a digital strategy internship?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals

2 Update your resume and portfolio

3 Expand your network

4 Improve your skills

5 Be flexible and persistent

6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Digital Strategy

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Directory

What do you do if you're struggling to secure a digital strategy internship?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Identify your goals

2 Update your resume and portfolio

3 Expand your network

4 Improve your skills

5 Be flexible and persistent

6 Hereâ€™s what else to consider

Digital Strategy

Rate this article

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