If you are interested in the bright lights of the media industry, this post is for you. Media internships arm students and graduates with a wide array of skills needed for a successful media career. In such a hands-on industry, internships are essential for developing practical experience and know-how.
This article breaks down 7 of the best media internships in the UK.
What Is A Media Internship?
A media internship provides you with the skills and relevant work experience to begin a career in the media industry.
The media industry is a broad one, encompassing professionals from many disciplines. From journalism to photography to entertainment, media is all about creating and delivering content. The format of this content can vary greatly, spanning written communications, television, radio, film, and social media.
Since media is such a large field, each media internship will focus on a specific skill set that is catered to the specialist area. However, there are some core skills that all media professionals should possess. These include exceptional communication skills, creative thinking, high emotional intelligence, and technical skills.
While media internships are traditionally on-site, there is now an increased number of remote internship opportunities.
7 Top Media Internships UK
Here’s a look at the 7 best media internships for UK students and graduates.
1. BBC
The BBC is a British institution renowned for its established internship programmes and graduate schemes. The BBC talent schemes prepare graduates and school leavers for a career within the broadcasting powerhouse. As such, there is a wide range of media internships to choose from. For instance, you may prefer to dive into the world of journalism or perhaps you want to pursue a career in production.
The BBC has long since been a media leader in the UK, and it shows no signs of slowing down. Thus, landing a media internship will certainly open doors for you and set you on a rewarding career path.
2. Disney
Disney is one of the most recognisable brands in the world, spanning books, films, theme parks, and toys. As a giant in the world of media and entertainment, there is a broad range of media-related internships available at Disney. For instance, it’s a 12-month, paid digital media internship. The internship prepares you for the fast-paced world of digital media, covering all sides of the business.
With locations all over the world and a vast range of career paths, Disney offers some of the best media internships out there. The Walt Disney Company includes everything from National Geographic to 20th Century Studios to Walt Disney Animation Studios. Therefore, an internship here could propel your media career forward immensely.
3. News UK
In 2021, News UK became the first media organisation to sign up for the UK government’s Kickstart Scheme. In a bid to help young people find their first role in media, the programme offered 6-month work placements to youths between 16 to 24 years old. The programme was specifically aimed at young people who are on Universal Credit and at high risk of long-term unemployment.
News UK is the current publisher of major UK publications such as The Times, The Sunday Times, and The Sun. As part of the programme, trainees will work in roles including podcast assistant at talkSPORT, fashion assistant at Fabulous Magazine, digital content assistant at Virgin Radio, and broadcast assistant at Times Radio. At the end of the course, interns will earn an NCTJ certificate of Foundation Journalism which is equivalent to an A-Level.
4. Spotify
If you’re a music buff, aspiring music technician, or interested in a career in music, a Spotify internship will certainly help. Spotify offers summer internships across the globe, including in London and New York. The programme lasts between 10 and 13 weeks and offers invaluable insight into the world of audio consumption. It offers opportunities in either its business or technical teams.
With limited spots, this internship is in high demand. As such, Spotify has stated that it is particularly interested in candidates studying computer science, graphic design, human-computer interaction, or computer engineering.
5. TikTok
If you are interested in a career in social media or music production, a media internship with TikTok could be for you.
The social media platform has a wealth of internship opportunities across the US, South America, Asia, and Europe. From fixed-term positions to summer internships, it’s a great place to gain valuable work experience. Some media-focused internships include music production, live streaming, or social media.
6. PepsiCo
For those who are passionate about marketing, the PepsiCo graduate scheme is an excellent way to gain practical experience. As a global leader in the food and beverages industry, there’s a lot to learn at PepsiCo. The graduate programme is open to recent graduates with outstanding academic results. Rather than solely focusing on marketing, it is a rotational scheme that gives trainees the chance to learn about multiple business areas.
Trainees are assigned a mentor to guide them and the opportunity to transition into specific business areas upon completion of the scheme. As such, there are huge learning and development possibilities. If you are more interested in the business side of marketing, MBA graduates can apply for the Grow programme which specialises in Strategy, Sales, and Insights.
7. Harper Collins Publishers
With over 200 years in the business, HarperCollins is the second-biggest consumer book publisher on the planet. As such, an internship at this publishing tour de force is a fantastic way to kickstart a career in publishing, editing, or writing.
In a bid to promote diversity, Harper Collins offers a paid, year-long traineeship for Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds. Applicants don’t need previous publishing experience or a degree to apply. During the program, trainees learn the ropes and are totally immersed in the world of publishing. What’s more, applicants who score highly in the in-person assessment but aren’t selected for the traineeship are added to a pipeline. They are then considered when new entry-level positions come up.
Final Thoughts
Media internships provide an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the fast-paced media world. Whether you’re a budding journalist, editor, or producer, media internships will help you build the skills you need to succeed.
At Developing a Student, we’re committed to helping students and graduates find the internship or career of their dreams. Be sure to check our dedicated Student and Graduate Jobs Board for opportunities in your area.
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