11 answers
Isabel
Student
Long Beach, California
2
Questions
Asked
890 views
How can I get experience to marketing as a rising high school senior with lack of internships near my area?
My goal is to pursue a career as a marketing specialist, especially at Disney, how can I get more exposure to the industry of marketing if I am only a high school student?
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11 answers
Matthew Gleim
VP of Global Marketing
5
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
Isabel,
You've gotten some great advice here already, so I'll share some ideas that may complement or add on to what others have said. You mentioned that internships and direct access to marketing experience are tough to come by—but it is important to point out that many of the most successful marketers I work with do not start their careers with a marketing degree or, in many cases, with a marketing role. It is definitely important and a great kick-start, but you can focus on personal growth in areas of "transferable skills" that resonate with marketing roles.
While I would like to say my job as a marketer revolves around creating amazing visual offers and working on high-budget programs with national publications, the reality is that, more often than not, my day-to-day is focused on presenting ideas and outcomes. So, focusing some of your time and energy on growing your ability to present well to others is key. Whether it is nailing a great interview to get the job, presenting to coworkers to gather their support, or making a pitch to executives to attain their budget allocation, the best marketers are strong storytellers. I would encourage you, if you haven't already, to participate in your high school's speech or debate program or perhaps look at opportunities in your community to practice presenting, such as Toastmasters International. Gaining confidence today in putting together a narrative and sharing it with others will serve you well in college and in your career tomorrow.
Plan for thinking analytically. A marketer's key to success is not just about putting a great program into the market, but, more importantly, showing the success of that program. Most large corporations have marketing operations teams that pull together analytics, but being able to interact with those teams and speak their language is very important. And it is very likely your first job will be with a smaller organization, where you may need to wear more hats in that role. Take the opportunity to lean into courses that will broaden your knowledge of statistics, demographics, and forecasting. These are not the most exciting skills, but those around me who can speak the language of data run the marketing world. Marketing, in many cases, is math.
Marketing is digital and data-driven today. I will admit that there is still a fair amount of sitting in a room with mood boards, beautiful ad designs, and big ideas. But to bring those programs to life, we use technology. Most of the big marketing technology (martech) vendors offer training on their tools—many for free. I am obviously partial to Salesforce, and we have a program called Trailhead where folks can learn about our tools—but there are countless others. Look at product learning on tools like Salesforce Marketing Cloud, HubSpot, Adobe Marketo, and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack. Stay on top of the changing trends in martech by attending webinars from providers as well. My second question in any interview is, "What tools are you confident using?"
Take advantage of local resources. The American Marketing Association charges an annual fee, but there may be local groups as well that are cost-free. These groups offer local meet-ups, thought leadership sessions, etc. It's a chance for you to meet potential mentors and get a taste for what type of marketing you want to engage in. Also, look for brands that are local to you and follow them on LinkedIn to see what they are up to—maybe even add and engage with marketers in that organization. Most marketers I know are keen to share their stories with others and give advice—just be mindful of their time.
The last piece of advice I would give is to practice. The best marketers are also consumers of marketing, and we critique every touchpoint that brands make with us. Study your favorite brands, like Disney, and work up mock presentations of how you may have approached a campaign differently. Imagine you are on the team that designed an experience—how would you expand on it, go global, reach more audiences, etc.? I hone my skills by putting myself in the shoes of an executive at my favorite brand and developing recommendations in my head for how they could have approached it differently—or how I might counteract if I were a competitive brand. Marketing talent is a skill that can be developed just like any other skill—watching how others do it and practicing it yourself.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
You've gotten some great advice here already, so I'll share some ideas that may complement or add on to what others have said. You mentioned that internships and direct access to marketing experience are tough to come by—but it is important to point out that many of the most successful marketers I work with do not start their careers with a marketing degree or, in many cases, with a marketing role. It is definitely important and a great kick-start, but you can focus on personal growth in areas of "transferable skills" that resonate with marketing roles.
While I would like to say my job as a marketer revolves around creating amazing visual offers and working on high-budget programs with national publications, the reality is that, more often than not, my day-to-day is focused on presenting ideas and outcomes. So, focusing some of your time and energy on growing your ability to present well to others is key. Whether it is nailing a great interview to get the job, presenting to coworkers to gather their support, or making a pitch to executives to attain their budget allocation, the best marketers are strong storytellers. I would encourage you, if you haven't already, to participate in your high school's speech or debate program or perhaps look at opportunities in your community to practice presenting, such as Toastmasters International. Gaining confidence today in putting together a narrative and sharing it with others will serve you well in college and in your career tomorrow.
Plan for thinking analytically. A marketer's key to success is not just about putting a great program into the market, but, more importantly, showing the success of that program. Most large corporations have marketing operations teams that pull together analytics, but being able to interact with those teams and speak their language is very important. And it is very likely your first job will be with a smaller organization, where you may need to wear more hats in that role. Take the opportunity to lean into courses that will broaden your knowledge of statistics, demographics, and forecasting. These are not the most exciting skills, but those around me who can speak the language of data run the marketing world. Marketing, in many cases, is math.
Marketing is digital and data-driven today. I will admit that there is still a fair amount of sitting in a room with mood boards, beautiful ad designs, and big ideas. But to bring those programs to life, we use technology. Most of the big marketing technology (martech) vendors offer training on their tools—many for free. I am obviously partial to Salesforce, and we have a program called Trailhead where folks can learn about our tools—but there are countless others. Look at product learning on tools like Salesforce Marketing Cloud, HubSpot, Adobe Marketo, and collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack. Stay on top of the changing trends in martech by attending webinars from providers as well. My second question in any interview is, "What tools are you confident using?"
Take advantage of local resources. The American Marketing Association charges an annual fee, but there may be local groups as well that are cost-free. These groups offer local meet-ups, thought leadership sessions, etc. It's a chance for you to meet potential mentors and get a taste for what type of marketing you want to engage in. Also, look for brands that are local to you and follow them on LinkedIn to see what they are up to—maybe even add and engage with marketers in that organization. Most marketers I know are keen to share their stories with others and give advice—just be mindful of their time.
The last piece of advice I would give is to practice. The best marketers are also consumers of marketing, and we critique every touchpoint that brands make with us. Study your favorite brands, like Disney, and work up mock presentations of how you may have approached a campaign differently. Imagine you are on the team that designed an experience—how would you expand on it, go global, reach more audiences, etc.? I hone my skills by putting myself in the shoes of an executive at my favorite brand and developing recommendations in my head for how they could have approached it differently—or how I might counteract if I were a competitive brand. Marketing talent is a skill that can be developed just like any other skill—watching how others do it and practicing it yourself.
Hope this helps, and good luck!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1879
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Isabel !
What you may want to do for the remainder of high school is take classes in Commercial Art and Business. You can also join clubs or groups at your school that are involved with video, design as well as think about doing promotions for your school's plays and events. This is where you'll need to start and once you enroll in college for a Degree, that is when you will obtain more experience for marketing and learn everything you will need for a future career. Right now, be active in high school and know that your future is bright for more education as well as gaining experience in marketing. It is perfectly fine to not have experience yet, but you can start this school year at your current school.
Something else you can do is frequently visit Disneyland in person. You are 26 miles from Disneyland so if your future plans include working for this company, become very familiar with it. Ask to speak with the Public Relations person and ask about possible volunteer opportunities. They have some experience opportunities for students and recent graduates and I have left a link for you below. You won't be able to do a company's marketing until after you graduate college with your degree, however, you can learn about Disney's Programs that are offered. Some of the programs that you can learn more about are their Disney College Program, Disney Internships and Disney Apprenticeships. Remember to take things a step at a time and fill your days with things that you are able to do right now. There are always opportunities for experiences as you move along with your education.
You do not exactly need an Internship right now. Another thing that you can do is develop self-projects. Meet with local shops and businesses and ask them if you can create a marketing package for them. Use the skills you have now or if you are not ready or interested in doing this, that's okay too. Do not rely solely on companies offering people internships - many do not, so you can be resourceful by tapping into what is available at your high school for your senior year and then look forward to college.
Even if you do not plan to apply to California State University, Long Beach, visit the campus and go to the Marketing Department. You can network there and they may have some resources or programs for you. Also visit their Career Center and the Academic Counseling Office to become more familiar with opportunities. You can learn a lot by taking an online Marketing class, also. I have left a link for information about this below, but you can also read about remote learning at Udemy, Skillshare and Coursera. Do an online search for their websites.
I hope that this will be helpful for a start and I wish you all the best !
DISNEYLAND WEBSITE https://disneyland.disney.go.com/
DISNEYLAND CAREERS https://jobs.disneycareers.com/
DISNEY CAREERS https://www.disneycareers.com/en AND DISNEY OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS https://www.disneycareers.com/en/students-and-recent-graduates
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, LONG BEACH MARKETING DEPARTMENT https://www.csulb.edu/college-of-business/marketing/inclusive-marketing-initiative
ONLINE MARKETING COURSES https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/free-online-marketing-classes
What you may want to do for the remainder of high school is take classes in Commercial Art and Business. You can also join clubs or groups at your school that are involved with video, design as well as think about doing promotions for your school's plays and events. This is where you'll need to start and once you enroll in college for a Degree, that is when you will obtain more experience for marketing and learn everything you will need for a future career. Right now, be active in high school and know that your future is bright for more education as well as gaining experience in marketing. It is perfectly fine to not have experience yet, but you can start this school year at your current school.
Something else you can do is frequently visit Disneyland in person. You are 26 miles from Disneyland so if your future plans include working for this company, become very familiar with it. Ask to speak with the Public Relations person and ask about possible volunteer opportunities. They have some experience opportunities for students and recent graduates and I have left a link for you below. You won't be able to do a company's marketing until after you graduate college with your degree, however, you can learn about Disney's Programs that are offered. Some of the programs that you can learn more about are their Disney College Program, Disney Internships and Disney Apprenticeships. Remember to take things a step at a time and fill your days with things that you are able to do right now. There are always opportunities for experiences as you move along with your education.
You do not exactly need an Internship right now. Another thing that you can do is develop self-projects. Meet with local shops and businesses and ask them if you can create a marketing package for them. Use the skills you have now or if you are not ready or interested in doing this, that's okay too. Do not rely solely on companies offering people internships - many do not, so you can be resourceful by tapping into what is available at your high school for your senior year and then look forward to college.
Even if you do not plan to apply to California State University, Long Beach, visit the campus and go to the Marketing Department. You can network there and they may have some resources or programs for you. Also visit their Career Center and the Academic Counseling Office to become more familiar with opportunities. You can learn a lot by taking an online Marketing class, also. I have left a link for information about this below, but you can also read about remote learning at Udemy, Skillshare and Coursera. Do an online search for their websites.
I hope that this will be helpful for a start and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you!
Isabel
I tried making a HubSpot account but it makes me sign up with a company. How can I just sign up as is?
Isabel
Oh, well, I do not know but if one of the requirements is to sign up as a company, I apologize for referring you to it. When I go there the options are to sign up with Google, Microsoft, Apple or your e-mail address. Here is the link to the page - https://academy.hubspot.com/courses/digital-marketing
When you first go to Hub Spot, click on one of the courses and then the sign in/register box comes up. You do not need to be a company. Hope this works !
Michelle M.
Collins Lucky
Data Entryspecialist, Cost analysis, Repairing of all kinds of smartphones, Apple, & Samsung mobile.
48
Answers
Bonny, RV
Updated
Collins’s Answer
Hello Isabel,
It's fantastic to hear about your dreams of pursuing a marketing career at Disney during your final year of high school. Here are some fun and engaging ways to gain valuable experience and get a head start:
1. **Dive into Online Courses:** Get to know the exciting world of digital and social media marketing.
2. **Kickstart a Personal Project:** How about starting your own blog or social media page?
3. **Serve your Local Community:** Offer a helping hand to local businesses or nonprofits with their marketing efforts.
4. **Be Active in School Clubs:** Get involved in clubs like DECA or FBLA.
5. **Make Connections:** Start linking up with marketing professionals on LinkedIn.
6. **Join the Online Community:** Become part of marketing forums and groups online.
7. **Tune into Webinars:** Pick up new knowledge from virtual events and workshops.
8. **Keep an Eye on Disney:** Stay in the loop with Disney's marketing initiatives and make connections with their employees.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to building a strong foundation of skills and connections in the marketing industry.
It's fantastic to hear about your dreams of pursuing a marketing career at Disney during your final year of high school. Here are some fun and engaging ways to gain valuable experience and get a head start:
1. **Dive into Online Courses:** Get to know the exciting world of digital and social media marketing.
2. **Kickstart a Personal Project:** How about starting your own blog or social media page?
3. **Serve your Local Community:** Offer a helping hand to local businesses or nonprofits with their marketing efforts.
4. **Be Active in School Clubs:** Get involved in clubs like DECA or FBLA.
5. **Make Connections:** Start linking up with marketing professionals on LinkedIn.
6. **Join the Online Community:** Become part of marketing forums and groups online.
7. **Tune into Webinars:** Pick up new knowledge from virtual events and workshops.
8. **Keep an Eye on Disney:** Stay in the loop with Disney's marketing initiatives and make connections with their employees.
By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to building a strong foundation of skills and connections in the marketing industry.
Thanks for the help.
Isabel
Doris Hu
Sr. Director of Sales Operations
20
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Doris’s Answer
Hello Isabel! Your enthusiasm and resolve are truly inspiring!
I would suggest taking some small steps:
- Arrange casual chats with marketing profiessionals
- Get involved in organizing and promoting events at your school or local community
- Enroll in online courses or training sessions
- Discover volunteering roles where you can practice marketing abilities, like promoting events or fundraising
I would suggest taking some small steps:
- Arrange casual chats with marketing profiessionals
- Get involved in organizing and promoting events at your school or local community
- Enroll in online courses or training sessions
- Discover volunteering roles where you can practice marketing abilities, like promoting events or fundraising
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6175
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Isabel!
I'm thrilled you're on board to assist me in untangling this intricate situation. Your empathy and readiness to back me up on my path are truly valued.
I believe it would be advantageous to probe further into certain aspects. Let's kick off with strategies for building a portfolio. I'm somewhat at a loss on how to present my work in a manner that effectively underlines my abilities and draws in potential clients or employers. Could you shed some light on how to construct a robust and captivating portfolio?
In addition, I'm keen to delve into job hunting methods more comprehensively. I'm uncertain about the starting point or how to approach potential employers or clients. Your insights on creating impactful cover letters, resumes, or even unsolicited emails would be immensely helpful.
Lastly, I'm curious to know more about handling strategies for my specific hurdles. I frequently grapple with procrastination, focus issues, and self-doubt, which can considerably hamper my productivity and overall wellness. Do you have any recommendations for tactics that could assist me in surmounting these barriers?
Thank you for your time and backing. I'm excited to learn and evolve under your mentorship.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
I'm thrilled you're on board to assist me in untangling this intricate situation. Your empathy and readiness to back me up on my path are truly valued.
I believe it would be advantageous to probe further into certain aspects. Let's kick off with strategies for building a portfolio. I'm somewhat at a loss on how to present my work in a manner that effectively underlines my abilities and draws in potential clients or employers. Could you shed some light on how to construct a robust and captivating portfolio?
In addition, I'm keen to delve into job hunting methods more comprehensively. I'm uncertain about the starting point or how to approach potential employers or clients. Your insights on creating impactful cover letters, resumes, or even unsolicited emails would be immensely helpful.
Lastly, I'm curious to know more about handling strategies for my specific hurdles. I frequently grapple with procrastination, focus issues, and self-doubt, which can considerably hamper my productivity and overall wellness. Do you have any recommendations for tactics that could assist me in surmounting these barriers?
Thank you for your time and backing. I'm excited to learn and evolve under your mentorship.
GOD BLESS YOU!
JC.
Cece Kintner
Marketing
6
Answers
Alpharetta, Georgia
Updated
Cece’s Answer
Isabel,
I applaud your plans to work at Disney! I like to remind people that marketing is more than just sending emails and social posts. Marketing is sales, marketing is branding, marketing is your own personal style. Many of the things you do daily are marketing in some way. And an important part of marketing is understanding why someone would believe - and act upon - your message.
Disney knows this well, and they use the "experience of Disney" as the most powerful tool in their marketing kit. Every part of the experience in a park is tailored to the needs and comfort of the guests. The rides and experiences are tied to emotions, including happiness, wonder and nostalgia. The same is true of the movies, media and other touchpoints they have with their audience.
To prepare for a career in marketing, I recommend you get involved in creative pursuits: writing, art, music and interpersonal skill building. Psychology is a helpful course of study, and you will also glean valuable experience if you get involved in clubs, groups and leadership roles with your peers. All of these help you understand the impact your messaging has on the people around you. I originally intended to be a teacher, and the psychology of education courses I took (including learning styles concentration) help me now.
Good luck to you as you pursue the field of marketing!
I applaud your plans to work at Disney! I like to remind people that marketing is more than just sending emails and social posts. Marketing is sales, marketing is branding, marketing is your own personal style. Many of the things you do daily are marketing in some way. And an important part of marketing is understanding why someone would believe - and act upon - your message.
Disney knows this well, and they use the "experience of Disney" as the most powerful tool in their marketing kit. Every part of the experience in a park is tailored to the needs and comfort of the guests. The rides and experiences are tied to emotions, including happiness, wonder and nostalgia. The same is true of the movies, media and other touchpoints they have with their audience.
To prepare for a career in marketing, I recommend you get involved in creative pursuits: writing, art, music and interpersonal skill building. Psychology is a helpful course of study, and you will also glean valuable experience if you get involved in clubs, groups and leadership roles with your peers. All of these help you understand the impact your messaging has on the people around you. I originally intended to be a teacher, and the psychology of education courses I took (including learning styles concentration) help me now.
Good luck to you as you pursue the field of marketing!
Karissa Helton
Teacher
202
Answers
Miami, Florida
Updated
Karissa’s Answer
Take DECA as an elective.
DECA stands for Developing Future Business Leaders. DECA is a career and technical student organization (CTSO) that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It's a popular club in high schools and colleges worldwide.
Key aspects of DECA:
Student-led organization: Members learn leadership skills by taking on roles within the club.
Competitive events: Students compete in various business-related challenges, such as role-plays, written events, and presentations.
Networking opportunities: Members connect with industry professionals and build relationships.
Real-world experience: DECA provides practical experience in business and entrepreneurship.
DECA stands for Developing Future Business Leaders. DECA is a career and technical student organization (CTSO) that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management. It's a popular club in high schools and colleges worldwide.
Key aspects of DECA:
Student-led organization: Members learn leadership skills by taking on roles within the club.
Competitive events: Students compete in various business-related challenges, such as role-plays, written events, and presentations.
Networking opportunities: Members connect with industry professionals and build relationships.
Real-world experience: DECA provides practical experience in business and entrepreneurship.
Hi Karissa! Can you give Isabel a little more information about DECA and why it would be helpful?
Sharyn Grose, Admin
Marie Thornton
Head of Marketing
1
Answer
England, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Marie’s Answer
Hi Isabel! Good question and one that is asked by many who are in the early stages of building their career. Companies want experience, but how do young people get that if they're not given an opportunity? You've listed Disney, so you've got your eyes on a particular brand, but don't make that the be all and end all. Also consider complementary brands to Disney, as experience with them may make you more desirable to Disney.
But how to get the experience? If your family are willing to support you financially while you're trying to build this experience, then I highly recommend offering yourself as a resource for free for a period of time to help in whatever way they could need. If you don't come with a price tag, it's harder to say no to. And what company couldn't do with extra resource? You need to propose this in the right way though as you don't want to come across as desperate or undervaluing yourself. You should lead with this being about you knowing your value and wanting to prove yourself with a 'nothing to lose' offer to the company or companies you approach.
Then, once you're in, network, network, network. Deliver the best version of yourself, deliver above and beyond whatever you're asked to do - even if it's what you consider menial - because if you create a good impression, people will notice you, advocate for you, recommend you, and all these things are crucial in building your professional reputation and career.
So, next steps I recommend are:
Make a list of the companies - like Disney - you'd like to get experience with
Create your LinkedIn profile - with a professional photo of you and a compelling personal profile statement which includes your passion and drive for learning and developing yourself and any other achievements you've had while at school that shows that you're trusted, you deliver and you're a rising talent
Research on LinkedIn some contacts within those companies and connect with them - look at any recommendations they've given and see the language they use to describe these people
Use those words to create an introductory message / email that you will then send to these people to offer yourself as a free resource for, say, a month because you want to build up your experience and network
And be resilient! You will get silences or rejections, but every one of those gets you one nearer to a yes.
Good luck! I'm wishing you well.
Marie
But how to get the experience? If your family are willing to support you financially while you're trying to build this experience, then I highly recommend offering yourself as a resource for free for a period of time to help in whatever way they could need. If you don't come with a price tag, it's harder to say no to. And what company couldn't do with extra resource? You need to propose this in the right way though as you don't want to come across as desperate or undervaluing yourself. You should lead with this being about you knowing your value and wanting to prove yourself with a 'nothing to lose' offer to the company or companies you approach.
Then, once you're in, network, network, network. Deliver the best version of yourself, deliver above and beyond whatever you're asked to do - even if it's what you consider menial - because if you create a good impression, people will notice you, advocate for you, recommend you, and all these things are crucial in building your professional reputation and career.
So, next steps I recommend are:
Make a list of the companies - like Disney - you'd like to get experience with
Create your LinkedIn profile - with a professional photo of you and a compelling personal profile statement which includes your passion and drive for learning and developing yourself and any other achievements you've had while at school that shows that you're trusted, you deliver and you're a rising talent
Research on LinkedIn some contacts within those companies and connect with them - look at any recommendations they've given and see the language they use to describe these people
Use those words to create an introductory message / email that you will then send to these people to offer yourself as a free resource for, say, a month because you want to build up your experience and network
And be resilient! You will get silences or rejections, but every one of those gets you one nearer to a yes.
Good luck! I'm wishing you well.
Marie
Brindley Mize
Marketing
3
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Brindley’s Answer
Hi Isabel! That's a great question and one that many in the early stages of their careers face. It can be challenging when companies ask for experience, yet it's tough to gain that experience without opportunities. However, there's a lot you can do to build your foundation and make yourself an attractive candidate for future roles, even at this early stage.
First, remember that every experience is valuable, even if it’s not with your dream company right away. If your long-term goal is to work for a brand like Disney, consider what other opportunities could help you build relevant skills and experience. For example, working with similar brands or smaller companies in the same industry can give you the foundational knowledge and experience that will make you more competitive when you apply to larger companies later on.
At this stage, I suggest reaching out to local businesses to see if they could use extra help in a marketing capacity, even as an unpaid intern. While getting paid is ideal, offering your time as an unpaid intern can sometimes open doors that might otherwise be closed. When approaching these businesses, emphasize the value you bring and how your skills can help them achieve their goals.
Wherever you land, make it a priority to network within the company. Set up coffee chats or lunch meetings to connect with different team members. The relationships you build can be just as important—if not more so—than the day-to-day work you do. Always show up ready to contribute, volunteer for new projects, and stay organized and transparent in your work. Making a strong impression will ensure people advocate for you in the future.
Here are some additional steps you can take to help you build a strong foundation and be well-prepared for future opportunities in the marketing industry. Good luck!
Create a LinkedIn Profile: Start documenting your experiences, extracurricular activities, leadership roles, and volunteer work. This will help you build a professional online presence and connect with others in the industry.
Explore Online Courses: There are many free resources to help you learn more about digital marketing. Check out platforms like Trailhead (https://trailhead.salesforce.com/) or HubSpot Academy (https://app.hubspot.com/signup-hubspot/academy) to start building your skills.
Make Connections: Begin networking with marketing professionals in your area on LinkedIn. Reach out for coffee chats to learn about their experiences and advice.
Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest trends and discussions in the marketing world. Publications like Harvard Business Review (https://hbr.org/topic/subject/marketing), AdWeek (https://www.adweek.com/), and AdAge (https://adage.com/) are great resources to stay informed.
First, remember that every experience is valuable, even if it’s not with your dream company right away. If your long-term goal is to work for a brand like Disney, consider what other opportunities could help you build relevant skills and experience. For example, working with similar brands or smaller companies in the same industry can give you the foundational knowledge and experience that will make you more competitive when you apply to larger companies later on.
At this stage, I suggest reaching out to local businesses to see if they could use extra help in a marketing capacity, even as an unpaid intern. While getting paid is ideal, offering your time as an unpaid intern can sometimes open doors that might otherwise be closed. When approaching these businesses, emphasize the value you bring and how your skills can help them achieve their goals.
Wherever you land, make it a priority to network within the company. Set up coffee chats or lunch meetings to connect with different team members. The relationships you build can be just as important—if not more so—than the day-to-day work you do. Always show up ready to contribute, volunteer for new projects, and stay organized and transparent in your work. Making a strong impression will ensure people advocate for you in the future.
Here are some additional steps you can take to help you build a strong foundation and be well-prepared for future opportunities in the marketing industry. Good luck!
Brindley recommends the following next steps:
deborah kania, bfa, mba
Marketing
65
Answers
New Bern, North Carolina
Updated
deborah’s Answer
Hello Isabel! I really appreciate your question. In high school, business/marketing is usually in the Career Technical program. They may have programs for job shadowing or internships. They can match you with a business/organization in your area. If you have the time, you could volunteer doing marketing with a nonprofit. Through your own family, maybe they can help you reach out to business owners/managers how could set up job shadowing. Does you high school have clubs - Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), SkillsUSA, etc.? Your involvement in them may lead to exposure to marketing. I hope my answer is helpful to you. Good luck!
Ayomide Julius
Sales attendant
9
Answers
Oyo, Nigeria
Updated
Ayomide’s Answer
It's great that you're already thinking about how to gain experience in marketing as a high school student! Even if internships are limited in your area, there are still several ways you can build relevant experience and skills to prepare for a career in marketing, especially if you're interested in working for a company like Disney. Here are some strategies:
1. Start a Personal Project or Blog
Create a Blog or YouTube Channel: Choose a topic you're passionate about and start creating content. This could be anything from movie reviews (especially Disney films), to marketing tips, to discussing trends in the entertainment industry.
Social Media Marketing: Build and manage social media accounts for your blog, showcasing your ability to grow an audience and engage with followers. This will give you hands-on experience with content creation, SEO, and social media marketing.
2. Freelance or Volunteer
Freelance: Offer your marketing services to local businesses, non-profits, or family friends. You can help them with social media management, content creation, or even basic graphic design. This could be done through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, where you can start with small tasks.
Volunteer for School Clubs: Get involved with marketing or publicity efforts for school clubs, sports teams, or events. Help them promote events, manage social media, or design promotional materials.
3. Online Courses and Certifications
Free and Paid Online Courses: Websites like Coursera, Udemy, or HubSpot Academy offer courses in digital marketing, social media strategy, SEO, and more. Completing these can give you a strong foundational knowledge and certifications that can enhance your resume.
Google Digital Garage: Offers free courses in digital marketing that are well-regarded in the industry.
4. Participate in Competitions
Marketing Competitions: Look for high school-level marketing or business competitions, such as DECA or Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). These competitions often involve case studies or marketing plans that can give you practical experience.
Creative Contests: Enter contests that involve marketing skills, such as designing a logo, creating a commercial, or developing a promotional campaign.
5. Networking and Mentorship
LinkedIn: Create a LinkedIn profile and start connecting with professionals in the marketing and entertainment industries. You can reach out to alumni from your school who work in marketing or at Disney to ask for advice or informational interviews.
Join Online Communities: Participate in online forums, LinkedIn groups, or Reddit communities focused on marketing. Engaging with these communities can help you learn from others and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
6. Research and Case Studies
Analyze Successful Campaigns: Study successful marketing campaigns, especially from companies like Disney. Try to understand why they were effective and think about how you could apply similar strategies.
Create Case Studies: Choose a brand or a product and develop your own marketing plan for it. This could include market research, identifying target audiences, and outlining a campaign strategy.
7. Summer Programs or Workshops
Attend Marketing Workshops: Look for summer programs or workshops focused on marketing, even if they are online. Some universities or organizations offer these, and they can provide a great learning experience.
8. Start a Side Business
E-Commerce: Consider starting a small online business. You can create and market your own products, or even sell digital goods like designs or templates. This gives you direct experience with product marketing, sales, and customer service.
By taking these steps, you'll build a strong portfolio of work and practical skills that will make you stand out when applying for internships or college programs in the future. Keep your goal of working for Disney in mind, and try to align your projects and learning experiences with that ambition.
1. Start a Personal Project or Blog
Create a Blog or YouTube Channel: Choose a topic you're passionate about and start creating content. This could be anything from movie reviews (especially Disney films), to marketing tips, to discussing trends in the entertainment industry.
Social Media Marketing: Build and manage social media accounts for your blog, showcasing your ability to grow an audience and engage with followers. This will give you hands-on experience with content creation, SEO, and social media marketing.
2. Freelance or Volunteer
Freelance: Offer your marketing services to local businesses, non-profits, or family friends. You can help them with social media management, content creation, or even basic graphic design. This could be done through platforms like Fiverr or Upwork, where you can start with small tasks.
Volunteer for School Clubs: Get involved with marketing or publicity efforts for school clubs, sports teams, or events. Help them promote events, manage social media, or design promotional materials.
3. Online Courses and Certifications
Free and Paid Online Courses: Websites like Coursera, Udemy, or HubSpot Academy offer courses in digital marketing, social media strategy, SEO, and more. Completing these can give you a strong foundational knowledge and certifications that can enhance your resume.
Google Digital Garage: Offers free courses in digital marketing that are well-regarded in the industry.
4. Participate in Competitions
Marketing Competitions: Look for high school-level marketing or business competitions, such as DECA or Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). These competitions often involve case studies or marketing plans that can give you practical experience.
Creative Contests: Enter contests that involve marketing skills, such as designing a logo, creating a commercial, or developing a promotional campaign.
5. Networking and Mentorship
LinkedIn: Create a LinkedIn profile and start connecting with professionals in the marketing and entertainment industries. You can reach out to alumni from your school who work in marketing or at Disney to ask for advice or informational interviews.
Join Online Communities: Participate in online forums, LinkedIn groups, or Reddit communities focused on marketing. Engaging with these communities can help you learn from others and stay up-to-date on industry trends.
6. Research and Case Studies
Analyze Successful Campaigns: Study successful marketing campaigns, especially from companies like Disney. Try to understand why they were effective and think about how you could apply similar strategies.
Create Case Studies: Choose a brand or a product and develop your own marketing plan for it. This could include market research, identifying target audiences, and outlining a campaign strategy.
7. Summer Programs or Workshops
Attend Marketing Workshops: Look for summer programs or workshops focused on marketing, even if they are online. Some universities or organizations offer these, and they can provide a great learning experience.
8. Start a Side Business
E-Commerce: Consider starting a small online business. You can create and market your own products, or even sell digital goods like designs or templates. This gives you direct experience with product marketing, sales, and customer service.
By taking these steps, you'll build a strong portfolio of work and practical skills that will make you stand out when applying for internships or college programs in the future. Keep your goal of working for Disney in mind, and try to align your projects and learning experiences with that ambition.