Join our team as a PR Intern or Communications Intern!
By: Rachel Dauer
Feb 5, 2025
Category: What's new
At Piper & Gold, we know we have the power to change our community — and our world — for the better. We show up every day committed to supporting a more just, equitable society through communications.
We produce award-winning public relations work with a belief there’s always room to improve. At P&G, we’re committed to using our skills for good and helping nonprofits, government agencies, associations and small businesses make a difference.
We’re looking to add two interns to our team with an interest in writing, social media and media relations. The Public Relations Intern will work closely with our team to create communications materials across multiple client accounts. The Communications Intern will focus their skillsets on creating content for one of our largest clients Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!), including social media development.
P&G is a boutique agency with elite clients who value our work and time. While we remain committed to our home state of Michigan, P&G is a remote-friendly and hybrid working environment. These positions may work in different formats: fully remote or hybrid. Preference will go to individuals who are looking for a hybrid environment residing in the state of Michigan. For the right candidate, we will consider a permanent remote work arrangement.
We value your time and believe only in paid internships. We’re looking for interns who can work a minimum of 20 hours per week, with the possibility of additional hours depending on interest and work available. The starting rate for our internships is $15 per hour.
At the end of the summer, internship positions will be reassessed based on organizational needs, with the possibility of extensions into the Fall and Winter semesters.
Please note that the initial review of applications will begin on Feb. 19. Applications submitted after that date will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
WHAT DO PIPER & GOLD INTERNS DO?
With so much to learn at P&G, we want to work with you to shape your internship experience to fit your skills and interests. Here are some of the many unique opportunities you may experience at P&G:
- Write. A lot.
- Press releases:
- Draft headlines, leads and body content that grabs media attention.
- Modify press releases and media pitches according to specific target audiences.
- Op-Eds:
- Understand the difference in writing tones and how to determine which to use when writing to influence.
- Additional materials you may learn to write include columns, media features, blog posts, newsletters and more!
- Press releases:
- Social media creation and management
- Draft and revise social media copy for social media platforms (X, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram).
- Monitor and respond to mentions, comments and interactions on social media platforms.
- Schedule social media using Hootsuite and other scheduling platforms.
- Collect and analyze metrics that can be used to influence future content.
- Assist in the creation, design and planning of social media campaigns.
- Additional opportunities you may learn include creating social media graphics using Canva and Adobe Suite, understanding how to ensure social media materials are inclusive to audiences, and video editing.
- Media relations
- Draft email pitches for media.
- Research reporters and outlets to build media lists.
- Draft personalized pitches to publications.
- Collect media mentions and coverage.
- Organize media mentions into a comprehensive database, like Coverage Book and Cision.
- Event planning
- Coordinate media attendance at events.
- Draft event invitations and promotional materials.
- Additional opportunities
- Understand various data collection techniques, including surveys, focus groups and analytics gathering.
- Learn the difference between qualitative and quantitative metrics and how to collect them.
- Develop a baseline understanding of crisis communications, including the types of crises, their unique challenges and how to draft clear, consistent messages tailored to a crisis.
- Create and maintain positive relationships with dozens of client organizations working in Michigan and beyond to effect social change.
- Learn alongside your colleagues through education sessions, webinars, workshops and other professional development opportunities.
- Attend team meetings and client working sessions.
WHO’S GOING TO BE A GOOD FIT?
- A current junior — or experienced and ambitious sophomore — college student is preferred. Please include your expected graduation date in the application materials.
- An exceptional writer with an understanding of AP Style.
- A polished professional ready to engage directly with client contacts.
- A resourceful individual with a growth mindset.
- Someone with a voice and personality that translates to digital content.
- Someone who’s organized and detail-oriented.
- Someone who’s independent, accountable and enthusiastic about sharing new ideas.
- Someone who’s comfortable working in a fast-paced agency environment.
- Bonus points for previous internship experience!
Anticipated start date: May 5, 2025.
Ready to get started? Fill out your application here: https://bit.ly/4axK3Kl
Be sure to submit:
- Your cover letter and resume.
- A link to your portfolio or website, if you have one!
- At least two work samples relevant to the experience we’re looking for.
- These will ideally showcase your writing skills and knowledge of AP style. These may be from previous work experiences or internships, work from an extracurricular activity like a volunteer organization, or a project you completed in your classes.
- Your major and anticipated graduation date.
Please contact Rachel Dauer at rachel@piperandgold.com with any questions.
