Question

Topic: Career/Training

Entry-level: Learn Software, Internship, Portfolio

Posted by E.M. on 11/8/2025 at 9:03 PM ET 125 Points
I am a retired marketer but have a younger relative (college age) trying to break into the field. I’m wondering if anyone can give insider advice? I’m too far removed to know the latest best practices :/

(1) INTERNSHIP — What is the best way for a college student to obtain a summer internship? Years ago, the internships were unpaid and easy to get (unlike a full-time job), and networking was key. These days, the internships seem to be paid and my younger relative is mostly answering ads. Should they just be networking with marketing professionals/executives and continuing to circle back?

(2) PORTFOLIO – Does anyone put together portfolios anymore? What software is used? If not, does it make sense to send (or bring to the interview) a few samples of writing and/or pieces designed? I’m trying to think of ways for the intern/job applicant to stand out.

(3) HOW TO STAND OUT IN APPLYING – How does one stand out when answering internship/job ads? Again, does it make more sense to just network and keep circling back to see who is hiring?

(4) BEST SOFTWARE TO LEARN – Back in my generation, it was helpful to know Salesforce, Marketo, etc. when applying to jobs. It looks like Salesforce is still important but Marketo is not as popular these days. Are there any software programs/applications this young marketer should learn – Salesforce? Canva? Other marketing software?

(5) IN PERSON – Do any of the jobs tend to be in person vs. remote? My gen-x relatives are starting to say that Remote can be de-motivating, lonely, and you don’t learn as much from other people — which I agree with.

Thanks so much for any advice you can give! It is so appreciated!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by chrisseo49 on 11/18/2025 at 3:35 AM Member
    Hi E.M.,

    I’m early in my marketing career myself, so I totally understand what your relative is going through. Here’s what has helped me, and what I wish I knew sooner:

    Internship Search

    LinkedIn was huge for me — not for applying, but for connecting with people who were already in the roles I wanted. A few short conversations led to opportunities I never would’ve found on job boards. Encouraging them to talk to people rather than just apply everywhere will save a lot of frustration.

    Building a Portfolio

    I didn’t have “real” projects at first either, so I created sample campaigns and wrote short pieces about brands I liked. That was enough to get interviews.
    A simple Google Drive folder or Canva website works — it doesn’t need to be fancy at all.

    Learning Tools

    What helped me stand out were:

    Canva

    HubSpot Academy tutorials

    Google Analytics basics

    Google Sheets (seriously, it’s used everywhere)

    As long as they show they’re learning, it makes a strong impression.

    Standing Out

    What worked for me:

    Personalizing each application

    Sharing a portfolio link every time

    Messaging someone from the team to show genuine interest

    It’s scary at first, but it works.

    Remote / In-Person

    I started remote, and it was fine — but I learned more once I had a hybrid role. Both can work if they’re open to learning.

    Hope this helps! Happy to share more from the perspective of someone who’s just been through it.
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