Public Relations Internships
Public relations internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working directly with campaigns and media strategy, mentorship from working PR practitioners, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings today concentrate in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with VSC, Baird, and ArtsQuest among the employers posting roles now.
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An international fashion and lifestyle boutique communications agency based in Los Angeles (Hollywood Hills) is seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented and resourceful intern to join our team.
This is an internship eligible for school credit and is ideal for students looking for hands-on experience in fashion, beauty, wellness and lifestyle PR, celebrity and influencer relations and brand building.
We are looking for Fall and Winter interns who can commit to a minimum of 3 months, 2–3 days per week from 10AM–5PM. This is primarily an in-person position in Los Angeles, with some tasks completed remotely.
Please note: Applicants MUST have a reliable car and be comfortable driving locally for occasional sample pickups, drop-offs and showroom-related errands.
We are looking for someone who is extremely organized, dependable and able to follow instructions carefully. This is a fast-paced environment where details matter. The ideal candidate takes notes, retains information, asks questions when needed and can complete tasks accurately without needing repeated direction.
Responsibilities
- Assist with sample pulls, pickups and returns for celebrity stylists, editors and influencer requests
- Prepare and organize samples for fittings, press opportunities and showroom appointments
- Track and compile media placements across online, print and social platforms
- Monitor magazine credits and manage press clippings
- Support social media and content creation
- Maintain and update media, stylist and influencer databases
- Keep the showroom, samples and product archives organized
- Assist with occasional local pickups and drop-offs
- Provide general support to the CEO and Showroom Manager with daily operations
Requirements
- Must be based in Los Angeles
- Must have a reliable car, valid driver’s license and reliable transportation
- Must be organized and able to follow detailed instructions
- Strong attention to detail and follow-through
- Dependable, punctual and responsive
- Able to take direction, retain information and work independently once a task has been explained
- Comfortable multitasking and prioritizing in a fast-paced PR environment
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with fashion, beauty, lifestyle media, celebrity stylists and the influencer landscape is a plus
- Positive, proactive attitude and willingness to jump in wherever needed
This internship is best suited for someone who wants to learn the day-to-day realities of working in fashion and lifestyle PR, not just social media. You will gain direct experience with celebrity stylist requests, influencer relations, showroom management, product placement, press tracking and client support.
To apply:
Please send your resume, current school/program, availability, days you are available each week, phone number and email address. Please also confirm in your application that you have access to a reliable car.
Job Types: Internship, Part-time
Schedule: 2–3 days per week, approximately 10AM–5PM
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Work Location: Primarily in person
Job Types: Internship, Part-time
Pay: Up to $20.00 per day
Work Location: In person
Public Relations Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Public Relations Internship Search
Apply for summer roles the preceding fall
Large agencies and corporate communications teams open summer intern applications as early as September. If you wait until spring, the most structured programs are already closed. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check back regularly even after the main recruiting season passes.
Build a writing portfolio before you apply
PR intern screens are portfolio screens. Assemble two or three documented projects, a press release, a media pitch, a campaign brief, or a crisis communications case study, and make them accessible via a personal site or shared folder. Recruiters need something concrete to assess your writing and strategic thinking before an interview.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and your professor or career center advisor often knows which agencies recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, combining both channels reaches programs that never post to general job listings.
Practice pitching out loud before your interview
PR intern interviews typically include a writing exercise, a media pitch scenario, or a campaign brief critique. Practice your responses out loud, explaining your editorial and strategic reasoning as you go, interviewers weigh how you frame a story and defend a recommendation as much as the final answer itself.
Target structured agency and corporate cohort programs
Large agencies and major brand communications teams run named intern cohorts designed to train people new to the field. These programs recruit early, move on set timelines, and frequently convert to full-time associate roles. Identify the cohort programs that match your interests and submit in the first application window, late applications rarely advance.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 30% of the public relations internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you begin reviewing listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you're only spending time on roles you can actually accept.
Public Relations Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a public relations internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio of writing samples, press releases, pitch letters, or campaign case studies gives recruiters something concrete to assess your skills. Apply directly to companies you want to work for and attend campus career fairs, where PR recruiters often move faster with students they meet in person.
Can a public relations internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is your performance on real deliverables, whether the team has approved headcount, and the timing of return-offer decisions at that company. Treat every project as a work sample, ask your manager about return-offer timelines early, and stay open to other opportunities so you're not counting on one outcome.
When should I apply for public relations internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large agencies and corporate communications teams recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller companies, nonprofits, and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check regularly rather than waiting for a single recruiting season.
Are public relations internships paid?
Most professional public relations internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Listings show pay where the employer discloses it, so you can compare opportunities before applying. Unpaid arrangements exist primarily at smaller nonprofits and some academic or government offices, often structured around academic credit.
What should a public relations internship resume include?
Lead with projects rather than work history. Document two or three completed projects, a press release, a media pitch campaign, a crisis communications case study, or a social media content plan, noting the tools used and linking to the work where possible. Add relevant coursework in communications, journalism, or marketing. Keep the whole resume to one page.
Are there remote public relations internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 70% of the public relations internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early once you find a role that fits. Filter by work type at the start of your search so you're only reviewing positions you can actually take.
What is a public relations agency internship program?
Many mid-size and large PR agencies run structured summer internship cohorts, often called associate or trainee programs, designed specifically for students new to agency work. These programs rotate interns across practice areas such as media relations, social strategy, and crisis communications. They recruit early, fill fast, and often serve as the primary pipeline for entry-level associate hires, so apply in the first application wave.
Can international students get public relations internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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