Public Relations Specialist Internships

Public relations specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience managing media outreach and brand messaging, mentorship from working public relations specialists, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Healthcare & Medical Services and Consulting & Professional Services, with UPS, VSC, and Meyocks among the employers posting roles now.

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Overview

Open roles21
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerUPS
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Work type44% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 21+ Public Relations Specialist Internships

Town of Davie, FL
College Intern (Part-Time) - Public Relations
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Town of Davie, FL
Added 2d ago
College Intern (Part-Time) - Public Relations
Town of Davie, FL
Davie, Florida
Customer Service
Customer Support
Military encouraged

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The Lipstickroyalty Agency
Public Relations Intern
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The Lipstickroyalty Agency
Added 2d ago
Public Relations Intern
The Lipstickroyalty Agency
Miami, Florida
Business Analysis
Business Strategy
Consulting & Professional Services
$14 - $17/hr
Hybrid

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TARA Ink
Public Relations Intern: Art Basel / Fall-Winter Semester
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TARA Ink
Added 3d ago
Public Relations Intern: Art Basel / Fall-Winter Semester
TARA Ink
Miami Beach, Florida
Account Management
Customer Success
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
$15 - $16/hr
Hybrid

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Krupp Group
Beauty Public Relations Intern
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Krupp Group
Added 4d ago
Beauty Public Relations Intern
Krupp Group
New York, New York
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
On-Site

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S
Public Relations and Marketing Internship
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S
Added 4d ago
Public Relations and Marketing Internship
SixTen PR
Los Angeles, California
Brand Marketing
Growth Marketing
Marketing
On-Site

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Public Relations Specialist Internship Market

Who's Hiring

UPS
UPS1 open role
VSC
VSC1 open role
Meyocks
Meyocks1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Consulting & Professional Services

Tips for Your Public Relations Specialist Internship Search

Apply in the fall for summer internships

Large agencies and corporate communications teams open summer intern applications as early as September or October. Waiting until spring means competing for a smaller pool of remaining spots. Smaller firms and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so checking listings consistently throughout the year catches both cycles.

Build a writing portfolio before you apply

Hiring managers for public relations specialist interns look for proof you can write and pitch, not a long work history. Collect press releases, pitch letters, op-eds, media alerts, or campaign recaps you've produced in class or on your own. Link to or attach these samples directly so recruiters can assess your work without asking.

Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time

Campus career fairs surface structured agency and corporate programs tied to university recruiting partnerships, and your professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller intern cohorts alongside campus activity reaches employers who never attend fairs.

Practice your PR interview format before your first application

Public relations specialist intern screens typically include a writing exercise, a media pitch simulation, or a scenario question about managing a brand issue. Practice delivering your answers out loud and explaining your reasoning, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as the final answer you give.

Target structured agency and rotational intern programs early

Larger PR agencies and corporate communications departments run cohort programs designed to train candidates new to the field, rotating interns across media relations, content, and strategy. These programs recruit early and fill quickly, so identify the ones aligned with your focus area and get your application in during the first wave of openings.

Set your work-type filter before you start searching

On-site roles are 44% of the public relations specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start reviewing listings, then filter by location and work type so you spend your time on roles you can actually take.

Public Relations Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a public relations specialist internship?

Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio with writing samples, press releases, pitch letters, or campaign case studies gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where PR recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.

Can a public relations specialist internship turn into a full-time job?

Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for public relations specialist interns is performance on real client work, available headcount on the team, and whether you've made your interest known before the offer window closes. Treat each project as an audition without counting on a specific outcome.

When should I apply for public relations specialist internships?

Earlier than most candidates expect. Large agencies and corporations recruit summer interns the preceding fall, so applications open months before the start date. Smaller firms and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, which means openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly puts you ahead of candidates who wait for a single hiring season.

Are public relations specialist internships paid?

Most professional public relations specialist internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show pay where the employer chooses to disclose it. Larger agencies and corporate communications teams typically offer structured stipends or hourly rates, while some nonprofit and government internships remain unpaid.

What should a public relations specialist internship resume include?

Lead with projects, not work history. List two or three documented projects showing what you did, the tools and channels used, and where to see the work, whether that's published articles, press releases, social media campaigns, or pitch decks. Add relevant coursework in communications, media writing, or marketing. Keep the whole resume to one page.

Are there remote public relations specialist internships?

Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 56% of the public relations specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply as soon as roles open and filter by work type to see them without sorting through every listing.

What is a public relations agency internship program?

Many mid-size and large PR agencies run structured intern cohorts that rotate new candidates through practice areas such as media relations, crisis communications, and digital strategy. These programs are built to train people new to the field, recruit early in the fall semester for summer cohorts, and are competitive because applicants nationwide apply. Identify the programs that fit your focus and apply in the first wave.

Can international students get public relations specialist 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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