Media, Marketing and Communications Internships in South Africa

Media, marketing, and communications is one of the more fragmented internship sectors in South Africa — rather than a handful of large, centralised programmes, opportunities are spread across newsrooms, agencies, in-house corporate marketing teams, PR firms, and digital media companies of every size. This makes the sector genuinely accessible to a wide range of candidates, but it also means finding opportunities takes more active searching than industries with large, well-publicised structured intakes.

Types of Internships in This Sector

• Journalism internships — at newspapers, broadcasters, and digital news outlets, usually involving research, writing, and sometimes reporting under supervision
• Marketing internships — in-house at companies of all sizes, or at dedicated marketing and advertising agencies, covering campaign support, content, social media, and sometimes market research
• Public relations and communications internships — at PR agencies or in-house corporate communications teams, involving media relations support, content drafting, and event coordination
• Digital and social media internships — a fast-growing category, often at agencies or brands building out content and social strategy
• Content and copywriting internships — at agencies, publishers, or in-house content teams

Requirements

Requirements vary significantly across this sector, more so than in tightly regulated fields like accounting or banking. Common expectations include:

• A qualification or current study in journalism, communications, marketing, media studies, or a related field — though some employers, particularly smaller agencies, prioritise a strong portfolio over formal qualifications
• A portfolio of relevant work — writing samples, campaign concepts, social media content, or design work, depending on the specific internship
• Strong written communication skills, which matter across almost every role in this sector regardless of specialisation

For a broader look at general internship eligibility, see our guide to internship requirements in South Africa.

Building a Portfolio Without Prior Work Experience

This sector rewards a strong portfolio more than almost any other, and you don’t need paid work experience to build one. Personal blog posts, a social media account you’ve grown or managed, class assignments, freelance writing, or self-directed content projects can all demonstrate genuine skill and initiative. If you’re applying with limited formal experience, our guide on how to get an internship with no experience covers how to present this kind of work effectively.

Is Unpaid Work Common in This Sector?

Unfortunately, yes — unpaid internships are more common in media, journalism, and some smaller agencies than in more heavily regulated or well-funded sectors like banking or government. This isn’t unique to South Africa; it reflects broader industry patterns in media and creative fields globally. Before accepting an unpaid placement, it’s worth reading our guide to paid vs unpaid internships in South Africa, which covers how to assess whether an unpaid arrangement is fair or worth taking on for the experience.

How to Apply

Because this sector is less centralised, a broader search strategy pays off. Beyond general job listing sites, check media houses, agencies, and marketing departments directly, follow industry bodies and publications for internship announcements, and don’t underestimate direct outreach — many media and marketing internships aren’t formally advertised and come from a well-timed, specific email to a small agency or newsroom.

For a full walkthrough of the application process, including CV and cover letter guidance, see our guide on how to apply for an internship. Use our free CV builder to put together a CV that presents your portfolio and relevant experience clearly, and check our guide to internship interview tips before any interview.

Where to Find Opportunities

Browse current media, marketing, and communications internship opportunities on our internships listings page, and check individual media houses, agencies, and corporate marketing teams directly for openings not always listed elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a journalism or marketing degree to get an internship in this sector?

Not always. Many employers, particularly smaller agencies and digital publications, place significant weight on a strong portfolio and demonstrated skill, even without a directly related formal qualification. Larger newsrooms and corporate marketing teams are more likely to expect a relevant degree or diploma.

Are media and marketing internships usually paid?

It varies more in this sector than in others. Larger companies and corporate marketing teams are more likely to pay a stipend, while smaller agencies, publications, and journalism internships specifically are more likely to be unpaid or lower-paid.

How important is a portfolio compared to a CV?

Very important in this sector. A CV establishes your background, but a strong, relevant portfolio is often what actually convinces an employer you can do the work — prioritise building one alongside your CV rather than treating it as optional.