Creative & Paid Media Internship

Job Description

Here is a detailed, enriched job description for the APCO Internship Program:

APCO Internship Program: Senior & Recent Graduate (Creative & Paid Media)

APCO is inviting seniors and recent college graduates to join their full-time, paid internship program. This program offers an immersive experience within APCO’s in-house creative and paid media teams, which include strategists, designers, video editors, copywriters, animators, creative directors, media buyers, and production coordinators.

APCO’s mission is to build brands, develop creative content, and amplify it with paid media strategies to tell powerful client stories and communicate compelling value propositions. The work is designed to drive awareness, spark interest, and inspire action among key audiences, with results measured against client goals.

Interns will have the opportunity to participate in team meetings, collaborate with art directors and senior designers, develop new skills, and contribute to high-profile brand work.

This role will be based in either the Washington DC or Raleigh office.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist internal teams with multimedia creative projects.
• Provide general production support, including:
  • Photo sourcing and retouching.
  • Incorporating edits to print and digital projects (e.g., one-pagers and social media graphics).
  • Preparing/editing PowerPoint presentations and Word documents.
  • File management and archiving.
• Work closely with creative directors, designers, producers, editors, writers, and project/account staff.
• Monitor issues, news events, and competitor happenings.
• Research topics and issues, and analyze findings.
• Help with social media research and creation of social media content.
• Assist in the development of client proposals.
• Other tasks and projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Recent college graduate or senior in class standing.
• Portfolio that demonstrates expertise in design, typography, composition, and color.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, XD, etc.).
• Team player with excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work against tight deadlines.
• Available to work 40 hours per week, with at least Tuesdays-Thursdays in office.
• Requires US Work Authorization; candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status cannot be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous work in an agency or in-house creative team.
• Knowledge of project management software.
• Knowledge of wireframing, prototyping, HTML/CSS.

Application Requirements

To apply, please submit your resume and portfolio. We are unable to consider candidates who do not link to a design portfolio.

Work Schedule & Hybrid Policy

• Interns are expected to work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• APCO offers a hybrid and flexible working environment.
• Interns have the option to work from home or in the office on Mondays and Fridays.
• All colleagues are required to work from the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
• A company laptop will be provided to facilitate seamless work from both home and office.

Compensation

This is a paid internship at a fixed hourly rate of $17.95.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: Friday, February 27th.
• Program Start Date: Tuesday, June 16th.
• Program End Date: Friday, December 11th, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

APCO is committed to building diverse teams that bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to clients. They embrace differences in experience, viewpoint, and ideas, aiming to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. APCO is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE M/F/V/D) and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of protected characteristics.

About APCO

APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm founded in 1984. It operates as an independent, majority women-owned firm with over 1,200 employees and work spanning 80 markets worldwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO comprises strategic advisers, consultants, and creators who work across borders and functions to address financial, competitive, political, and societal issues.

APCO serves as a trusted partner to leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, and the media in sectors such as health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure, and food & consumer products. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation, and global solutions services. APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests, build their reputation, and strengthen their standing through an integrated approach and diverse talent, fostering connections and winning strategies.