Marketing is creative, data-driven, and high-impact. Learn how to break into this exciting field with the right internship.
Digital Marketing
SEO, SEM, paid ads, performance marketing
Content Marketing
Blogs, videos, podcasts, thought leadership
Social Media
Platform management, community, influencers
Product Marketing
Positioning, launches, GTM strategy
CRED, Meesho, BoAt, Mamaearth, Lenskart, Nykaa, Sugar Cosmetics
Dentsu, Ogilvy, Leo Burnett, The Glitch, FoxyMoron, Schbang
Google, Meta, Amazon, Flipkart (marketing roles)
Is an MBA required for marketing?
Not for internships or entry-level roles. Skills and portfolio matter more. MBA can help for senior roles.
Which is better: agency or in-house?
Agencies: variety, fast-paced, diverse clients. In-house: depth, ownership, product focus. Both are valuable.
Run paid campaigns on Google, Meta, YouTube. Data-heavy role focused on ROI, CAC, and LTV metrics.
Create valuable content that attracts and retains customers. Includes blogs, videos, podcasts, and thought leadership.
Manage brand presence across platforms. Create engaging content, build community, and drive engagement.
Position products, craft messaging, and drive launches. Bridge between product, sales, and marketing teams.
| Company Type | Stipend Range | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| D2C Brands (Funded) | ₹25K-50K/month | 3-6 months |
| Top Agencies | ₹15K-35K/month | 3-6 months |
| Tech Companies | ₹30K-60K/month | 2-4 months |
| FMCG Companies | ₹20K-40K/month | 2-3 months |
| Boutique Agencies | ₹10K-20K/month | 2-3 months |
| Early-stage Startups | ₹8K-20K/month | Variable |
| Tool | Use Case | Learn Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Google Analytics | Website traffic analysis | Must Learn |
| Canva | Quick graphic design | Must Learn |
| Meta Business Suite | Facebook/Instagram ads | Must Learn |
| Semrush/Ahrefs | SEO analysis | Good to Have |
| Mailchimp | Email marketing | Good to Have |
| Hootsuite/Buffer | Social scheduling | Nice to Have |
Here's how to approach a typical marketing case study in interviews:
College students interested in fitness. Budget-conscious but willing to spend on health. Active on Instagram/YouTube.
"Affordable, tasty protein for the college fitness journey" Differentiate from premium brands on price and relatability.
Instagram Reels, YouTube shorts with fitness influencers, college ambassador programs, hostel sampling.
Brand awareness (reach), consideration (engagement, website visits), conversion (first-time purchases), retention (repeat orders).
Both matter. Modern marketing is "creativity + data." Best marketers can write compelling copy AND understand what the numbers mean. Start with your strength and build the other.
Absolutely. Many marketing interns come from engineering, commerce, and arts backgrounds. Skills and portfolio matter far more than degree subject.
Start broad to discover what you enjoy, then specialize after 1-2 years. Early specialization in performance marketing or content can accelerate growth if you're sure.
Create your own: start a blog, grow social media accounts, volunteer for local businesses/NGOs, create spec work for brands you admire. Document everything with metrics.
Yes, it's a growing field! You can work at agencies managing influencer campaigns or brand-side selecting and managing creators. Good blend of creativity and relationship management.
Entry-level: ₹4-8 LPA. After 3-5 years: ₹12-25 LPA. Marketing heads at top startups can earn ₹50L+ CTC. Performance marketers with proven ROI grow fastest.
"My meme page led to a marketing career..."
"I ran a meme page with 50K followers in college. Used that as my portfolio and landed a social media internship at BoAt. They loved that I understood engagement and virality." — Ananya, Mumbai
"From blogger to content lead in 3 years..."
"I started a personal finance blog in college. Got 10K monthly readers. This became my ticket to a content marketing internship at a fintech. Now I lead the content team at 25." — Rohit, CRED
"Google certifications opened doors..."
"From a tier-3 college with no marketing background. Completed Google, HubSpot, and Meta certifications. Got an agency internship and now working at a D2C brand with 2x my initial offer." — Priya, Bengaluru
Week 1: Learn the Basics
Complete Google Digital Garage certification. Set up Google Analytics on a practice site or blog.
Week 2: Build Portfolio Project
Start a blog or grow a social media account. Pick a niche you're passionate about. Document everything.
Week 3: Learn Tools & Apply
Master Canva for graphics. Learn Meta Business Suite basics. Practice writing different ad copy formats.
Week 4: Practice & Apply
Practice marketing case studies. Update resume with metrics. Start applying to internships daily.
Check Campaign Metrics
Review overnight performance of ads, social posts, and email campaigns. Note what's working.
Team Standup
Quick sync with team on priorities, blockers, and updates. This is where you learn campaign strategy.
Content Creation
Write social posts, design graphics in Canva, or draft blog content. The creative work happens here.
Campaign Setup
Set up ads in Meta Business Suite, schedule posts, or configure email automation. Technical + creative combo.
Analysis & Reporting
Pull reports, analyze data, and prepare insights for team. Understanding numbers is key to growth.
Trend Research
Check what's trending on social media, competitor campaigns, and industry news. Stay ahead of the curve.
"Walk me through a campaign you've worked on"
Structure: Context → Objective → Strategy → Execution → Results. Use specific numbers whenever possible.
"How would you increase engagement on our Instagram?"
First, research their current content. Suggest specific content formats (Reels, carousels, stories), posting times, and engagement tactics. Show you've done homework.
"What marketing campaigns have inspired you recently?"
Have 2-3 examples ready. Explain WHY they worked: the insight, the creative, the channel strategy, and the results.
"How do you stay updated on marketing trends?"
Mention specific sources: newsletters (Marketing Brew, The Hustle), podcasts (Marketing Over Coffee), Twitter accounts, and industry blogs.
Marketing rewards creativity, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment. Start creating, measuring, and learning.
The best part about marketing? Your personal projects—blogs, social media, side hustles—all count as experience. Start marketing something today, even if it's just yourself.
The best marketers treat their own career like a marketing campaign. Start marketing yourself today. 📣
Written by Sproutern Career Team
Based on insights from marketing leaders across India.
Regularly updated
