10 Mar What Majors Do Employers Prefer for Marketing and Advertising Internships?
When it comes to landing a coveted marketing or advertising internship, your major can make a big difference.
Whether you’re eyeing a summer marketing internship, a remote marketing internship, or even a marketing internship in Tokyo or Bangkok, the major you choose can dictate whether you’re the first pick for recruiters—or just another resume in the pile.
But here’s the truth, there’s no single “perfect” major for these roles. Employers are looking for diverse skill sets, and different majors bring something unique to the table.
Before we get into what employers prefer, let’s think about what makes a marketing intern truly stand out. Beyond a love for creative projects and a knack for problem-solving, it’s all about the blend of applicable skills.
And that’s where your major can play a key part. In this post, we’ll break down exactly what you need to know to find the academic path that aligns with the industry you’re excited to step into.
Majors That Catch Employers’ Attention
Here’s the good news—there’s more than one way to the same destination! While majors like marketing and advertising may seem like the most natural fit, other fields of study are becoming equally desirable in the hiring process.
Whether you’re applying for a marketing internship in Thailand or a marketing and business development internship in Spain, here are some majors that are sure to make a strong first impression:
Marketing Majors – The Obvious but Strong Choice
If you’re studying marketing, you already have a leg up. This major directly equips you with the foundational knowledge many marketing and advertising internships demand.
From understanding consumer behavior to crafting effective strategies, marketing programs typically mirror the real-world challenges you’ll face as a marketing intern.
Employers tend to favor marketing majors if they’re looking for someone who can jump right into value-added tasks, such as campaign planning or data-driven analysis.
That said, don’t assume having “marketing” listed under your major on your transcript is enough. For internships in advertising and marketing, hands-on experience (like working on class projects or leading student organizations) can really help to seal the deal during interviews.
Business Majors – A Versatile Crowd Pleaser
Here’s where things open up. While not specific to marketing, business majors often have great success in landing marketing and business development internships.
Why? The framework of a business major teaches critical thinking, data interpretation, and decision-making—skills every marketer needs.
Specializing in areas like finance or management may not sound like the obvious choice for advertising roles, but the truth is employers love a candidate with a broad understanding of business operations.
Plus, if you’re also minoring in marketing or communications, you’re suddenly a hybrid candidate with a lot to offer.
Communications Majors – The Master Storytellers
Marketing is all about storytelling, which is why majoring in communications is an excellent way to break into the field.
Communications majors tend to excel in creating compelling narratives, presenting ideas clearly, and developing strong interpersonal connections—all key components for someone eyeing a marketing internship in Bangkok or aiming for a role with a small tech startup.
Interns with a background in communications often thrive in copywriting, social media management, and public relations—a huge advantage for employers looking to boost their digital presence. Just make sure you supplement with basic analytics knowledge to cover the key metrics marketers always need to measure.
Psychology Majors – The Unexpected Powerhouse
This might come as a shocker, but psychology majors bring serious advantage to marketing and advertising internships. Marketing often revolves around understanding how people think, what motivates them, and how decisions are made—all core elements of your psych coursework.
Interns with a psychology background usually stand out in roles related to customer experience, market research, and even innovative niches like neuromarketing.
If you want to impress during the interview, highlight how you can use your psych expertise to predict consumer behavior and explore creative strategies that drive customer engagement.
Data Science & Mathematics Majors – The Analytics Experts
Welcome to the era of data-driven marketing. Tracking digital ad performance, analyzing campaign ROI, and optimizing email conversion rates are only possible if marketing teams understand the numbers behind them. If you’re into data science or have a math background, internships in advertising and marketing might not be on your radar—but perhaps they should be.
Employers absolutely love numbers-savvy interns who aren’t afraid to dig into datasets, predicting trends and optimizing budgets. Roles like advertising optimization or even pharmaceutical marketing internships (where precision is valued) can be a perfect fit.
English and Creative Writing Majors – The Content Wizards
Words move people, and that’s a fact. English and creative writing majors who are skilled at turning ideas into memorable phrases are in demand for roles that require top-notch content creation. Whether it’s blogging, social media strategy, or drafting marketing emails, creative writing students tend to shine in fast-paced, creative environments.
If you’ve got this background, don’t forget to showcase your portfolio when applying—it’s your strongest weapon for proving your value!
Other Notable Majors
While less frequently mentioned, majors like graphic design, economics, public relations, and sociology can position you as a strong candidate, depending on the specifics of the internship role.
No matter what kind of internship in marketing you decide to apply for, the key lies in leveraging your unique perspective and tailoring your applications so recruiters understand exactly how your coursework makes you perfect for their needs.
What Employers Want to See Beyond Your Major
While your major is an important piece of the puzzle, don’t make the mistake of thinking it’s the only factor that employers consider.
What truly sets you apart is your ability to demonstrate a balance of soft skills, technical expertise, and genuine enthusiasm for the role.
- Soft Skills: Communication, teamwork, adaptability, and problem-solving are among the most-cited skills for interns. These are non-negotiable—and will take you far no matter what your major is. 57% of people rate soft skills as actually being more important than technical skills, believe it or not!
- Real-World Experience: Internships are meant to be hands-on, so employers love candidates who can point to leadership roles in clubs, part-time jobs, freelance gigs, or even volunteer opportunities where they’ve worked on real projects.
- Certifications: Want an edge? Consider certifications. Platforms like HubSpot Academy offer free marketing certifications on email marketing, inbound marketing, and more—providing tangible proof of your skills.
- The Right Mindset: Employers often choose candidates who show a willingness to learn, a positive attitude, and creativity. Whether you’re applying at a pharmaceutical company or for a remote marketing internship, demonstrating an innovative approach can tip the scales in your favor.
Kickstart Your Marketing Internship Journey with Us
An internship can boost your career in countless ways, from better preparing you for academic work to increasing your overall confidence.
Now that you know which majors catch recruiters’ eyes, it’s time to put yourself in the running for premium marketing and advertising internships.
Whether you dream of a summer marketing internship with top brands, a marketing internship in Bangkok, or even remote marketing internships, we’ve got you covered.
At Absolute Internship, we connect students like you with global companies, offering unmatched experiences to build your skills and your resume.
Your first step? Apply right here with us. Spots fill fast, so don’t wait—start your application today and land the internship of your dreams!
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