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Title: Social Media Intern
Employee Classification: Student Help Regular
Division Name: University Advancement
Department: University Marketing & Communications

Job Summary

As a Social Media Intern, you will help us get the word out about all the great things going on at Illinois State University. You will help with the development and implementation of content that will fulfill our messaging goals. This internship will help hone professional skills such as writing, organization, and teamwork. Additionally, you will get the opportunity to network with professionals throughout campus.

Duties Include
• Schedule and manage content for University flagship social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.
• Collaborate with the Creative Director of Social Media, the Social Media Specialist, and the Associate Director, among others, in creating social media campaigns and content strategies.
• Work with campus partners to create and share new content.
• Track analytics to help drive our content goals.
• Occasionally assist with the creation, execution, and monitoring of paid social media campaigns under staff supervision, including basic budget tracking.
• Support key university campaigns and events by working with campus partners to capture and share timely content (including occasional on-site coverage).

Additional Information

University Marketing and Communications (UMC) at Illinois State University is the University’s in-house marketing agency—a collaborative creative team dedicated to telling the Redbird story to audiences across campus, across the state, and beyond. Our team includes designers, writers, photographers, videographers, social media specialists, and communication strategists who develop compelling content and integrated campaigns that support university priorities, highlight student success, promote events, and strengthen our brand. We produce marketing materials, manage key social channels, and partner with departments across campus to ensure consistent, engaging storytelling that reflects the Redbird spirit. As part of UMC, you’ll gain experience working like a professional creative agency—collaborating on projects, honing your craft, and learning the ins and outs of strategic communication within a large institution.

Student employees are eligible to participate in the University’s 403(b) Plan.  More information can be found here.

Pay Rate

$15.00/hour

Required Qualifications

• Must have strong copywriting, proofreading, and editing skills
• Must have basic photography skills, with the ability to do slight edits to photos, a plus
• Must have knowledge of various social media platforms, preferably with a background in creating content for an organization
• Comfortable appearing on camera and contributing to on-screen video content.
• Strong sense of humor and creativity, with the ability to translate ideas into engaging social media content.
• Demonstrates initiative by bringing forward new ideas and showing the willingness and ability to execute them.
• Must have familiarity with shooting and editing video on a smartphone
• Must be professional, highly motivated, personable, timely, and detail-oriented with excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Must be in good standing with both academic and University conduct at the time of application and throughout employment

Work Hours

10 hours per week. The schedule would be agreed upon by the selected applicant, the Creative Director of Social Media, and the Assistant Director.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
-Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

Fall 2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume, Reference List, and Cover Letter
3 examples of past video work
3 writing samples (social media samples that include social media posts, videos and graphics you've created).

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Applicants must submit a Resume, Cover Letter, Reference List, and three examples of past video work.

Under writing samples, please submit social media samples that include social media posts, videos, and graphics you've created.

Contact Information for Applicants

Julie Mana-ay Perez, Creative Director of Social Media, jmpere5@ilstu.edu 

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In addition, all appointments are contingent upon proof of eligibility for employment at Illinois State University to perform the required duties described above on your scheduled start date. The Immigration and Control Act of 1986, Public Law 99-603, requires all new employees to file an I-9 in person and no later than three days from the beginning of employment. This may be accomplished within the department or through Human Resources. A list of the types of documentation you will be expected to provide is available at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents. Failure to comply with this law will result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University, as your employer, is required by federal law to ensure proper tax withholding from wages and to ensure that the required reporting of employee wages, withholding, and employment taxes is accurate. For this reason, every employee must have a valid Social Security Number registered with the University at the time of employment and/or as soon after as possible, but no later than 45 days from the start date. Failure to comply with this law may result in cancellation of your appointment.

Illinois State University student employees are restricted to no more than 28 hours per week of on-campus employment for all positions held.

International students are restricted by their visa status to no more than 20 hours per week of on-campus employment when the university is in session but may work more when the university is not in session. International students should contact the Office of International Studies and Programs for guidance if they have questions concerning employment restrictions.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.