Communications & Marketing Intern

AEP; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Job summary

American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio is seeking a Summer Internship in Corporate Communications/Marketing for Summer 2027. You’ll gain hands-on experience alongside experienced pros, contribute to writing news releases, marketing copy, and internal communications, and learn about the energy industry through real projects.

The 10–12 week paid program offers mentorship, opportunities to attend site visits, and exposure to employee engagement and brand storytelling, with daily tasks that build

Qualifications

• Sophomore year of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, business, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations or a related field by Summer 2027
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Strong writing and organizational skills, attention to detail
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; experience with Canva and Adobe programs is a plus
• Familiarity with AP Style.

Responsibilities

• Write news releases and develop talking points for external stakeholders
• Draft internal communications and emails to employees
• Create content for social media and digital channels
• Develop web copy for corporate sites
• Collaborate with Creative Services to produce ads, videos and posters
• Support with corporate events and special projects

Skills

Writing skills

Organizational skills

MS Office proficiency

AP Style familiarity

Canva

Adobe programs

Education

Sophomore year of undergraduate studies by Summer 2027

Minimum 3.0 GPA

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Canva

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Summary

Summer Internship Program at American Electric Power

Each summer, American Electric Power welcomes the brightest and most driven college students to join our 10-to-12-week paid internship program.

Why Join Us?

This is your chance to embark on an exciting journey where you can make a real impact from day one! You’ll learn directly from industry leaders, collaborate with a dynamic team, and engage in mentorship opportunities while working on individual projects that showcase your unique talents.

We’re dedicated to your growth, offering comprehensive training and development programs tailored to enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of the electric utility industry.

Prepare for a challenging yet rewarding experience - you’ll contribute to meaningful projects while accelerating both your personal and professional development. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to kickstart your career with us!

Job Description

Corporate Communications/Marketing Communications Intern Position Summary

You’re a hardworking student who wants to gain hands‑on experience outside the classroom alongside experienced communications pros. You’re also passionate about blending your creativity and writing skills to bring stories to life. It’s an exciting time in the energy industry as American Electric Power builds the grid of the future to support once‑in‑a‑generation growth. Are you ready to join us on this journey and use your talents to help share our story?

AEP is seeking a full‑time, paid Communications & Marketing intern for its corporate headquarters in Columbus, Ohio for Summer 2027. As an intern, you’ll see what it’s like to work for a Fortune 200 energy company and use your skills to engage employees, create stronger customer relationships and drive business strategy. You’ll be treated as a professional with important assignments like writing news releases, distributing critical messages to AEP’s nearly 16,000 employees, writing marketing copy and developing creative ideas that showcase our brand and story. You’ll also learn more about the energy industry through hands‑on experiences, like site visits at a power plant or line worker training school and attending photo shoots in the field.

The summer internship lasts 10-12 weeks, depending on your college schedule.

What Your Day May Look Like

You’ll have the opportunity to tackle a variety of projects covering internal, external and/or marketing communications. You’ll work with seasoned communications professionals who will provide support and guidance throughout your journey.

A typical day as an intern on our team may involve:

• Supporting other internal departments with communications needs, such as writing feature news articles for the intranet and AEP.com, hosting and recording podcasts and drafting company‑wide emails to employees

• Writing news releases and developing talking points to communicate with external stakeholders; supporting executive communications

• Creating content for social media

• Drafting web copy for our corporate and operating company websites

• Writing headlines, ad copy and scripts, and working hand‑in‑hand with the Creative Services team to bring ads, videos, posters and other presentations to life

• Assisting with corporate events and special projects

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of a sophomore year of a bachelor’s degree in journalism, business, marketing, advertising, communications, public relations or a related field by Summer 2027

• Minimum 3.0 GPA

• Strong writing and organizational skills, attention to detail

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite; experience with Canva and Adobe programs is a plus

• Familiarity with AP Style.

Prior internship experience is a plus, but not required

Where You’ll Work:

Our internship is located onsite in Columbus, Ohio.

Columbus is a vibrant city with plenty of exciting experiences and attractions! Some highlights are listed below - including nearby areas like Dublin, Easton, Polaris, and Westerville:

• Cultural Scene: Explore the diverse arts and cultural attractions, including the Columbus Museum of Art, the Wexner Center for the Arts, Bridge Park in Dublin and the Short North Arts District, known for its galleries, boutiques, and vibrant nightlife.
• Parks and Recreation: Enjoy the great outdoors at one of the many parks, such as the Scioto Mile, featuring beautiful riverfront views, walking trails, and the stunning Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
• Food and Dining: Experience a thriving food scene with a wide range of dining options, from food trucks to fine dining. Don’t miss the North Market and unique eateries in the German Village!
• Shopping and Entertainment: Head to Easton Town Center or Polaris Fashion Mall for premier shopping experiences, both destinations feature an array of shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.
• Sports and Recreation: Cheer on the Columbus Clippers (minor league baseball), Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL) or Columbus Crew (MLS) and enjoy various sporting events throughout the summer, or catch a concert at the iconic Nationwide Arena.
• Festivals and Events: Columbus hosts a variety of summer festivals, including the Greek Festival, ComFest, the Columbus Asian Festival, Juneteenth on the Ave, the Ohio State Fair, the Columbus Zoo Lantern Festival, and the Dublin Irish Festival, where you can enjoy live music, local food, and cultural activities – to name just a few of the many that take place!

What You’ll Get:

• Communications & Marketing Intern: Pay is commensurate with education hours.
  • Minimum: $22.00/HR
  • Mid-Point: $26.00/HR

Duration:

• 10 - 12 weeks

Physical Demands

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

“AEP offers an outstanding group of people to be a part of. The AEP culture values your integrity and awards your hard work.”

Summer Internship Program at American Electric Power

Each summer, American Electric Power welcomes the brightest and most driven college students to join our 10-to-12-week paid internship program.

Why Join Us?

This is your chance to embark on an exciting journey where you can make a real impact from day one! You’ll learn directly from industry leaders, collaborate with a dynamic team, and engage in mentorship opportunities while working on individual projects that showcase your unique talents. We’re dedicated to your growth, offering comprehensive training and development programs tailored to enhance your skills and deepen your understanding of the electric utility industry.

Prepare for a challenging yet rewarding experience - you’ll contribute to meaningful projects while accelerating both your personal and professional development. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to kickstart your career!

Summer Internship Program at American Electric Power

Each summer, American Electric Power welcomes the brightest and most driven college students to join our 10 to 12-week paid internship program. Why Join Us? This is your chance to embark on an exciting journey where you can make a real impact from day one. You'll learn directly from industry leaders, collaborate with a dynamic team, and engage in mentorship opportunities while working on meaningful projects that support AEP's mission to power the communities we serve.

Each summer, American Electric Power welcomes the brightest and most driven college students to join our 10-to-12-week paid internship program.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.