Corporate Reputation Internship - Winter/Spring '27

APCO; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company laptop

Hybrid work environment

Paid internship

Job summary

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full-time, paid internship program in the Corporate Reputation practice. Interns are treated as professional staff, participate in team meetings and actively contribute ideas, and support the overall management and growth of client work and the firm.

The internship may sit in APCO's Raleigh, New York City, or Chicago office, with a hybrid and flexible schedule.

Qualifications

• Recent college graduate or senior in class standing.
• Interest in communications, public relations, or journalism.
• Comfort in a fast-paced environment collaborating with a distributed team.
• Excellent written and oral communication and research skills.
• Entrepreneurial with strong critical thinking abilities.
• Organized and attentive to detail.
• Able to multi-task and approach assignments independently.
• Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Available to work 40 hours per week.
• Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status.

Responsibilities

• Monitor news, policy developments, and social media to identify opportunities and threats affecting clients’ corporate positioning.
• Support corporate reputation strategy by conducting research on industry trends, stakeholder expectations, and reputational risks.
• Assist in developing thought‑leadership content, executive visibility materials, and storytelling assets that reinforce client narratives.
• Contribute to drafting memos, media materials, briefings, and other communications deliverables that support client programs.
• Assist in the development of client proposals.
• Identify and compile lists of media contacts.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Written communication

Oral communication

Research skills

Time management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or current senior

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

APCO is hiring seniors and recent graduates to join our full-time, paid internship program. Our interns will experience on-the-job training in client service as a part of our Corporate Reputation practice. Interns are treated as professional staff, participate in team meetings and actively contribute ideas, and support the overall management and growth of client work and the firm.

Issues and reputation management is at the core of APCO’s mission. Our experts work with clients to navigate complex and rapidly changing environments. We develop strategies that anticipate potential issues and mitigate risks, while also enhancing reputation and building stakeholder trust.

This internship may sit in APCO's Raleigh, New York City, or Chicago office.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor news, policy developments, and social media to help identify opportunities and threats affecting clients’ corporate positioning
• Support corporate reputation strategy by conducting research on industry trends, stakeholder expectations, and reputational risks
• Assist in developing thought‑leadership content, executive visibility materials, and storytelling assets that reinforce client narratives
• Contribute to drafting memos, media materials, briefings, and other communications deliverables that support client programs
• Assist in the development of client proposals
• Identify and compile lists of media contacts
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Recent college graduate or senior in class standing
• A demonstrated interest in communications, public relations, or journalism
• Comfort in a fast-paced environment collaborating with a distributed team
• Excellent written and oral communication and research skills
• Entrepreneurial with strong critical thinking abilities
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Able to multi-task and approach assignments independently
• Strong working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
• Available to work 40 hours per week
• Requires US Work Authorization, unable to consider candidates with CPT/OPT/Post-OPT status

What are the core working hours and will I need to be in an office?

Our interns work 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We are committed to a hybrid and flexible working environment, and there may be days that you wish to work from home and days that we come together so that you get to explore more of our culture and meet other colleagues. You will be provided with a company laptop so that you are able to work from home and in the office easily.

Compensation:

This is a paid internship at a fixed hourly rate of $18.40

When is the closing date for applications?

Applications will close on Friday, October 2nd.

When does the internship commence?

Our program begins on Tuesday, January 12th and ends on Friday, May 21st 2027.

Careers at APCO

Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams who bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, national origin, citizenship, native language, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, religion, age, veteran status, neurodivergence, mental or physical disability, medical history, pregnancy, political belief or affiliation or any other characteristic protected by law.