Intern, Marketing & Communications-Chicago, IL Area

American Heart Association, Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 29,000 - 34,000; Part time

Job summary

American Heart Association in Chicago offers a Marketing Communications internship with a 20-hour workweek. You will assist in developing news releases, social media content, and promotional materials for campaigns and events, collaborating with the Chicago team and national center.

The role requires seniors or graduate students in journalism, communications, PR, or marketing, strong written and verbal communication, and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Qualifications

• Candidates who are seniors or graduate students pursuing a degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or marketing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated skills in effective one-on-one and group communications with all levels of leaders, volunteers, staff.
• Experience managing or creating content for social media platforms.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Minimum availability of 20 hrs/wk, M-F 9am-5pm.
• Must be available to work in the Chicago office on Tuesdays.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of news releases and press materials.
• Draft a wide variety of Marketing Communications materials to promote campaigns, events and programs.
• Collaborate with the marketing communications lead to plan and execute earned/paid media strategies.
• Provide ideas to support strategic marketing and public relations.
• Research potential media collaborators and opportunities to advance priorities.
• Assist in preparing media coverage reports and sourcing clips for dashboards.
• Support creation of campaign reports and recaps.
• Create social media content for Chicago platforms.
• Support fundraising events through communications, content capture, and AV support.
• Work with development and community impact teams to streamline survivor Storybank.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Social media content

MS Word

Education

Pursuing degree in journalism/communications/PR/marketing

Tools

MS Word

Excel

Outlook

PowerPoint

Canva

Job description

Overview

Since our founding in 1924, we've cut cardiovascular disease deaths in half, but there is still so much more to do. To overcome today’s biggest health challenges and accelerate this progress, we need passionate individuals like you. Join our movement, be part of the progress, and help ensure a healthier future for all. You matter, and so does the impact you can make with us.The American Heart Association’s Internship Program provides college students an opportunity for hands‑on experience in various facets for individuals interested in gaining work experience with a non‑profit, voluntary health organization.

In this role, the intern has opportunities to learn hands‑on how the Marketing Communications lead promotes the Association’s campaigns, research, programs, and cause initiatives to achieve heart health for all. The internship will provide an opportunity to collaborate with teams across the Marketing and Communications, the Chicago Team, and throughout the American Heart Association.

The Association offers many resources to help you maintain work‑life harmonization through your changing needs and life situations. To help you be successful, you will have access to Heart U, our award‑winning corporate university, as well as training and support locally and through our National Center.#TheAHALife is more than a company culture; it is our way of life. It embodies our commitment to work‑life harmonization and is guided by our core values where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally. Discover why you will Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Valued at the American Heart Association by following us onLinkedIn,Instagram,Facebook,X, and atheart.jobs.

Internship Overview:

Time Commitment: 20 hours per week

Internship Duration: 1/25/27 – 5/7/27

Must be available to work these event dates:

Chicago Go Red for Women Luncheon: Friday, February 13 9AM-1PM

Chicago Heart Ball: Friday, April 16 4PM-10PM

Location: Hybrid located in Chicago, IL or the immediate surrounding area

Salary: $23.00 per hour

Internship Outcomes:

Individuals participating in the internship program are provided with an opportunity to:

• Gain important and practical job skills to be successful in a non‑profit environment.
• Opportunity to explore a career‑path with a reputable voluntary health/service organization.
• Complete an internship that enriches your academic and professional resume as well as enriching your personal life by making a difference in the lives of others.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of news releases and press materials.
• Assist in drafting a wide variety of Marketing Communications materials to promote campaigns, events and programs (e.g., resource links, internal tools, photos, or other multimedia, etc.).
• Responsible for collaborating and assisting the marketing communications lead in planning and executing the marketing and communications efforts to promote via earned media or paid media strategies, programs, campaigns and initiatives.
• Provide ideas to support strategic marketing, public relations, and corporate communications.
• Research potential media collaborators, influencers, and opportunities to advance the Association’s priorities.
• Assist in preparing media coverage reports by tracking top media placements and sourcing clips and hyperlinks for media dashboards and campaign reports.
• Supporting the team on the creation of campaign reports and recaps.
• Assist in creating social media content for Chicago social media platforms.
• Work closely to support Chicago fundraising events through communications efforts including content capturing and creation, stage management at events, speaker coordination, AV assistance.
• Work with our development and community impact teams to streamline a survivor Storybank with current, past, and prospective survivors.

Qualifications

• Candidates who are seniors or graduate students pursuing a degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or marketing.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated skills in effective one‑on‑one and group communications and comfortable with working with all levels of community leaders, volunteers, and staff.
• Experience managing or creating content for social media platforms.
• Ability to deal professionally in a corporate or non‑profit environment and assume responsibility for guiding projects and programs from inception through completion.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, dynamic environment managing multiple priorities involving multiple entities.
• Intermediate to excellent proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and Canva.
• Required Equipment: Reliable Wi‑Fi connection and reliable transportation.
• Minimum availability of 20 hrs/wk, M-F between the hours of 9am-5pm.
• Must be available to work in the Chicago American Heart Association office on Tuesdays.
• Must be available to work these event dates:
  • Chicago Go Red for Women Luncheon: Friday, February 13 9AM-1PM
  • Chicago Heart Ball: Friday, April 16 4PM-10PM
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship, now or in the future. For any roles working remotely, the work must also be performed inside the United States, not in a foreign country.

Compensation & Benefits

The job application window is expected to close: October 23, 2026.

The American Heart Association invests in its people. Visit Rewards & Benefits to see more details.

• Compensation and Performance – Attracting talented, committed interns means offering competitive compensation, ongoing professional development and training, and an environment in which to work and grow. And we do.
• Professional Development – You can join one of our many Employee Resource Groups (ERG) or be a mentor/mentee in our professional mentoring program. Heart U is the Association’s national online university, with more than 100,000 resources designed to meet your needs and busy schedule.
• Healthcare Benefits – You will have the opportunity to participate in our Teladoc General Medical and Behavioral Health programs. We also provide access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at no cost as a confidential program designed to assist employees and family members with personal issues that affect their relationships at home or at work.

The American Heart Association’s 2028 Goal: Building on over 100 years of trusted leadership in cardiovascular and brain health, by 2028 the Association will drive breakthroughs and implement proven solutions in science, policy, and care for healthier people and communities. The greatest discoveries in health must reach everyone where they are.

At American Heart Association | American Stroke Association, our mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, religion, age, language, sexual orientation, national origin and physical or cognitive abilities.

In accordance with local and state laws where applicable, qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment.

EOE/Protected Veterans/Persons with Disabilities

#AHAWAYUP, #LI-Hybrid