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Ohio State Fair PR & Marketing Internship Program

The application period for the 2024 Ohio State Fair has closed. Please check this page for more information about applying for the 2025 Ohio State Fair PR & marketing internships this winter.

Each year, the Ohio State Fair recruits college students for paid public relations internships, during which you can also receive college credit. Interns will be challenged to excel and will receive an invaluable amount of professional experience and generate a wealth of portfolio material ... all while having fun!

Opportunities

Ohio State Fair interns have the unique opportunity to:
  • Preview the real world of public relations in an exciting setting.
  • Be treated as a professional communicator and assigned important projects such as writing news releases, contributing to social media content, creating brand journalism content, collaborating on the Fair’s media kit, organizing events, writing newsletters, and more.
  • Pitch stories, set up interviews and coordinate live broadcasts when working directly with media, one-on-one, during the Fair.
  • Serve as the key contact to radio and television stations regarding their promotions and remote broadcasts at the Fair.
  • Complete important assignments in media relations, promotions, desktop publishing and project management.
  • Enhance your formal education with great on-the-job training.

Qualifications

  • Be a current college junior, senior or recent graduate studying public relations, communications or journalism.
  • Have experience writing news releases, organizing events, pitching stories and designing and writing newsletters; desktop publishing or basic design experience (such as Adobe InDesign and Canva) is a plus.
  • Be detail-oriented, respectful of deadlines, and conscientious.
  • Be self-motivated with the drive to follow through. Work will be completed as a team as well as individually in a fast-paced, fun atmosphere.

When You'll Work

  • Hours: Monday - Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. in May, June and July. You will be required to work shifts on Saturdays, July 13 and July 20, 2024.
  • Dates of employment: Monday, May 13 - Friday, Aug. 9, 2024, (tentative based on school schedules). The entire internship cannot exceed 14 weeks. There is no work on state holidays: May 27, June 19, and July 4. Extended hours during the Fair: During the 12 days of the Fair, July 24 - Aug. 4, 2024, extended hours will be required (at least a 14-hour shift daily). Interns cannot take time off during the Fair.

Questions?

Contact Jess West at j.west@expo.ohio.gov or call 614.644.4012.
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What do past interns say this experience?

"Working as a summer public relations & marketing intern for the 2023 Ohio State Fair has been one of the most educational and enjoyable experiences. The best word I can use to describe the internship is ‘well-rounded.’ I’ve gained knowledge and experience writing press releases, creating newsletters, video projects, and so much more. I’ve had the privilege of working with three other great interns, making the experience that much more enjoyable. This internship provides so many networking opportunities while working with some of the most notable media stations in Columbus. This internship not only solidified my passion for public relations but made me even more excited to navigate new job opportunities after graduation."
- Kaily, Otterbein University, 2023 Ohio State Fair Intern

"To list each advantage that the Ohio State Fair PR & Marketing Coordinator position has contributed to my career is a near impossible task. Not only did the position provide experience writing press releases and exercising my AP style skills, it gave me the opportunity to work closely with producers, camera crews, reporters, and anchors of multiple local media organizations. As a journalism student, I cannot express enough how valuable this internship was when it comes to connecting with successful local reporters, nearly all of whom would jump on the opportunity to give advice, insight, and assistance on breaking into the competitive media industry. On top of all of this, the job requires you to spend time at Ohio’s most exciting event of the summer, and I am so thankful for the time I spent with the 2023 Ohio State Fair."
- Alex, Ohio University, 2023 Ohio State Fair Intern

"To say this internship has broadened every aspect of my professional career is an understatement. My knowledge of public relations and marketing has grown immensely, in addition to so many other aspects of any business position. I’m so thankful to have worked alongside such amazing people and been guided by the best OSF staff. There is truly no better place and position to learn the ropes of this profession. To top it all off, this internship was always exciting. From bonding over our tasks to meeting and collaborating with Columbus' top news outlets to golf carting around the grounds, I was always looking forward to going to work and learning more and more about this amazing event. The memories will absolutely last a lifetime and I am beyond thankful to be going into my senior year with all these new experiences."
- Elizabeth, The Ohio State University, 2023 Ohio State Fair Intern

"Working for the Ohio State Fair has been a wild experience, to say the least. I went into the internship hoping to understand my major better than when I started, and I can confidentially say that’s true. It’s no easy job, but if you are looking for an internship to push you to be your best, this is it! I’m walking away with more realistic knowledge than I could ever receive in a lecture hall and enough photos, memories, and laughs to last a lifetime. The OSF team will welcome you with open arms and show you so many sides to the Fair than you ever thought you could know. "
- Caroline, Miami University, 2023 Ohio State Fair Intern
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