Summer Intern, Brand Creative Studio: Brand Strategy & Research

Overview

Emerson Collective (EC) is a company of investors, changemakers, creative thinkers, and problem solvers working to make a lasting mark on the world. 

Emerson Collective’s summer internship program places rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors - and, for select opportunities, undergraduate students graduating in 2026 - in paid internship opportunities across Emerson Collective and our longstanding nonprofit partners XQ Institute, E Pluribus Unum, and Chicago CRED. 

We’re looking for college students who think big, embrace challenges, and thrive in collaboration.

The internship is onsite, 40 hours per week, from June 15 through August 7, 2026. A mandatory paid virtual onboarding and orientation will take place June 10–12. See below for more details.

Application Deadline: Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT / 5:00 PM ET. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be accepted.

The Opportunity

The Brand Creative Studio team drives the brand for Emerson Collective and our priority areas, working to change hearts and minds with world-class storytelling and creativity—big ideas such as advertising, marketing, and brand films, all the way to day-to-day content for brand channels. Design is also an output, from logos to event design and more. The Brand Creative Studio's work covers brand management, creative strategy, ideation, digital, production, and content creation roles, so there is a diverse range of responsibilities.  

 As the Brand Strategy & Research intern, you’ll work closely with the Brand Creative Studio team to support brand and campaign development through research, landscape analysis, and content development. You’ll help us better understand the positioning, language, and creative visuals that brands use—particularly those shaping youth culture, media, and mission-driven spaces—and how they communicate through storytelling, design, and tone.

Working alongside mentors on the team, you’ll contribute to audience insights, trendspotting, and brand storytelling initiatives that will help shape future creative and brand projects. Ideal candidates bring experience or demonstrated interest in brand building, brand and communication strategy, and creative content, supported by strong research skills (including online research and academic paper development).  

• Conduct research across advertising campaigns, brands, and creative executions to identify trends, similarities, and insights.
• Analyze the landscape of today’s leading brands. 
• Build clear, compelling decks (Keynote or Google Slides) that visually present and synthesize key insights and communicate strategic takeaways for internal teams.
• Research youth culture trends and help translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Assist in developing audience personas and moodboards in collaboration with creative strategists. 
• Work with team members to mock up and refine strategy decks that serve as internal creative tools. 
• Collaborate closely with team members to deliver thoughtful, polished work.

• Rising undergraduate sophomore, junior, or senior, preferably pursuing a field in communications, marketing, cultural studies, design, or a related field. 
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to distill complex information into clear, visually compelling presentations.
• Demonstrated interest in brand building, communications strategy, creative content, or related areas, along with research skills in online research and academic paper development.
• Skilled in Google Slides or Keynote and comfortable using visual and written formats to tell a strategy story. 
• Strong eye for details and clarity–able to make insights digestible for creative teams. 
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, able to manage multiple projects and timelines simultaneously.
• Strong collaborative mindset and comfort working in a fast-paced environment, with an openness to constructive feedback.
• Curious about brand, culture, storytelling, and what makes creative work resonate. 
• Cares about Emerson Collective’s values, work, and impact.

Internship Details

Compensation

- All interns are paid $25 per hour and can expect to work 40 hours per week from June 15 to August 7 (eight weeks).

- Interns will also be paid $25 per hour for onboarding and orientation sessions taking place June 10–12.

- All interns receive a lunch allowance and a commuter allowance, and may also receive travel and housing allowances as needed. 

Key Dates

- November 18 – January 9: Internship applications accepted; interviews begin on a rolling basis

Applications must be submitted by 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET on Friday, January 9.

(Please note that not all applicants will be selected for interviews.)

- January 12 – March 7: Interviews continue and offers extended

- June 10–12: Mandatory virtual onboarding and orientation

- June 15: Internship program begins

- August 7: Internship program concludes