Southwest Internship | Communications or Public Relations Intern ($22/hr + $500)

Southwest Airlines

Job Description

Communications or Public Relations Intern

Southwest Airlines' Communications/Public Relations Internships span across several different Teams within the Communications & Outreach (C&O) Department or Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards Department. Interns may be asked to support a variety of projects within one or more of the following Teams:

Join Southwest as a Spring Intern, with a 12-week internship lasting from January 31 through April 21.

Work fully remotely, with opportunities to connect with your Team and other workgroups virtually and potential to travel to visit our Dallas, TX Headquarters.

Dedicate a minimum of 24 hours each week to your internship responsibilities and tasks, up to 40 hours a week. We recommend checking your Spring schedule now to ensure availability.

Receive an hourly pay of $22 and receive a one-time $500 stipend on your first paycheck.

Receive free, unlimited travel privileges for yourself and eligible dependents on Southwest Airlines.

Interns will receive any required equipment, such as a laptop, for the internship.

Your main responsibilities in this role include the following:

Duties and Responsibilities

Public Relations

Do you appreciate a good Press Release or a fun social media moment? Within C&O, the Public Relations Team develops strategic communication plans for a variety of Company initiatives, such as new city and flight introductions; music and entertainment integrations; marketing product launches; executive platform amplification; crisis planning; and financial results communication. The Team prepares written communications (news releases, media alerts, blogs, social media copy, etc.); assists with day-to-day event coordination; creates content for the Company’s social media channels; and oversees Southwest’s Media relationships.

Duties and Responsibilities May Include But are Not Limited To:

• Attend cross-functional meetings

• Complete special projects

• Draft blog content, press releases, memos, and letters

• Assist with daily communications on the Southwest Airlines corporate social media channels, and coordinate editorial calendar for online content

• Update and edit Media lists using tools like Cision

• Participate in event planning, speech preparation, and escorting news crews

• Assist with strategic communications planning

• Be involved in possible travel opportunities

Internal Corporate Communications

Do you have a passion for storytelling and creating internal communication strategies? Within C&O, the Companywide Communications Team develops strategic communication plans for Company initiatives on a variety of subjects, including Company Reputation, Social issues, Sustainability, Culture, Awards, Executive Platforms, Benefits and Wellbeing, Training, Facilities, Safety, Outreach, Diversity & Inclusion, Technology, Supply Chain, and Campus Communication. The Team also oversees measurement and reporting for Executive Platforms and creates content for some of our channels, including digital signs, LUVLines (internal print magazine), blogs on SWALife (Company intranet), The One Report (annual corporate social responsibility report), and multimedia project requests. The Internal Corporate Communications Intern would gain exposure to these areas and also work closely with the Citizenship Team on various projects and research.

Duties and Responsibilities May Include But are Not Limited To:

• Attend cross-functional meetings as needed

• Complete special projects as needed

• Write articles for Employee magazine, LUVLines, Departmental publications, and Southwest’s onboard digital magazine, The Scoop

• Prepare blog postings, memos, and letters

• Drafts and distributes daily and ad hoc communications for Department and Leaders

• Assist with loading and scheduling content for Southwest’s Community blog and Employee Departmental web sites

• Support communication for Southwest’s community, citizenship, and enviornmental sustainability initiatives, including communication planning, content development, and project management

• Edit and proofread Company material

• Assist with strategic communications planning

Operational Communications

Are you a strong writer with a passion for implementing strategy to support one or more operational work groups (such as Flight Attendants or Mechanics) through communication efforts? Within C&O, the Operational Communication (Ops Comm) Team develops strategic communication plans for our operational work groups, which encompass many of our frontline Employees who keep our airline running. Communicators on this Team support the daily communications to the work group; build strategic communication plans; tell the stories of their work group; and support Executive communications for some of our Vice Presidents. The goal of Ops Comm is to help Employees feel connected and informed so that they can best serve our Customers.

Duties and Responsibilities May Include But are Not Limited To:

• Attend cross-functional meetings as needed

• Complete special projects as needed

• Write articles for department and Companywide communication, including blog posts and weekly news updates

• Assist with loading and scheduling content for work group editorial calendars

• Attend special events, such as location tours, Town Hall meetings, and photoshoots

• Assist with strategic communications planning and Digital Signs

Job Requirements

• High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education required

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• You must have a valid U.S. Social Security Number to complete the full hiring process.

• Must have authorization to work in the United States as defined by the Immigration Reform Act of 1986.

• Progress towards a degree, major, or minor in Communications OR a similar degree required.

• Minimum Sophomore status. May not have an undergraduate graduation date of December or prior, unless already enrolled in a full-time graduate degree program at time of application.

• To be eligible, must be currently enrolled as a full-time student as defined by your university at the time of application.

• Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA at the time of application.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills required. Must possess a strong proficiency of the English language, including superior grammar, spelling, and organizational skills.

• Ability to write in the Brand Voice.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, is required.

• Understanding of the airline/travel industry is a plus.

• Possess a strong understanding of how Customers and Employees use communication channels to communicate with the Southwest Brand.

• Ability to work independently and the willingness to function as part of a Team.

• Ability to handle multiple projects under tight deadlines and work well under pressure.

• Must have ability to comprehend, proofread, and edit a variety of documents with a keen eye for accuracy and attention to detail.

• Must handle confidential and sensitive information with the utmost professionalism.

• Must be able to present self well to meet public and present in large or small settings.

• Public speaking skills and/or experience a plus.

Job Details

Company: Southwest Airlines

Employment Type: Internship

Job Location: Dallas, Texas, United States

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