Thinking back to college, I vividly remember taking marketing courses that I simply had no interest in. I knew print and television ads would be over quicker than a Clipper fast break, and given the fact that a longtime friend plays for the Clippers, me using such an analogy speaks for itself.

High school and college students interested in social media marketing must pursue their dream by jump starting their career today, not tomorrow. To do so, internships are a necessity.

Speaking from experience, I’ve done the grunt work and can safely say that true experience comes from performing every task under the sun. Everything you do in life is for a reason. You may not realize it now, but in the future it will come to light.

As a young buck, I worked at a pet store (Aquarium Stock Company) while in elementary school, interned at Johnny Cochran’s law office in middle school, then started a recording studio with friends in high school. In essence, I went from cleaning animal droppings and dishing out crickets to working in a top notch law office to renting a sweet office on Wilshire Blvd. by the time I was in high school.

The point is, you must start somewhere and gaining knowledge with a social media internship is the best thing an aspiring social media guru can do. Jump in a steamroller and pave your way to success or be doomed for failure.

Aaron Schoenberger
@TheSchoenberger
The Brainchild Group

Aaron Schoenberger is Founder of The Brainchild Group — a world-renowned Internet marketing agency that specializes in Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization (SEO). He’s known for his work with celebrities, top restaurants, automotive manufacturers, professional athletes, educational institutions, luxury brands and Fortune 500 companies.