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Burson Summer Internship - HBSI 2025 (Client-Facing, Austin, TX Hybrid)

Austin, Texas, United States

Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. Learn more at www.bursonglobal.com.  

The Harold Burson Summer Internship (HBSI) Program gives early-career professionals an opportunity to explore the world of communications at a top-tier global communications agency during an exhilarating 16-week experience. During this paid internship, interns work alongside top professionals in the field, participating in everything from strategy and planning discussions to creative brainstorms aimed at capturing national news, shaping public opinion and sparking community engagement.

The HBSI culminates a real-world challenge where interns research, design and present a campaign for a current Burson client to the agency’s senior management, receiving feedback, tips and insights that would ordinarily take years to obtain. The summer internship program offers an invaluable career-development experience. So … are you ready to be a Harold Burson summer intern?

The program will run from June 9 – September 30, 2025, and you will be connected to one of our U.S. offices. The health and well-being of our employees, including you as our future intern, are our top priorities. All our offices are open, and we plan to welcome you to them as many days a week as you'd like, but Burson U.S. is currently following an 8 day/month in the office hybrid policy.

Please note, this application is for one of our client-facing positions within the following practices: Consumer & Brand, Corporate & Public Affairs, Energy & Industrials, Health & Wellness, Digital, Mobility & Transportation, Technology, Grassroots (Direct Impact) and Performance Media. To help you understand our practices and to aid in your decision making when choosing your top three areas of interest, please review the descriptions at the bottom of this post.

There is a separate application for Creative Copywriting roles on the Burson HBSI landing page. If you are interested in a Creative role and this client facing role, please feel free to apply for both. They are all still a part of the broader Harold Burson Summer Internship, you will just have a different focus area.

Application requirements (Incomplete applications will not be eligible for consideration):

  1. Resume
  2. Cover Letter
  3. Writing Prompt: Harold Burson’s values and contributions will always be at the heart of Burson, which would not exist today without the firm he founded and grew. With the spirit of Harold Burson, Burson pushes boundaries and propels the industry forward. In 500 words, tell us about a time where you used creativity and thought differently to come up with a solution to a problem you faced, personally or professionally.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, February 2, 2025 at 11:59 pm PST. If you have specific questions, please email HAROLD Intern Program HAROLDInternProgram@bcw-global.com.

 

Experience that contributes to your success:

At the start of the internship, must be a recent (May/June) 2025 graduate.

Strong research, written and verbal communication skills

Able to work in a fast-paced environment with the ability to handle high-pressure situations

Please note, Burson does not provide any form of relocation/housing assistance. Once hired, it will be up to the individual to find accommodations for the duration of the program.

 

Consumer & Brand- We build brands that enhance reputation, create culture and influence consumer behavior. Whether putting brands into pop culture at the speed of news or addressing more deeply seeded societal challenges, we develop communications that create reputation capital for our clients with unrivaled intelligence, innovation and impact.

Corporate & Public Affairs- From policy shifts to trade to supply chain dynamics, our experts have worked directly with policymakers around the world. We understand the drivers and know the players, the power centers and the right messages – and messengers – for success. Our global team of strategic advisors provide seasoned counsel and nuanced strategies that reflect and respond to the multi-layered realities of today’s global communities.

Health & Wellness- We provide strategic counsel and flawless execution from corporate to R&D communications to regulatory milestones and more. We have strong connections to regulatory bodies and a deep understanding of the intersection of advocacy, policy and sustainability.

Digital- The Digital team customizes campaigns for their clients. From insights to influence and content to paid media, digital designs engagements for brands that move audiences to action. Whether launching social media pages, introducing always-on paid media campaigns or developing creative that breaks through the clutter, BCW’s digital team is synonymous with change and innovation. 

Performance Media- The Performance Media team specializes in developing integrated media campaigns that intersect audiences where, how and when they are the most receptive to content. The team is focused on developing programs that not only drive results, but also uplift the brand.  The team works to craft amazing stories on behalf of our clients that get audiences to move in the desired direction to make defendable business impact across digital media channels and develop custom measurement and attribution programs to deliver.

Technology- Technology has never been more transformative, more promising or more risky. Burson deftly navigates that balance, and no one is better prepared to help technology clients navigate what's next.

Mobility & Transportation- Whether it’s transportation by air, rail, road or sea, we’re focused on setting clients up for progress – positioning them to overcome challenges, both economic and social, and capitalize on opportunities presented by technological advancements. We help clients adapt to and navigate the complex network of policies, people and regulations necessary to reach their most critical audiences.

Energy & Industrials- Adept at communicating complicated and fast-moving issues, we help energy clients navigate the transition toward sustainable progress. Our experts work across the global energy system, convening government, business and public sector players, and through all parts of the communications mix, delivering issues expertise and engaging stakeholders at every level and across every market.

Direct Impact (Grassroots)- Our team has a nationwide field network that offers scalable, high impact communications services covering every community, media market, political jurisdiction, and digital landscape in the U.S. We redefine what is means to engage communities and move stakeholders through 21st century grassroots and purpose-driven communications.

 

About Burson (A WPP Agency):

As part of WPP, Burson has access to leading agencies across all disciplines to help our clients navigate their most pressing challenges and significant opportunities. Our employees also benefit from learning programs through WPP and exposure to the best talent in the business.

The Burson Group is a strategic network of highly specialized global agencies that partner with clients across geographies, stakeholders and sectors. Together, we help brands and businesses reinvent reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future.

Our careers page is designed to be accessible to everyone. If you need any specific accommodations during the application process, feel free to reach out to us at appaccommodations@bursonglobal.com. Please note that this email is for applicants needing special assistance, so we may not be able to reply to other inquiries.

At Burson, diversity, equity and inclusion are not just values; they are strategic imperatives that fuel our future in an industry built on the art of understanding, connecting and developing relationships. We believe that a diverse workforce is essential for inspiring bold ideas, fostering constructive dialogue and cultivating meaningful experiences that drive innovation and creativity. It also enables our agency to thrive and deliver brilliant work.  

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Burson does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of their race, creed, color, age, religion, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, military status, national origin, or ancestry.   

For more information, visit www.bursonglobal.com.  

 

The compensation for this position at the time of this posting is $19.00 per hour.  Individual compensation varies based on job-related factors, including business needs, experience, level of responsibility and qualifications.  We offer a competitive benefits package, click here for more details -  https://mybenefits.wpp.com/.

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Please submit your 500-word writing prompt here.   Harold Burson’s values and contributions will always be at the heart of Burson, which would not exist today without the firm he founded and grew. With the spirit of Harold Burson, Burson pushes boundaries and propels the industry forward. In 500 words, tell us about a time where you used creativity and thought differently to come up with a solution to a problem you faced, personally or professionally. *

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