SXSW Internships

South by Southwest offers a broad range of internships. Our focus is to provide a real-life learning experience within the organization, so that students are better prepared to seek employment after graduation.

Looking for a job? See our Careers Page for information about open positions at SXSW.

About our internships

  • All internships are unpaid
  • All interns must be a currently enrolled student at an accredited college or university
  • Preference is given to interns receiving college credit for their internship
  • Most positions require a weekly time commitment and general availability during SXSW week
  • Internships occur in Austin, unless otherwise specified

Current Internship Opportunities:

Client Events – Sales Intern

Role Description

The intern will assist the Client Events team with a wide range of responsibilities, including supporting on advancement of Sales activations, ensuring fulfillment of assets through administrative organization, thorough information management, event planning, logistical support and creative problem solving. The intern will essentially act as the information management lead in ensuring the Client Events team gathers all necessary client plans in advance of deadlines set internally and externally (i.e. City of Austin, Austin Convention Center, various hotels, etc.). Responsibilities for this position include updating and maintaining accurate tracking processes and documents for the Client Events team, while providing direct support to the Lead Client Event Sales Managers and Client Event Sales Coordinators. The intern will also assist with the advancement of client activations to ensure all necessary documents are obtained and stored in a unified, easily accessible location and kept updated as needed.

Client Events – Sponsorship Intern

Role Description

The intern will assist the Client Events team with a wide range of responsibilities, specifically supporting on advancement of Sponsorship activations, ensuring fulfillment of assets through administrative organization, thorough information management, event planning, logistical support and creative problem solving. The intern will essentially act as the information management lead in ensuring the Client Events team gathers all necessary client plans in advance of deadlines set internally and externally (i.e. City of Austin, Austin Convention Center, various hotels, etc.). Responsibilities for this position include updating and maintaining accurate tracking processes and documents for the Client Events team, while providing direct support to the Lead Client Event Manager in charge of Sponsorship fulfillment. The intern will also assist with the advancement of client activations to ensure all necessary documents are obtained and stored in a unified, easily accessible location and kept updated as needed.

Commercial Content Intern

Role Description

The SXSW Commercial Content Department, part of the Innovation Group, is seeking a motivated individual to research innovative new technologies for content delivery and to assist in the coordination of Commercial Content’s operations as we prepare for multiple productions during the March event. This individual should have working knowledge of established and emerging audio, video, and social media platforms. Preferred candidates would have first-hand knowledge of live-streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube. This individual will be responsible for weekly projects, including but not limited to: researching emerging video and audio platforms and techniques, monitoring status of Commercial Content projects, generating internal reports on production approvals of 3rd party event recording, and researching and reporting on video influencers and digital content opportunities. When applicable, this individual will be called upon as an on-site production assistant for SXSW Commercial Content productions.

Conference Public Relations Intern

Role Description

During the internship, students will gain significant exposure and experience to all aspects entertainment communications, using many tactics drawn from the communications toolbox. The Public Relations team works directly with media, publicists, talent, distributors, other SXSW departments as well as a wide swath of the entertainment industry. While the tasks and learning opportunities for each internship period will be shaped by its position in the calendar year, learning modules will ensure all interns achieve valuable insights, skills and marketable experience working in the communications shop for a world-renowned event.

Digital Media Intern

Role Description

Reporting to the Web Content Team within the Marketing Department, the Digital Media Intern’s primary duties will be to assist with the development and curation of content for websites and social media channels managed by SXSW, LLC. The intern will help craft blog and social media copy, edit video clips for sharing, and assist with archiving past SXSW content. Additionally, the intern will help source photos, track analytics, and assist in scheduling/monitoring on all platforms.

Event Staffing & Resources (ES&R) Intern

Role Description

The SXSW Event Staffing & Resources Department is seeking several Individuals to engage in the coordination of almost 4,000 volunteers, as well as other event planning projects. The intern will be responsible for weekly learning projects, including helping volunteers with the volunteer sign up process, volunteer scheduling, social and training event planning, and a variety of other projects relating to volunteer and event coordination. Data entry, phone inquiries, and administrative tasks related to volunteer management will be required. The ES&R Department works closely with all departments within SXSW to ensure proper planning and execution of the volunteer plan. This position will provide a wide spectrum of experience relating to the production of a large scale event.

Event Staffing & Resources (ES&R) Intern – Music

Role Description

The SXSW Event Staffing & Resources Department is seeking an individual to assist in the coordination of music venue volunteers. The intern will support the coordination of almost 1,000 music venue volunteers. The intern will be responsible for weekly projects including: assisting volunteers through the volunteer sign-up process, volunteer scheduling, supporting social and training events, event planning, and a variety of other projects relating to volunteer and event coordination. Data entry, phone inquiries, and administrative tasks related to volunteer management will be required. The ES&R Department works closely with all departments within SXSW to ensure proper planning and execution of the volunteer plan. This position will provide a wide spectrum of experience in regards to the production of a large-scale event.

Exhibitions Intern

Role Description

The SXSW Exhibitions Team is seeking several Individuals to assist in the coordination of SXSW branded exhibitions, including Gaming Expo, Wellness, SXSW Create, Edu Expo, Trade Show, Flatstock, Job Market, Southbites Food Trailer Court, and more during our March events. The intern will be responsible for weekly learning projects, including drafting mass email communications for each exhibition, curating and scheduling specialty areas on the show floors, guiding exhibitors through the logistics of exhibiting at SXSW, and a variety of other projects relating to exhibitions and event coordination. Data entry, phone inquiries, and administrative tasks related to event management will be required. The Exhibitions Team works closely with all departments within SXSW to ensure proper planning and execution of the show floors.

Film Production Intern

Role Description

The Film department at SXSW is seeking individuals who are eager to do production work at and leading up to the Film Festival. An individual seeking this position should have an interest in event production and a willingness to work hard.

Hospitality Messaging & Marketing Intern

Role Description

The Hospitality Messaging & Marketing intern will assist a member of the Housing & Travel team with messaging and marketing tactics that will go out to a wide array of SXSW attendees. Primarily, they will be reaching out to the official SXSW Artist & Gaming communities with potential marketing tactics to let them know that affordable hotel accommodations are available to them. They will potentially assist in creating some of these marketing strategies before making them available. Additionally, this intern would assist with messaging SXSW Music Fest wristband attendees. If both the SXSW Housing & Travel Department and intern feel it is a good fit, this intern could move on to be the SXSW International Home Share Intern.

International Home Share Intern

Role Description

The SXSW International Home Share Program is a facet of the SXSW Housing & Travel Department. This program facilitates complementary housing options with host families for official SXSW International Artists & Filmmakers. During this time, the intern would assist the SXSW International Home Share Coordinator in messaging the Artists, Filmmakers, and potential host families. This position would involve assisting the International Home Share Coordinator in the vetting process for hosts. They would also assist the coordinator in surveying both parties after SXSW to see how their experience was.

Music Festival Intern

Role Description

The SXSW Music Festival Department is seeking several interns to assist the booking staff with day-to-day operations, artist advancement and data entry. Additional assistance with music-related projects may be required. These positions will provide hands on experience in the production of a large-scale music festival.

Music Festival Intern (Spanish Speaking Required)

Role Description

The SXSW Music Department is seeking one intern to assist the booking staff with day-to-day operations, artist advancement and data entry. Additional assistance with music-related projects may be required. This position will provide hands-on experience in the production of a large-scale music festival.

Online Marketing Intern

Role Description

The SXSW Brand & Marketing Department is seeking an Online Marketing Intern to assist with the execution of digital marketing programs. The intern will be responsible for providing support in a number of areas, including but not limited to: project coordination, campaign setup, budget and campaign tracking, SEM & SEO initiatives, content proofing, keyword optimization, A/B testing, and best-practices research. Graphic design skills are preferred, but not required.

This position will provide a wide spectrum of experience relating to the promotion and marketing strategy behind a large-scale, international event.

Photography Management Intern

Role Description

The Senior Photography Manager is seeking an intern to assist in the coordination of SXSW Photography efforts. Photography works closely with all departments to plan, coordinate and execute photo coverage of nearly 1,000 SXSW events. After the event, Photography catalogs all photos and makes them available and searchable internally. The intern will have a wide range of responsibilities, from creative to administrative. Their role will include, but is not limited to, playing a large part in the cataloging and archiving of photos, creating and updating training materials, sourcing and editing photos, creating assignment schedules, attending and assisting on photoshoots, and the opportunity to photograph events during SXSW.

Planning Event Coordinator Intern

Role Description

The SXSW Planning department deals with contracting, organizing, detailing and executing the various SXSW events throughout the year. From managing convention space to developing long-term strategies for growth and sustainability, the Planning Department operates at the center of all things SXSW. The Event Planning Coordinator will assist with contracting, managing activations, transportation and logistics management, as well as the coordinating of production elements necessary for successful execution of our many conferences and events.

The Event Coordinator Intern will be working extensively on the logistics and details of our core events – SXSW EDU and SXSW 2019 – as well as advance planning and contract work related to future events.

Public Relations Intern

Role Description

The SXSW Public Relations Department accepts up to three for-credit interns each term (Spring, Summer and Fall) from the University of Texas Moody School of Communications. We also accept interns from universities across the greater Austin university system and not-for credit internships from other departments.

During the internship, students will gain significant exposure and experience to all aspects entertainment communications and events production, using many tactics drawn from the communications toolbox. The Public Relations team works directly with media, publicists, talent, distributors, other SXSW departments as well as a wide swath of the entertainment industry. While the tasks and learning opportunities for each internship period will be shaped by its position in the calendar year, learning modules will ensure all interns achieve valuable insights, skills and marketable experience working in the communications shop for a world-renowned event dedicated to helping creative people achieve their goals.

Registration and Credentials Intern

Role Description

The Registration Staff is in need of a dedicated individual to assist in the processing and support of registrants prior to and during SXSW. The intern will be responsible for providing credentials to all registrants during SXSW and assisting with registration problems and concerns. Additional duties may be assigned closer to and during the event.

Special Projects Intern

Role Description

An intern in this position will work alongside our Special Projects team on various assignments dealing with brand development and partnerships, marketing, research, event preparation & planning, and city relations. The intern will conduct research on company and brand initiatives, investigate and track events, and support the team with client account management. This includes assistance with activations, logistical planning, and fulfillment through administrative organization, thorough information management, event planning (pre-event and onsite), production management, and creative problem solving.

Sponsorship and Client Services Intern

Role Description

Candidates will work alongside the Sponsorship and Business Development team on an array of projects focusing on brand partnerships, marketing campaign programs, social media, brand research and planning & logistics elements for SXSW Sponsor clients. Candidates will get hands on experience working with brands ranging from small start up companies to Fortune 500 corporations. The key takeaway we are hoping for candidates to learn is how marketing programs come together at SXSW 2019 from initial pitch to execution. Candidates will learn how to conduct research on brand initiatives and marketing goals, maintain asset tracking documents, monitor the landscape for brand sponsored activations that may fit here at SXSW and other creative-problem solving exercises. Candidates will also be an integral part of the Sponsorship team and will assist in fulfilling necessary onsite duties during the 10 days of SXSW which will help teach time management and organizational skills in a fast-paced, high-volume atmosphere.

SXSWfm Music & Production Intern

Role Description

SXSWfm is seeking an intern to assist in the day-to-day administrative and research tasks associated with SXSWfm music, programming, and production. Responsibilities include: adding music to and organizing the SXSWfm library, researching SXSW artists past and present – this includes keeping track of upcoming releases, important news and tour schedules – and assisting the SXSWfm Production Coordinator where needed. The intern will be responsible for drafting and posting social media content, writing blog copy for sxsw.com, sourcing and editing photos, and assisting with SXSW 2019 editorial content.