Written in collaboration with our new Director of Operations, Razia Meer.
“Do you hate the idea of interning for 40 hours a week in a cube lit by fluorescent lights? Do you want to grab life by the handlebars and take on the world? Then this is the summer job for you.”
Harley’s 12-week internship not only gives you hands-on experience in integrated marketing communications, but they also TEACH you to ride and then GIVE you a bike upon passing a Harley Davidson Riding Academy course and obtaining a motorcycle endorsement!
As a “brand enthusiast,” and new Harley owner, your “job” is to “chronicle your summer on social media.” That’s it, according to Mashable.
It seems all you have to do during this internship is ride, ride, ride – documenting your experiences for your friends and followers to envy. A live video, essay, blog post, photo collage, or whatever takes your fancy. If you can get people talking about bike culture, Harley Davidson wants you! And did we mention that the job PAYS too?
Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But this is exactly what Harley Davidson is doing this year to push their brand. Called “Find Your Freedom,” it appears to be one of the best summer internships around.
So, what’s the catch?
Successful applicants need to ascribe to the ethos of Harley Davidson and exhibit and demonstrate their valued behaviors. They will be expected to effectively connect, communicate and collaborate with employees, dealers, and executives of Harley Davidson, and most importantly, other riders. Being the “face of the company” comes with certain responsibilities, such as supporting the key brand and relaying product messages in engaging and authentic ways through social media. Perhaps most importantly, the applicant will need to be able to navigate between their “personal” brand and the “Harley Davidson” brand while a paid ambassador. Check the job listing for further deets!
Only eight are to be accepted into the program, and the application window closes May 11, 2018. “The program is open to recent grads and current college juniors and seniors who want to pursue a career in marketing or social media.” And, if Harley does their homework, these interns will likely have huge social media accounts boasting thousands of followers.
Our View
Painted into the crossroads of PR, social media, and branding, Harley Davidson has no doubt created the perfect blend of internship and advertising. Here at Branding with Chuck, we feel this program will go down as a hit, perhaps enticing sales from an untapped market on social media — those living vicariously through the youngsters’ excitingly Instagrammed summer adventures. This kind of off-the-cuff, unscripted advertising and brand marketing was a gimmick money couldn’t buy… until now.