Summer Business Associate
Overview
The Summer Business Associate Program gives business/entrepreneurship, marketing, and/or communications students the chance to work inside a professional services firm on projects that directly impact how the firm grows, communicates, and serves its clients. This is a paid, project-based position modeled on a consulting-style engagement: you’ll own defined initiatives with real deliverables, present your work to firm leadership, and leave with a portfolio of professional work product.
The program runs 8–10 weeks over the summer. Associates work full-time, are compensated at $18.00–$20.00/hour, and may be eligible for academic credit through their school’s internship program.
What You’ll Do
Summer Business Associates are assigned 2–3 strategic projects over the course of the program, each with clear objectives, milestones, and deliverables. Depending on the firm’s priorities that summer, your projects may involve:
Marketing & Brand Development
- Creating content for the firm’s website, blog, social media channels, and email campaigns
- Conducting SEO and digital marketing analysis with actionable recommendations
- Developing client-facing materials — brochures, one-pagers, case studies, and educational guides
- Supporting video, podcast, or webinar content planning and production
Client Development & Experience
- Mapping and improving the client intake process
- Designing and analyzing client satisfaction surveys
- Organizing and optimizing the firm’s CRM system
- Identifying referral network and strategic partnership opportunities
Business Operations & Strategy
- Conducting market research on the firm’s competitive positioning and target client segments
- Documenting internal processes and recommending workflow improvements
- Building dashboards or reports on firm KPIs (website traffic, lead conversion, client demographics)
The program culminates in a capstone presentation during your final week, where you present your key project outcomes and strategic recommendations to firm leadership — a professional deliverable you can speak to in any future interview.
You will also complete a self-paced training course covering professional development fundamentals, legal industry marketing, professional services branding, and an overview of the firm’s practice areas so you understand the work behind what you’re promoting.
Program Structure
- Orientation & Training (Week 1): Onboarding, firm systems, intern handbook, and the start of your self-paced training course
- Project Work (Weeks 1–10): Ongoing ownership of 2–3 defined projects, with increasing autonomy as you demonstrate capability
- Weekly Check-Ins: One-on-one meetings with your supervising manager to review progress, adjust scope, and provide feedback
- Mid-Program Review (Week 4 or 5): Formal written and verbal evaluation covering your performance, project trajectory, and goals for the remainder of the program
- Capstone Presentation (Final Week): Present your project outcomes and strategic recommendations to firm leadership
- Final Evaluation (Final Week): Comprehensive written review of deliverable quality, strategic thinking, professionalism, and initiative
Qualifications
We are looking for students who can think strategically and execute. Specifically:
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate or graduate student in marketing, business administration, communications, or a related field
- Strong written communication skills — you will create content that represents the firm to clients and prospects
- Comfort with digital tools (social media platforms, basic analytics, design tools like Canva, CRM systems)
- Ability to manage projects independently and meet deadlines without constant oversight
- Intellectual curiosity about professional services, legal industry marketing, or small business strategy
- Prior internship or project experience in marketing or business is a plus but not required
Compensation & Details
| Compensation | $15.00–$20.00/hour |
| Schedule | Full-time, 35–40 hours/week |
| Duration | 8–10 weeks (early June – early/mid-August) |
| Location | Rockwall, Texas |
| Academic Credit | Available where permitted by your school |
To Apply
Submit the following materials through the application form below:
- Resume
- Brief cover letter/statement of interest (tell us why this program and what you want to get out of it)
- One work sample relevant to the role (writing sample, marketing plan, campaign you worked on, design portfolio, or similar)
- Unofficial transcript
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The priority deadline is January 15, with interviews conducted January through March and offers extended by March-April.