Ever wonder what it's really like to land a marketing internship? Meet Jason Ngo – a Marketing Intern at the CMA who got there by following his curiosity.
Growing up, I created content through gaming and vlogs, so I’ve always had a passion for creativity, growth and building something people connect with. I was always curious about what drives attention behind the scenes and why certain brands, creators or campaigns grow while others don’t.
That curiosity eventually pushed me toward marketing because I wanted to understand the strategy behind growth, storytelling and audience connection. What started as an interest in content creation turned into a deeper interest in branding, consumer behaviour, analytics and how ideas create impact. Marketing felt like the perfect mix of creativity, business and psychology.
I’d choose a role that combines marketing strategy with analytics and performance insights. I enjoy working with data, organizing information, identifying patterns and turning complexity into clarity through dashboards, reporting and visualizations. I’m also very interested in areas like email marketing, automation, copywriting and digital campaigns because I like seeing how strategy can directly influence engagement and growth. I enjoy the balance between creativity and decision-making through data, so a role that sits between both worlds would be ideal for me.
I want to improve in copywriting and messaging. I think strong marketing today is less about sounding “perfect” and more about understanding people on a human level. I’m always trying to learn how to communicate ideas in a way that feels authentic, relatable and emotionally connecting while still driving action. Being able to create messaging that genuinely resonates with different audiences is a skill I really admire and want to continue developing throughout my career.
One piece of advice that stuck with me was to stop waiting until I felt “fully ready” before taking opportunities. A lot of growth comes from putting yourself in environments that challenge you, even if you’re still learning. That mindset helped me become more proactive with internships, networking, leadership opportunities and side projects. I’ve learned that experience builds confidence.
I try to stay current by continuously learning. I regularly take online certifications and side courses, attend CMA and industry events, and stay active within marketing communities. I also learn through platforms like YouTube, TikTok, newsletters and podcasts because marketing trends move quickly and a lot of insights now come directly from creators and professionals sharing real-time experiences. Even during everyday things like working out, driving or cooking, I’m usually listening to podcasts or content related to marketing, branding, AI or business trends.
Maximize every opportunity possible, especially early on. A lot of people only focus on applying for internships, but experience can also come from clubs, volunteering, freelance work or side projects. Try to build things that showcase your skills and initiative. Start a project, run a social page, help organize an event, create content or build a portfolio that visually shows what you’ve worked on. Employers want to see proof of curiosity, leadership and execution, not just grades or resumes. Most importantly, don’t underestimate networking. Some of the biggest opportunities come from conversations, relationships and simply putting yourself out there consistently.
One of my favourite marketing events in 2026 was CMA Marketing Week’s session, Beyond SEO: How AI is Rewriting the Rules of Brand Discovery. What I found most interesting was learning how platforms like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews and TikTok are changing the way people discover brands and information online. The session really changed the way I think about SEO, content strategy and the future of digital marketing.
Marketing is becoming less about simply ranking on Google and more about creating trusted, valuable content that both people and AI systems want to reference. Learning about AI-driven discovery, zero-click searches and changing consumer behaviour made the session feel especially relevant to where the industry is heading.
If I wasn't in marketing, I would pursue something in interior design or product/UX design. I’ve always been drawn to aesthetics, user experience and creating environments or products that make people feel something. I love the idea of designing spaces or experiences that are both visually appealing and emotionally impactful. In a way, I think that still connects back to marketing because both fields are ultimately about understanding people and creating meaningful experiences for them.
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While scouring social media sites, job postings and your favourite companies searching for opportunities to get your foot in the door, you kept seeing one constant – required experience. That's something you just don't have. You're trying but you can't seem to get your foot in the door. Either you get no response or the response is that they've decided not to move forward with your application. That sucks.
"The reality is that what matters most is your ability to use those tools or concepts or frameworks to make actual decisions." - Steven Lorini
When's the last time something you wanted was free? CMA Marketing Week 2026 could be the moment that shifts your entire career trajectory.
