A Great (Sim)ternship

When I first heard about Stukent’s Social Media Simternship for Buhi Bags, I wasn’t sure what to expect. A simulation internship sounded intriguing — like some mix of a Papa’s Pizzeria game and actual work experience. 

In layman’s terms, the simternship puts you in the role of a social media assistant for Buhi Co., a fictional brand. The goal is to manage Buhi’s online presence, create content, run campaigns, and analyze performance data. It’s like being handed the keys to a brand’s social media accounts — without the real-world pressure of accidentally getting it all wrong.

One of the best parts of the simternship is how realistic it feels. It was fun to be given tasks that mirror what actual social media managers do: scheduling posts, creating ad campaigns, and engaging with comments. But what makes it even more fun is the low-stakes environment. If my engagement rate tanked or I forgot to budget properly, I didn't have a boss breathing down my neck. Instead, I got helpful feedback to improve my strategy.

The simulation also dives into the nitty-gritty of campaign management. I had to allocate budgets across platforms like Facebook and Instagram among others, all while learning how to balance creativity with data-driven decision-making.

This simternship is the perfect way to ease into analytics. Every action I took came with measurable results. Did my Instagram ad drive clicks? Did my Facebook ad bring in conversions? All of the numbers were available to me almost immediately. 

This focus on analytics taught me the importance of constant refinement. Social media isn’t just about posting pretty pictures — it’s about making data-driven adjustments to connect with your audience effectively.

Beyond the numbers, the simternship also flexes creative muscles. I had to brainstorm content ideas, write captions, and plan an entire content calendar week by week. It’s a chance to test out different tones and styles to see what resonates with Buhi’s audience. Plus, it really highlights the balance between creativity and strategy. Every piece of content has a purpose, whether it’s to drive traffic, boost engagement, or raise brand awareness.

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the simternship is confidence. By the end of the program, I essentially managed a brand’s entire social media strategy. That’s something I can put on a resume, discuss in interviews, and even use to kickstart freelance work.

This simternship was one of my favorite parts of this class. It’s fun, engaging, and — most importantly — it equipped me with the skills I can actually use in the real world.