Social Research Intern - Remote

4w1 month ago

Turnitin, LLC

New York City, US · Internship · $26,000 – $52,000

About this role

Turnitin, a recognized innovator in global education for over 25 years, is seeking a dynamic and analytical Summer Intern to join our Corporate Communications and Brand Strategy team. This full-time, 10-12-week internship is uniquely tailored for a researcher ready to dig into the nuances of digital subcultures and internet community dynamics.

You will spearhead an in-depth research initiative mapping relevant Reddit communities, analyzing corporate engagement best practices, and evaluating how our brand, competitors, and industry are perceived within the Reddit ecosystem. Day-to-day work includes auditing subreddits, synthesizing organic user sentiment, and developing frameworks for authentic platform participation.

Turnitin offers a remote-first culture that empowers you to work with purpose and accountability, supported by a comprehensive package prioritizing your overall well-being. You'll join a diverse community of colleagues unified by a shared desire to make a difference in education, with team members in over 35 countries.

This role provides direct ownership over a high-visibility, executive-level research project that will shape the company's long-term digital community playbook. You will gain mentorship from seasoned communications, public relations, and brand strategy professionals, along with practical experience applying internet sociology to real-world corporate strategy.

Requirements

Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data from online communities.
Social media savvy with a deep understanding of digital subcultures and platform-specific governance, particularly on Reddit.
Ability to conduct independent research and produce clear, actionable strategic recommendations.
Excellent written communication skills for documenting findings and presenting frameworks.
Self-motivated and comfortable working in a remote-first environment with minimal supervision.
Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program in communications, sociology, marketing, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Identify, track, and audit relevant subreddits, communities, and highly active discussion threads related to our industry, brand, and core product offerings.
Analyze the current state of Reddit community conversations, synthesizing organic user sentiment, emerging trends, pain points, and advocacy patterns.
Research and compile case studies on how major brands successfully navigate corporate engagement on Reddit, examining AMA structures, community moderation partnerships, and organic outreach.
Translate research findings into actionable recommendations and frameworks for corporate communications, brand marketing, and customer advocacy teams.
Support the broader team with secondary research projects spanning general corporate communications, media monitoring, competitor brand tracking, and executive positioning analysis.
Map out the Reddit ecosystem to identify opportunities for safe, authentic, and high-value platform participation.

Benefits

Direct ownership over a high-visibility, executive-level research project that will shape the company's long-term digital community playbook.
Mentorship from seasoned communications, public relations, and brand strategy professionals.
Practical experience applying internet sociology and social listening metrics to real-world corporate strategy.
Opportunities to network across a global organization with team members in over 35 countries.
Remote-first culture that empowers you to work with purpose and accountability.