SOCIAL MEDIA & PR ASSOCIATE (Experiential / Commission-Based Internship)
The Rideshare Academy
www.therideshareacademy.com
ABOUT US
The Rideshare Academy is the nation's first college-backed rideshare driver certification program, developed in partnership with Southern Maine Community College. We provide professional training to address the 70% attrition rate among new rideshare drivers, covering earnings optimization, tax strategy, vehicle selection, insurance, safety, and market-specific driving patterns.
The program was founded by a 12-year industry veteran with over 10,000 completed rides across New England, whose expertise has been featured on NPR's All Things Considered and in the Boston Globe.
THE OPPORTUNITY
We are looking for a Social Media and PR Associate to support the launch (class starts March 3) and ongoing promotion of the program across digital and traditional media channels. This position combines daily social content production with public relations support, providing hands-on experience across both disciplines during a real product launch.
This is a great fit for a current marketing, communications, or PR student looking for real portfolio work with a nationally unique startup.
WHAT YOU WOULD DO
• Create and post 4-5 short-form videos per week across TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Edit raw video footage into polished clips using CapCut, Opus, InShot, or similar tools
• Engage with online communities (TikTok, Instagram) and Facebook groups using value-first content strategies
• Monitor and respond to comments and DMs across all platforms
• Track content performance metrics and contribute to weekly reporting
• Support media outreach to regional press, TV, radio, and podcasts using our provided contact database
• Assist with drafting press releases and pitch communications
• Research additional media opportunities, speaking engagements, and podcast placements
WHAT WE PROVIDE
• Fully scripted video concepts with hooks, dialogue, captions, and hashtag sets
• Raw videos for TikTok / short style production
• Complete editorial calendar
• Media contact database covering TV, radio, newspapers, business press, and podcasts across Maine
• Photograph archive
• Established brand voice and visual identity guidelines
• Direct mentorship from the founder
• Professional letter of recommendation upon completion
COMPENSATION
This is an unpaid experiential engagement with a performance-based commission structure tied directly to student registrations:
• $50 per SMCC student registration ($500 course enrollment)
• $100 per general public registration ($1,000 course enrollment)
• Commission paid within 7 days of confirmed registration
Academic credit may also be available depending on your school's experiential learning policies.
The role is designed to transition into a paid position beginning Summer 2026 as the program expands to additional locations across New England.
POSITION DETAILS
Location: Remote (Maine-based preferred) Hours: 10-15 hours per week, flexible schedule Reports to: Founder / CEO
QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
• Current student or recent graduate in marketing, communications, PR, or related field
• Proficiency with mobile video editing (CapCut, InShot, Opus, Premiere Rush, or equivalent)
• Understanding of short-form video content on TikTok and Instagram
• Strong written communication skills
• Self-directed work style with consistent follow-through
Preferred:
• Graphic design skills (Canva or Adobe Creative Suite)
• Experience with social media scheduling tools (Buffer, Later, Hootsuite)
• Existing social media presence demonstrating content creation ability
• Familiarity with AI-assisted content creation tools
MORE INFO
This is not a hypothetical class project. You would be managing social media and PR for a real product launch in active partnership with a real college. Every piece of content goes live immediately across major platforms. The program is expanding to four New England markets by summer 2026 and additional cities nationally after that. Strong performers are positioned for the paid Social Media and PR Coordinator role as the organization scales.
TO APPLY
• Resume (one page is fine)
• Links to 2-3 social media posts or reels you have created (personal accounts accepted)
• Brief statement of interest (one to two sentences is plenty)
This position is available immediately. The pilot course launches March 3, 2026
