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Government relations internship vs communications coordinator

The differences between government relations interns and communications coordinators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a government relations internship and a communications coordinator. Additionally, a communications coordinator has an average salary of $47,075, which is higher than the $34,678 average annual salary of a government relations internship.

The top three skills for a government relations internship include internship program, powerpoint and public policy. The most important skills for a communications coordinator are customer service, web content, and event planning.

Government relations internship vs communications coordinator overview

Government Relations InternshipCommunications Coordinator
Yearly salary$34,678$47,075
Hourly rate$16.67$22.63
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs58,47039,790
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a government relations internship do?

A government relations internship involves a trainee who assists the vice president of government relations in managing and analyzing policy issues. Government relations interns are required to compile and summarize material on emerging and existing public policy for staff members. They assist with external stakeholder engagement strategy and draft press releases on pertinent legislative and regulatory issues. Government relations interns must also attend congressional hearings and produce reports to corporations and trade associations covering wide a wide array of policy areas.

What does a communications coordinator do?

A communications coordinator is responsible for overseeing the communications department's operations, developing the brand image, and monitoring press releases, company articles, and other related marketing materials for business promotion and visibility. Communications coordinators actively interact with existing and potential clients, negotiate contracts, and build profitable partnerships. They also develop strategic procedures for creating the business' online presence, organizing promotional events, and media conferences. A communications coordinator must have excellent communication and organization skills to maintain a good reputation and customer satisfaction.

Government relations internship vs communications coordinator salary

Government relations interns and communications coordinators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Government Relations InternshipCommunications Coordinator
Average salary$34,678$47,075
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $50,000Between $34,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCWashington, DC
Highest paying stateWashingtonNew Jersey
Best paying companyThe Motley FoolMicrosoft
Best paying industryMediaGovernment

Differences between government relations internship and communications coordinator education

There are a few differences between a government relations internship and a communications coordinator in terms of educational background:

Government Relations InternshipCommunications Coordinator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 75%
Most common majorPolitical ScienceCommunication
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Government relations internship vs communications coordinator demographics

Here are the differences between government relations interns' and communications coordinators' demographics:

Government Relations InternshipCommunications Coordinator
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 43.1% Female, 56.9%Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.3% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 12.1% Asian, 5.3% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between government relations internship and communications coordinator duties and responsibilities

Government relations internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage the office's social media site on Facebook by updating news from RU to alumni.
  • Announce several collegiate sporting events including volleyball, track, baseball, softball, swimming and soccer.
  • Perform PSA's for FCC.
  • Record and edit YouTube videos.
  • Administer FMLA procedures to employees.
  • Create FMLA process map/best practices.
  • Show more

Communications coordinator example responsibilities.

  • Launch and manage the corporate Instagram account @ xcelenergy.
  • Manage and maintain the admission website by using basic knowledge of HTML and web editing templates.
  • Co-developed regional, national and international trade show strategy including logistics, management, qualifying leads, communications and ROI tracking.
  • Contribute brand appropriate content for: blog, instagram, and twitter.
  • General administrative and marketing duties including sending e-marketing campaigns, updating intranet and SharePoint sites, and publishing public relations newsletters.
  • Monitor the daily work of the travel agency booking agents.
  • Show more

Government relations internship vs communications coordinator skills

Common government relations internship skills
  • Internship Program, 15%
  • PowerPoint, 9%
  • Public Policy, 8%
  • Donor Database, 5%
  • Government Affairs, 4%
  • Legislative Process, 4%
Common communications coordinator skills
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Web Content, 7%
  • Event Planning, 6%
  • Press Releases, 5%
  • Patients, 5%
  • Community Events, 5%

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