INTERN: Research intern (Local)
Location: Peoria, IL
Type: Temporary
Min. Experience: Student (College)
Salary Range: $15.00 - $18.00 per hour
Apply by: November 21st, 2025This salary is based on experience and qualifications, in alignment with the level of responsibility assigned.Simantel is seeking a curious and motivated Research Intern to work in-person with our Insights and Strategy team at our Peoria, Illinois office during Spring 2026. This internship provides a paid opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience in marketing research within a full-service agency environment. Interns will collaborate with seasoned professionals, learn how data drives strategy, and gain exposure to real-world client projects. If you’re passionate about discovering what drives audience behavior and want to build practical skills in research, data collection, and analysis, Simantel is the perfect place to grow.About UsSimantel is a full-service marketing agency with 40(ish) years of experience working with heavy-industry brands. Because of our long-term client relationships, our knowledge of B2B products and services runs deep. Not to mention our understanding of working with heavily matrixed organizations who sell through a distribution network of dealers or reps.All the work we do supports our comprehensive approach to Customer Experience (CX). We’ve built our business on crafting positive, engaging customer experiences at every point in the industrial buyer journey—always starting with the person behind the product.Located in downtown Peoria, Illinois with 150+ Simantelites across 22 states, our team includes researchers, strategists, designers, writers, developers, analysts, and more—all working collaboratively to help brands connect meaningfully with their audiences.Why Intern at Simantel?- Opportunity to learn and grow in your field of interest
- Direct contact with agency leadership
- Mentorship with experienced professionals in the Insights discipline
- Fun, fast-paced environment focused on people and learning
- Potential to secure a permanent position upon graduation
As Research Intern, my objective is:- Support the agency’s research initiatives through assistance with planning, data collection, and analysis
- Learn how to execute and monitor research studies, including surveys and interviews
- Collaborate on the development of research instruments and methodologies
- Help prepare findings and recommendations that guide strategy and creative work
- Contribute to ongoing efforts to understand audiences, markets, and brand perceptions
The outcomes I need to produce for the agency are:- Assist with survey programming, testing, and monitoring
- Support qualitative research efforts such as interview scheduling and note-taking
- Help organize and summarize findings in reports and presentations
- Maintain project documentation and timelines to ensure research stays on track
- Be a proactive, positive team player supporting Simantel’s Insights team
To produce these outcomes, I need to:- Be detail-oriented and eager to learn research best practices
- Communicate effectively with internal teams and external partners
- Ask questions and contribute ideas during meetings
- Manage my schedule to meet deadlines and deliver work on time
- Maintain accuracy and confidentiality in handling data
The skills and abilities I require are:- Must be a current student enrolled in a college or university program
- Pursuing a degree in Marketing, Business, Communications, Psychology, or related field
- Strong analytical, written, and verbal communication skills
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
- Interest in data analysis tools (SPSS, R, or similar) preferred
- Organized, reliable, and collaborative
- Passion for learning about consumer insights and market research methods
Schedule for the Spring Internship:Start Date: Wednesday, January 14, 2026
End Date: Minimum of 9 weeks (ideally through April 30, 2026) with potential flexibility to extend longer- Working schedule: up to 28 hours per week, in-person at our Peoria, IL office
- Typical days: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday between 8 a.m.– 4 p.m.
- We are flexible to accommodate class schedules; Mondays/Fridays are optional
Application Information
The application deadline is November 21, 2025. Applications will be reviewed by the Internship Hiring Team, and all applicants will be contacted no later than December 3, 2025.Equal Opportunity Employer
We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage anyone interested to apply and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Simantel is not currently hiring individuals for this position who require sponsorship under U.S. immigration laws to be lawfully employed.
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