Marketing Associate Intern (Happy Mushroom Co + Drink Happy, Pack Intern, Summer 2026)

SUMMER 2026 

**This internship is a joint opportunity hosted by Happy Mushroom Co. and Drink Happy and is sponsored by the Nevada Career Studio (NCS). 

Students are highly encouraged to visit the Nevada Career Studio during our drop-in hours or use our Virtual Resume & Cover Letter Review service BEFORE applying for these positions. Resumes and cover letters that do not meet NCS expectations will not be included in applicant packages to employers.   

Happy Mushroom Co. 

About Happy Mushroom Co.: 

Happy Mushroom Co. (HMC) is a mission-driven functional mushroom company dedicated to producing high-quality, research-backed mushroom products that support cognitive performance, immune health, energy, and overall wellness. We specialize in cultivating and formulating premium mushroom extracts, including lion’s mane, turkey tail, cordyceps, reishi, and chaga. 

Rooted in both traditional wisdom and modern science, our work goes beyond supplements. Our mission is to inspire a more connected, healthy, and vibrant lifestyle—one that empowers people to live more positive and impactful lives while deepening their relationship with nature. We achieve this through intentional sourcing, rigorous quality standards, thoughtful branding and education, and sustainable initiatives integrated throughout our operations. 

Drink Happy 

About Drink Happy: 

Drink Happy (DBA SUM Fungtional) is a sparkling functional beverage brand built around the idea that daily rituals should both taste great and serve a purpose. Our beverages combine refreshing sparkling water, carefully extracted functional mushrooms, and fruit concentrates to create drinks that support focus, balance, and vitality. With thoughtfully sourced ingredients and clean formulations, SUM Fungtional offers a modern approach to functional refreshment. 

Internship Description: 

The Marketing Associate Intern will assist the CEO in implementing and executing a marketing strategy for Happy Mushroom Co. during Summer 2026. This will include social media management and content creation, newsletter and blog post creation, and Shopify website evaluation and updating. As part of the social media and management, the intern will analyze the effectiveness of different marketing and advertisement through an evaluation structure, with the goal of identifying best marketing practices. The overarching goal of the program is to expand and refine our current marketing sector in a way that increases company sales and effectively conveys company values and brand ethos. 

Drink Happy (DBA SUM Fungtional) is seeking a motivated Marketing Associate Intern to support brand development, marketing initiatives, and product launch activities. This role offers hands-on experience working directly with the founding team on marketing strategy, content creation, community engagement, and brand growth. The intern will gain exposure to the natural food and beverage industry while contributing to real projects that directly impact the company’s growth. 

Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Complete 360 hours of work as an intern (15 hours per week/company, 9-12 weeks) 
• Support and co-manage HMC and Drink Happy social media channels (IG, FB, TikTok) - research and create brand-aligned content based on themes and schedule provided by Supervisor. 
• Happy Mushroom Co Responsibilities 
  • Create and send out monthly newsletters based on structure and themes provided, including monthly promotions. 
  • Research, write, and send out monthly blog posts based on themes provided. 
  • Monthly valuation of website and implementation of any updates that are approved by the Director. 
  • Monthly analytics report of previous months social media strategies that will be used to guide future 
  • content. 
  • End of term evaluation and report on overall marketing strategy. 
  • Weekly meetings with supervisor to check in, overview projects, and get feedback and/or approval of content. 
• Drink Happy Responsibilities 
  • Support marketing campaigns for product launches and promotions 
  • Help coordinate local events, product sampling, and brand activations 
  • Conduct market and competitor research within the functional beverage space 
  • Assist with influencer outreach and partnership development 
  • Support creation of marketing materials, blog content, and brand storytelling 
  • Help gather consumer feedback and product insights 
  • Provide general support for brand growth initiatives and marketing strategy 

Goals and Expectations of the Intern: 

Happy Mushroom Goals 

• Create content that is in alignment with the HMC brand, values, and mission. 
• Create content that leads to increased conversion in sales. 
• Create content that leads to increased brand awareness. 
• Implement valuable analytical tools and provide evaluation of marketing techniques. 
• Add value to HMC marketing strategy by identifying areas of improvement through a creative lens. 
• Be largely self-directed based on the structure and feedback provided by supervisor. 

Drink Happy Goals 

The goal of this internship is to provide the student with meaningful, hands-on experience in building and marketing a consumer beverage brand while contributing real value to the growth of SUM Fungtional. The intern will be expected to take ownership of specific projects, contribute creative ideas, and assist with executing marketing initiatives. 

Key expectations include: 

• Supporting the development and execution of social media and marketing campaigns 
• Assisting with content creation and brand storytelling 
• Helping coordinate product launches, events, and sampling opportunities 
• Conducting market research and gathering consumer insights 
• Contributing ideas that support brand growth and community engagement 

By the end of the internship, the student will gain practical experience in startup marketing, consumer brand development, and the functional beverage industry, while helping SUM Fungtional expand its reach and connect with new audiences. 

Required Qualifications: 

• Must be a degree-seeking undergraduate OR graduate student at the University of Nevada, Reno after the Spring ‘26 semester  
• Spring ‘26 or earlier graduates are not eligible for the Wolf Pack STEM Internship Program 
• Student must be enrolled in a major or minor program in the following colleges: 
  • Agriculture, Biotechnology, and Natural Resources (CABNR) 
  • Business 
  • Engineering 
  • Science 
  • Public Health/Orvis 
• Coursework in marketing, business, entrepreneurship or related area of study 
• Interest in startups, consumer brands, mushrooms, or the food & beverage industry 
• Ability to think creatively about the development of content that captures the ethos of HMC and Drink Happy. 
• Familiarity with social media platforms and content trends 
• Familiarity and ability to use or learn Canva, videography/photography equipment, video editing apps, Kaviyo Email Marketing, and social media channels (IG, FB, TikTok). 
• Capacity for researching and writing cohesive and creative copy surrounding mushrooms and our products. 
• Creative thinker with strong written and communication skills 
• Ability to work well in a team setting 
• Organized, proactive, and comfortable working in a fast-paced environment 
• Ability to follow guidance, instructions, and meet deadlines. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Ability to think critically and outside of the box in ways that can create value for HMC and Drink Happy, even beyond the direct guidance of the director. 
• Experience working in marketing or a related field 
• Familiarity or interest in mushrooms, health, and wellness. 
• Passion for health, wellness, sustainability, or functional foods 

Desired Schedule for Intern: 

One weekly meeting on Mondays or Tuesdays (AM). Remote and flexible beyond that. 

This internship requires interns to complete 360 hours during their internship. It is the intern’s responsibility to ensure this requirement is met.