You’ve seen the TikToks. The bright yellow soda cans, the Coachella house that looked like a neon fever dream, and Alix Earle basically living the life every marketing major dreams of. But lately, there is a massive amount of noise surrounding the Poppi x Alix Earle internship. People are scrambling to figure out if it's a real job, a PR stunt, or just a very clever way to get college students to post more content for free.
Honestly, it’s a bit of all three, but the reality is way more professional than the "Hot Mess" aesthetic suggests.
Is the Poppi x Alix Earle Internship Even Real?
Let’s clear the air. Yes, it is a real, legitimate program. Poppi didn't just throw Alix’s name on a landing page for clout. They actually built a summer program designed for college juniors and seniors who are obsessed with the CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) world.
The internship—often nicknamed the "Alixternship" by fans—isn't just about sitting in a cubicle. It’s a remote-first role that includes some pretty heavy travel perks. We’re talking trips to the Poppi headquarters in Austin, Texas, and appearing at the company’s annual marketing summit. Poppi even picks up the tab for travel expenses, which is a far cry from the "unpaid intern" horror stories we usually hear about in the entertainment industry.
What You Actually Do All Day
If you think you're just getting coffee for Alix Earle, you’re mistaken. She’s an investor in the company, not the HR manager. The role is deeply embedded in the brand marketing and PR teams.
- Content Creation: You aren't just making "a" TikTok; you're helping architect the "Poppi vibe" across social channels.
- Event Strategy: Remember the Poppi Mart or the Coachella activations? Interns get a front-row seat to how those massive experiential marketing events actually get built from the ground up.
- CPG Education: You learn the boring (but vital) stuff too. Distribution, shelf placement, and why a specific shade of "soda neon" makes people buy a drink at Target.
The "Alix" part of the internship comes from the proximity to her brand. The intern is essentially a liaison between the high-level influencer world and the corporate marketing machine. It’s about learning how Alix Earle turned a prebiotic soda into a lifestyle accessory.
Why Everyone Is Obsessed With the "Alixternship"
The hype isn't just about the soda. It’s about the Alix Earle effect. When she partnered with Poppi for Coachella, the brand saw a 200% boost in sales. That isn't just a "collaboration"—it's a market shift.
Students want this internship because it’s one of the few places where "being good at TikTok" is treated like a high-level business skill rather than a hobby. Poppi looks for people who are already "Poppi-obsessed." They want the person in the friend group who hosts the powerpoint nights and already has a fridge stocked with Strawberry Lemonade cans.
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How to Actually Get In (It’s Competitive)
Applications usually run through Typeform or the official Poppi University portal. For the 2026 cycle, things have become even tighter.
They don't just want a resume that says you worked at a local smoothie shop. They want a "vibe check." The application process typically requires a social media video explaining why you’re ready for a career in brand marketing.
If your TikTok feed is dry and your LinkedIn is a desert, you’re probably not getting a callback. They are looking for "creators who happen to be business majors."
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The Requirements You Can't Ignore:
- Academic Standing: Usually reserved for juniors and seniors.
- Major: Marketing, Business, or PR/Advertising are the big ones.
- Social Proof: You need to show you understand how to make things go viral.
The Misconception About "Influencer Internships"
There is a lot of skepticism. Some people think these internships are just a way for brands to get cheap labor from fans. While it’s true that you’ll be working hard, the networking value here is insane.
Poppi was recently valued at nearly $2 billion before rumors of a PepsiCo acquisition started swirling. Being able to put "Marketing Intern at Poppi" on your resume in 2026 is like having "Google" on there in 2010. It tells every other CPG brand that you know how to talk to Gen Z.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Alixterns
If you're eyeing the next cohort, don't wait for the application to open in June. You need to start building your case now.
- Audit Your Socials: If a recruiter at Poppi looks at your Instagram or TikTok, would they see someone who understands brand aesthetic? Start posting like you’re already an ambassador.
- Join Poppi University: Poppi has a separate campus ambassador program. This is the "minor leagues" for the internship. If you can prove you can move product on your local campus, the internship application becomes a lot easier.
- Master the CPG Language: Start reading about "retail media" and "omnichannel marketing." When you get to the interview, talking about "prebiotic benefits" is cool, but talking about "market penetration" is what gets you hired.
The window for the Spring 2026 Ambassador program has already closed, but the Fall 2026 applications usually reopen in the summer. Keep your eye on the "Poppi University" page. That’s where the real magic happens.
Ultimately, this internship isn't just a summer job—it's a masterclass in the new era of "Casual Marketing." Whether you love the soda or just want Alix’s career, the path starts with proving you can blend business with a "Get Ready With Me" video.
Next Steps for Future Applicants:
- Follow the Founders: Follow Allison Ellsworth on LinkedIn and TikTok. She often drops hints about what the brand is looking for before the jobs go live.
- Build a Portfolio: Don't just list your skills; show them. Create a mock campaign for a new Poppi flavor and post it. Tag them.
- Network with Past Interns: Look up former Poppi interns on LinkedIn. Ask them what the interview was actually like. Most people are surprisingly willing to give advice if you don't sound like a bot.