Grady InternViews: Tyler Johnson

This is part of a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their summer internship experience.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I spend my time working on multiple projects for The Atlanta Press Club and Saporta Report. I am also responsible for helping to generate new clients while coming up with new ideas for APC and Saporta Report. My typical day starts with a meeting from my amazing boss Paula Hovater. I always refer to her as my “work grandmother” because she is so inspirational and is constantly teaching me new things about the industry. After our always-interesting daily meetings are over, I am responsible for sending out countless emails and making sure that I am keeping up with all the sponsorship information in our filing systems and Zoom meetings I must attend with sponsors almost every day during the work week. Some of the companies we work with are Coca-Cola, UPS, Delta, Chick-fil-A, Bloomberg, CNN and the local Atlanta television stations, just to name a few. I have found that this job is a 24/7 type of job. I always find myself working from the moment I wake up to the time I go to bed, but I love every second of it.

What has been the biggest growth you’ve experienced so far?

The biggest growth I have experienced has been the ability to connect with new people through a screen. I am normally very good at networking face-to-face with individuals, but I have learned how to make a lasting impression on people through emails and video calls.

Do you have any tips for making lasting virtual impressions?

Make genuine connections with people you are speaking to. Once there is a genuine connection, interviews and work meetings tend to flow and you will be more memorable.

What is your advice for other students looking to take on a similar role? 

Students should be ready to work. Having a strong work ethic will take students far in their career and they must be ready to work 24/7 to make it far within their field.