This is part of a series where we ask Grady College students to describe their summer internship experience. This series was coordinated and produced by Ashley Balsavias, the 2022 summer Yarbrough-Grady Fellow in the College’s Communications office.
Journalism student Julia Walkup was a newsroom editorial intern with CNN this summer. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“Take advantage of all the hands-on opportunities that UGA offers for student journalists. This means getting involved with The Red & Black, Newsource, or anything else that can get you physical proof of your talent. Coming out of college with an impressive portfolio or reel will set you apart from the beginning.”
“It is important to always work hard. Whether it is a group or individual project, it can sometimes become difficult to see the end goal in the classroom when assignments, quizzes and tests are piling up. This internship has reinforced to me that both patience and dedication are important, and that putting in the work in the beginning leads to reaping the rewards at the end.”
Advertising student Jonathan Wood interned as a real estate and development projects intern with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Journalism major DonA Traylor-Askew interned with ESPN this summer (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias).“The classes I have taken in the Grady Sports Media Institute couldn’t have prepared me better for the work I’d have the chance to do with ESPN. Hands-on work editing feature packages and learning to take quick direction and think on my feet from classes like Sportsource had me as ready as could be.”
“The most valuable lesson I have learned is how to ask the right questions and then expand on your client’s answers as much as you can. Proactive questioning is better than a one-sided conversation. Do not be afraid to ask questions, and when your client responds, ask ‘What else?’.”
Advertising student Edward Feininger is a graphic design intern for The Edge Agency (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Madison Greer is a public relations student and MAIP fellow, interning for MSL. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that to be successful, you have to take initiative and be your own advocate. I have learned a lot and gotten new opportunities by not being afraid to speak up and ask questions or reach out to new people.”
“I have found that – despite being an intern – not being afraid to share my thoughts and ideas is greatly appreciated, and even encouraged. In this role, my voice definitely matters, and it has made me realize that the ideas I have and my opinions should be and are valued by my coworkers!”
Advertising student Luke Yearwood is interning in Atlanta this summer as a marketing intern for the Chick-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Integrated ADPR graduate student Frankie Barnes is an events programming intern for BSE Global. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“My classes at Grady have prepared me for my internship by giving me confidence in my professional skills. When I have a task at work, I know that Grady has given me the skills I need to succeed and to trust that I know what I am doing.”
“Take advantage of all the opportunities Grady provides! Making connections with past and current Grady students is so valuable. Utilize LinkedIn and try to set up informational interviews with alumni. Joining student organizations within Grady and attending events also gives you experiences that can open doors to similar opportunities!”
Advertising student Sophia Kwan is an account management intern for Chemistry in Atlanta. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Entertainment and media studies student Darby Taylor has two internships this summer, one with Temple Hill Entertainment and another with the Producer's Guild of America. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“Networking is the best way to get your foot in the industry. Start reaching out to UGA alumni and other industry professionals as soon as possible, such as through LinkedIn or the UGA Mentor Program. When reaching out, it’s best to be authentic, intentional and respectful. Be honest, do your research beforehand, and thank people for their time. Although it can be scary, people want to help you and give advice based on their own experiences in the industry.”
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned while going through the internship recruitment process is that you should always apply for that “dream” role even if you don’t check off every single requirement. Skills can be learned, but you and all that you bring to the table simply can’t. Use your resources and take full advantage of your network.”
Advertising major Caleb Smathers is a project management intern for Cox Communications. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Journalism student William Daughtry is reporting for The Current, and interning in Savannah, Georgia this summer. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“My favorite part has definitely been the process of it all. Actually contributing in a newsroom gives me a sense of belonging. Interviewing people on the street has to be the most exhilarating thing I have done because the interviews are so spontaneous and it gives you a raw, uncut version of how someone feels.”
“Connecting with your coworkers is so important. You learn so much from being in the office, interacting with all your colleagues, and creating a company culture. It makes the work more enjoyable once you get to know your team better in all aspects.”
Simi Shetty is a rising fourth year public relations student interning with W.P. Carey as a corporate communications intern. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Demi Lehman is participating in the Grady L.A. field study program, and has two internships this summer. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do more than you’re required to. Your supervisors want you to learn and make the most of your time, so they will appreciate it when you take initiative.”
“Many students miss out on amazing opportunities because they count themselves out before ever trying. My advice is to never walk away from an opportunity because of a fear or doubt that you’re not enough.”
Ciera Walker, a journalism major pursuing the sports media certificate, is interning remotely for ESPN. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Austin Clark, a rising 4th year public relations student, is interning at the office of Senator Jon Ossoff in Washington D.C. this summer. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“I have been able to see how a Senate office is able to create and maintain relationships with journalists in Georgia. There is not an emphasis on national publications, but the communications team will target specific releases to markets to which the news is relevant. Seeing that deliberative process, as opposed to a mass email, has been interesting to learn.”
“I have been pleasantly surprised by how intentionally Nickelodeon has crafted their internship program. They truly want interns to learn during their time here so that they can succeed in their future careers.”
Christine Yared, an entertainment and media studies student, is interning on the preschool team at Nickelodeon Animation this summer. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Erin Riney, an emerging media master's student, is a project management intern at Luckie & Company. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“For those who want to pursue a career in advertising, I would suggest working in an agency at least once. Even if you decide that you want to work on the client side, agency life challenges you and causes you to grow extremely quickly.”
“I think what’s most surprising is the trust that they’ve placed in me as an intern. I think that it’s really important when they place trust in you, because it allows you to grow and to see where your interests lie.”
Journalism major Dania Kalaji is interning with the Bay City News Foundation this summer as part of the Dow Jones internship program. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Fourth year public relations major Caroline Parlantieri is interning at the Nashville Soccer Club as a public relations communications intern. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“The relationships I have created with my Grady professors and other staff members have guided me through this process immensely. Their experience, expertise, advice, guidance and encouragement have prepared me and allowed me to thrive.”
“You’ll find that wherever you end up, you’ll get experience that is maybe a little outside of your comfort zone or something that you didn’t initially sign up to do while you were there – which is a good thing.”
Jack Casey, a rising third year entertainment and media studies student, is interning as a visual journalist for The Oglethorpe Echo. (Photo: submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Kathryn Miller says the skills she's learned at Grady have prepared her for her current role as a social media intern for Green Olive Media. (Photo: submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“Grady classes helped me prepare for this internship by teaching me about target audiences, brand voices and social media analytics – all of which are critical for successful social media engagement.”
“Sometimes you just have to walk in the room and act like you own it. You may not know what to do, and that’s okay. You can figure out the logistics later, but don’t let anyone stop you from getting that perfect shot, the best angle for a video, and don’t be afraid to communicate with players.”
LJ sits in the Red Bull Arena, where he is interning with the New York Red Bulls as a digital and social content intern this summer. (Photo: submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)
Alex Anteau, a health and medical journalism master's student, is interning with the Athens Banner-Herald this summer. (Photo:submitted, graphic by Ashley Balsavias)“Be a self-starter. Get familiar with the beat you’re working in and practice writing and reporting in your downtime.”
The 2021 InternView series was coordinated and produced by Sam Perez, the 2021 summer Yarbrough-Grady Fellow in the College’s Communications office.
Drew Hubbard is working in Nashville, TN this summer as a Digital and Social Media Intern. (Photos: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“Going back to Athens, I’ll know better how to work with other people on projects and combine my ideas with their ideas to do our best possible work together. Grady classes are a lot of collaborative work, and I’ll be able to work and communicate with others better because of this experience.”
“My biggest growth over the summer has been gaining more confidence in my skillset and abilities. I’ve learned so much about paid social and I’ve learned how to do things more confidently! ”
Nhilynn Nguyen is spending her summer working as a Social Strategy Intern under the Paid Social team for dentsu X. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)
Sara Camuso is a rising senior public relations major interning at Georgia Ports Authority this summer. (Photos: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“Being in a real communications environment has helped me see a bigger picture of what I would like to do one day. It is nice to see what I have learned in classes play a role in this work setting.”
“My biggest challenge was trying to balance football, summer classes and my internship. I learned the value of organization and rest and recovery to better my performance. No matter how hard you work or how organized you are, if you do not prioritize some time for your body and mind to rest, you will not operate at peak performance.”
Rising senior Matthew Brown is working as a Communications Intern at Nike, Inc. this summer. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)
Ciara Pysczynski has two opportunities this summer. She is working as a Film PR Intern for PR Collaborative and a Communications Intern for NP Agency. (Photos: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“I have a lot more confidence in my ability to do this work now, and a much better idea of how I fit into the world of PR. As I finish out my Grady coursework, I’ll be able to think about how the work I’m doing would fit in the context of what I did at NP and PRC.”
“Step out of your comfort zone and don’t let the location of an internship avert you from tackling the opportunity of a lifetime. You never know where it may lead you.”
Hallie Turner worked in Washington, D.C. as a Congressional Intern at the United States House of Representatives for the first part of the summer. She is now interning with The Joy FM radio station for the remainder of the summer. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez) 
Amari Tillman is working as a Strategy Intern for Weber Shandwick NYC this summer. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“The analytics or software certifications and research you do for classes helps a lot with the role. It helps to have fundamental knowledge in how to conduct research and ask meaningful questions because it will help you think like a strategist.“
“Communicate! It sounds kind of silly from a communications intern, but talk to your supervisors and your co-workers. Tell them how you’re doing, what you can do for the team and what you need from them.”
Caroline Kurzawa is working for Lockheed Martin this summer as an intern in the integrated communications department for Enterprise Operations. (Photo: submitted / Graphics by Sam Perez)
Valentina Drake is spending her summer working as an intern for Georgia Power Company. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“My biggest growth is my creativity. I brainstorm new ideas every day and this role has really pushed me in terms of how I think. My company posts almost every day, that’s a lot of content! It takes time, effort and new ideas to keep the stories engaging and fun for our customers.”
“My classes and professors at Grady have done a great job preparing me for this internship. In my PAC class, we practice writing a variety of releases, briefs, etc. — a lot of things that I’m working on right now! And when I have to fact check information or craft social posts, I know I’m using skills from my journalism classes.”
Megan Mittelhammer is a rising senior journalism major with a minor in political science and a certificate in public affairs communications. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)
Alise Crittendon is a rising senior advertising major interning at FCB Chicago this summer. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“The biggest growth I’ve experienced this summer is confidence. From coming up with original ideas to pitching them in front of high-level executives, this has been a major transition for me, and has allowed me to discover what my strengths and weaknesses are and how to capitalize off those. I feel 10x more prepared to go into the industry after my experience with MAIP and FCB Chicago.”
“Being able to work in a journalistic capacity covering a political issue is very rewarding and I like to think I am already making a difference.”
Chandler Rebel, a journalism and political science double major, is working in Washington, D.C. this summer. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)
Morgan Gonzales is working for the Dallas Morning News as a Medicine and Science Reporting Fellow. (Photos: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“I’ll definitely be utilizing the lessons I’ve learned with my writing in the future. But also flexibility, I’ve learned stories don’t always go the direction I think they will, and my day often goes in a different direction than I anticipate. The stories that surprise me are usually the best.”
“Throughout the day, I assist producers and anchors with any stories they may be working on. We also have at minimum two daily meetings with the entire Southeast bureau team and ad hoc thereafter. The job involves a lot of researching, writing and cold calling to get the right facts!”
Abbey Clark is working as a Ted Turner Maverick Intern at CNN. This summer, she is working virtually from her home in Michigan. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)
Diego Wong and Crysta Jones are both interning remotely with Wunderman Thompson Health this summer. (Photos: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)Jones: “I’m going to steal advice from the founder of Cultivate: Don’t be a wallflower! Put yourself out there.”
Wong: “By participating in this internship, I have confirmed that my desired career path is in advertising because I enjoy every aspect of it.”
“Take the leap of faith, and honestly just do it. Talk to people. There’s so many resources out there and other people readily available to help you with any and everything. No question is stupid. The world of advertising has the best environment, and that’s what drew me in from the start.”
Grace Yeo is a rising senior advertising major interning at Rogers Townsend through the MAIP Fellowship Program. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)
Abigail Childers is working for the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, also referred to as the International Emmy Awards. (Photo: submitted / Graphics by Sam Perez)“Exposure to international content and contacts this early in my life will definitely have a positive impact on my view of the entertainment industry as a whole as I pursue my career.”
“I feel like Grady was my first step into getting me out of my comfort zone. I took a leap going into this major and into this industry. Now that I am in it, I want it more than I did before. It has been a dream come true to get to see the things I can only experience here at Grady.”
Caitlin Vinson is working remotely as an intern for The Bert Show this summer. (Photo: submitted / Graphics by Sam Perez)
Jake Strickland is interning for the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization. (Photo: submitted, Graphics by Sam Perez)“Match the company culture. Being an intern can be nerve racking, but don’t be a robot – be someone co-workers want to converse with, because this will only increase the chance of you networking and landing a job!”
“I will take many lessons back with me in the fall, but the most important is to be resilient. Resiliency is always knowing there is a way and not getting discouraged when something does not go as planned. “
Rising senior Tyler Johnson is spending his summer interning for The Atlanta Press Club and Saporta Report. (Photo: submitted / Graphics by Sam Perez)
EMST major Kate Sullivan is working as a video intern for The Gwinnett Daily Post this summer. (Photo: submitted / Graphics by Sam Perez)“My advice to other students looking to take on a similar role is just don’t hesitate to reach out to those opportunities that may seem far away or not as fun or impossible to get. “