Grady InternViews: Knox Gaines

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

Knox Gaines is a fourth-year double dawg public relations and advertising student working with See.Spark.Go as a Public Relations and Social Media Intern. Read on as he provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and its associated responsibilities.

I’m working as a PR/Social Media Intern at See.Spark.Go this summer. My responsibilities vary day to day but generally speaking, I assist in the creation of social media and PR plans as well as proactive engagement on social media platforms.

What opportunities did you have during your internship?

I’ve had the opportunity to work with recognizable brands like Carrabba’s and Bruxie. Seeing content I’ve created shown to such large audiences is a really cool feeling.

What skills and knowledge have you gained from your internship?

Every day at See.Spark.Go has given me the chance to work on something new. My graphic design skills and understanding of AP style are some that stand out.

What is one piece of work you are proud of creating in this role?

During my first week, I went in person to film an Instagram Reel for Bruxie. I’ve worked on similar projects since, but I was especially proud that I got to go on-site so early in my internship.

How did you find out about this internship?

A friend of mine was an intern in the past and posted about See.Spark.Go looking for summer interns.

What challenges have you overcome in this role?

Being in a professional work environment brought on a massive case of impostor syndrome. Even though everyone at See.Spark.Go was not much older than me, I felt out of place as a college student. Within a week or two, though, I felt like I was really able to find my footing here. The team is so helpful and open to questions, and I truly feel like a valued member of the team.

How has the Grady curriculum you’ve taken prepared you for this internship?

Tom Cullen’s class helped me during the application process when I had to create a mock campaign for a client. I had done a very similar project in class with Tom and used his feedback to craft my application campaign. The knowledge I gained from that class truly helped me stand out as an applicant.

Who is one Grady Professor who has inspired you?

Dr. Hudson! She was my introduction to journalism professor and has truly made an impact on my professional and personal life. She treats every student with such care and enthusiasm and has been there for me long after I completed her class. I truly cannot thank her enough for her advice over the years.

What advice would you give to someone looking to apply to similar internships?

Be bold with your application! There are so many amazing people in this industry, so if given the option to be creative with your application, be creative!

How has this internship influenced your future career?

I am still relatively new here, but this internship is helping me decide if I want to go the agency route or work in-house for a company.