InternViews: Shannon Lorusso

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

Shannon Lorusso is a public relations master’s student with a journalism BA working with Cox Enterprises this summer as the internal communications intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Provide a brief overview of your role and its associated responsibilities. 

I’m part of the Corporate Communications team at Cox Enterprises, helping share stories and updates with Cox employees across the company. That includes writing internal content, contributing to newsletters, supporting existing campaigns and helping launch new ones. Each day brings a different project from one of my five managers, which keeps things fun and interesting!

What opportunities did you have during your internship?

Over the past few weeks, I’ve worked on a variety of projects, including wellness initiatives, conservation campaigns and intern programming. I’ve also had the chance to sit in on team meetings, contribute to brainstorm sessions and get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to keep a corporate communications team running smoothly.

One of the most rewarding parts has been getting to contribute to campaigns I truly care about. I’ve always felt drawn to supporting the people who make an organization thrive. Being part of this team with such encouraging and supportive managers has been an incredibly meaningful learning experience. 

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

I’ve been helping build out the internal messaging for an upcoming wellness and benefits campaign, and even though it’s still in progress, it’s already been a really rewarding experience. One of my managers has led a lot of the strategy and direction, and I’ve learned so much from seeing how she approaches content planning and collaboration. I’ve supported this initiative by writing copy, gathering resources and helping bring the pieces together. Knowing that employees will engage with it once it launches makes the work feel especially meaningful. 

How has the Grady curriculum prepared you for this internship?

In general, I feel like UGA has prepared me so well for this experience. Honestly, I don’t even know where to start. From the networking skills I’ve developed to the versatility that comes from a journalism background, UGA has shaped me into a true jack-of-all-trades. My coursework and hands-on experience laid the foundation for everything I’m doing now. It’s been exciting to see it all come to life in a real-world setting. I also discovered a passion for giving back to the people of an organization in my time at UGA. Whether through student affairs or my time working for Grady, that same passion continues to guide me in this role.

Did you receive any mentorship or guidance? How did it impact your experience? 

Definitely! I went for this position after reaching out to the previous intern, who was also a Double Dawg master’s student at Grady. She was so kind and supportive throughout the whole process. Once I started, I quickly realized that Cox really feels like a community. From my amazing lead manager who’s been welcoming since day one to the coffee chats I’ve had with my mentor through Cox’s Intern Mentoring program, I’m truly grateful for all the support, even just these first few weeks.

If you’re reading this and wondering whether to reach out to someone to network, I promise it’s worth it. Most people are happy to grab a quick coffee and chat. Networking is everything. And if no one has told you yet, use UGA as a touchpoint; it opens so many doors.

What challenges have you overcome in this role? 

Something that has been different is adjusting to the corporate environment and communication style, especially since my previous roles were all at UGA or in Athens. Transitioning means learning new terminology, workflows and expectations to align with the team’s goals. I am also working on how I manage competing priorities. This experience has already strengthened my adaptability and professional communication skills.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you gained from your experience? 

Some of the best advice I got was during orientation at Cox. With a large intern class of around 150 interns, the Early Careers team encouraged us to make the most of our summer. Since then, I’ve been saying yes to every opportunity I can, including intern events, volunteer activities and getting involved in the Cox community. I also took on a role as a communications lead for the Intern Planning Committee, which has been a great way to stay connected and help bring people together. The best way to learn during an internship is to make the most of it and soak in the moments along the way!

How has this internship influenced your future career?

This internship has really shaped how I’m thinking about entering the workforce next January. Seeing how internal communications play such a key role in keeping employees informed, connected and engaged has sparked a strong interest in that space. I’ve also seen how meaningful it is to work at a company that genuinely values and supports its people. It’s made me realize that I want to pursue a career in communications, or a related field, at a company with a strong culture and a real commitment to its employees.

Editor: Lily Alarcon, lia52467@uga.edu