Tag: internships

Grady InternViews: Xinge Lei

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Xinge is a fourth-year public relations student interning with Sahiyo as a social media and communications intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I’m currently working as the social media and communications intern for Sahiyo, a non-profit, female-led organization focused on ending the practice of female genital cutting/mutilation (FGC/M) worldwide. Some of my responsibilities include generating graphics and captions for social media, scheduling posts, organizing the website, working with other team members on special campaigns, writing content for the blog, attending bi-weekly meetings with my supervisor and completing monthly reports.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

My internship is remote and lasts six months. This works well for me, as I’m traveling abroad for the summer to visit family. I have a main supervisor, the Sahiyo communications coordinator, whom I regularly communicate with over e-mail and Zoom.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

My biggest challenge working with Sahiyo (and probably every other organization) is finding the right balance in creative executions. What I mean by that is curating content from my own artistic insights while maintaining the organization’s existing aesthetic. Everything I create must be reviewed by other executives before publication, and a lot of it eventually gets altered. Through this process, I’ve learned about the style of posts that they prefer, and have worked hard to present more “fitting” content. Understanding that balance but also voicing my own ideas can be difficult, since I’m relatively new. However, the team is very supportive and easy-going, which makes me feel comfortable in speaking my mind (respectively, of course).

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!
Group selfie
Lei is involved with Women in Media as a content creator. (Photo: Submitted)

The topic of FGC/M can be shocking, to say the least, for those of us outside of practicing communities. Although I’ve heard about it before, I’ve never researched it in detail or listened to personal accounts. The survivor stories from Sahiyo are incredibly emotional but inspiring at the same time. The truth is, FGC/M takes root from misogyny, patriarchy and inequality. Understanding the cultural context, the reasonings despite how disturbed they may be, is key to change. While it is difficult for me, (mentally and physically) at times, to listen to these stories, they are so important. I have so much admiration for these girls and women because even through their trauma, they are able to stand up for those who are suffering in silence.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

Several classes and clubs at Grady have helped prepare me, especially my PR communications course. In class, we focused on content creation across platforms, PR writing, and presentation/interview skills, all of which proved useful both in the process of finding the internship and fulfilling its tasks.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Ask yourself if this role makes sense for you, personally and professionally. Do your values align? Do your past experiences fit with the expectations? Be honest with yourself when researching a company, and don’t make the assumption that more applications equate to more opportunities. Be intentional! Spend your time wisely during the process.

How will this role guide your future career path?

The responsibilities of this internship have demonstrated to me various hard and soft skills needed in the PR/media industry. They’re equally important: time management is just as necessary as software knowledge. This role has helped me distinguish and understand what skills I may need most in the fields that I’m interested in, as well as improve upon them.

What’s your career goal?

I want to work as an editorial designer for an art or lifestyle magazine!

Photo of a bridge and a tree lit up with purple lights and the back of a person looking at the bridge.
Lei enjoys the creativity in the public relations field and is excited to continue putting her skills to use. (Photo: Submitted)
What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

Take heart with all entrusted projects, be mindful of other people’s time and always share your visions.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

I don’t think the role helped me discover, but rather, reinforced my passion. I love artistic expression and storytelling, always have. The problem is, I didn’t have confidence in my own abilities. This internship opportunity allowed me to put these skills (and many others) in practice, for a vital cause too. I’m grateful for that.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Don’t be so hard on yourself!

 

Grady InternViews: Heaven Robinson

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Heaven Robinson is an Emerging Media Masters student working with Breaktime Media as a visual design intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I am a Visual Design Intern at Breaktime Media. This is a company that produces bite-sized digital content to help shoppers decide what to buy and where to buy it. I am mainly responsible for creating campaign graphics and advertising collateral for sponsored, interactive experiences for consumer goods companies like General Mills, Mars and Unilever. These experiences live on Breaktime’s platform, dailybreak.com, which is viewed by 36 million users per month. My other responsibilities include developing editorial content for dailybreak.com and supporting the creative and marketing teams whenever needed.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

This role is a remote, part-time internship. I was able to set my own schedule, so I work from home Monday through Friday averaging around 24 hours a week. I usually start each day in a campaign stand-up meeting where the team goes through each campaign’s progress and shares any updates. From there, I receive assignments from the Visual Design Lead and Associate which include making edits to graphics based on client feedback and creating banner ads to support campaigns. Because it’s a remote position, I participate in a lot of virtual meetings and working sessions, screen sharing designs and web layouts, and regularly connect with the team through Slack.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

I would say the biggest challenge has been figuring out how to work with their in-house CMS. Breaktime Media hosts two domains, dailybreak.com and bestdailyrecipes.com, through their custom CMS where teams go in and upload content. It was awkward using it at first as I didn’t know what certain fields and buttons did and how it would affect the front end. But in overcoming that challenge, I always made sure to ask questions and speak with people from both the creative and development teams for insight on certain issues.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!

My favorite part so far has been working on a bunch of familiar brands and seeing the variety of campaigns that Breaktime Media is a part of. For instance, I worked on graphics and banner ads for Oreo, Skittles and Pillsbury crescent rolls during my first couple of weeks. And actually, when I was interviewing for the job, the design assignment was to create a landing page and banner ads for a mock Pillsbury campaign. Then a few weeks later, I had the opportunity to create website graphics and animated banner ads for the actual Pillsbury campaign that’s running live now! Overall, it’s fun working with the different branding materials and creating layouts for products that you see in stores or in your kitchen at home.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

My classes at Grady prepared me for the internship by teaching me the importance of understanding consumers and keeping them top of mind when making decisions regarding creative messaging and design. It’s easy to only focus on achieving client objectives and implementing their feedback, but I’ve found that the most effective work is created once you truly know who the target is and what matters to them. Plus, courses like Graphic Communications and New Media Design taught me the best practices when designing for digital spaces, and introduced me to industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Cloud and Figma.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?
Photo of Heaven Robinson holding a microphone presenting at Talking Dog's Battle of the Brands.
Talking Dog Agency hosted its Annual Battle of the Brands competition where the agency’s top three campaigns battled it out for top bragging rights. In the end, Nebo’s The Rescue Pledge won, beating out a campaign for Arby’s and Cox Enterprises.
Photo: Sarah E. Freeman

Apply, apply, apply. You really have to put yourself out there and make yourself available for opportunities. Also, in creative roles, your portfolio is super important, so put a lot of effort into your work and how you present it. People typically see your portfolio and resume before they talk to you, so it’s crucial to make a good first impression and show off your best work. You should also be able to confidently talk through your past experiences and process as you’ll be presenting your work a lot on the job. Group project meetings, presentations in class and club meetings are great places to work on communicating your ideas and building your confidence.

How will this role guide your future career path?

I have always loved design and technology, so I was excited to take on this role that meshes them together so well. I feel that this internship gives me a good foundation and experience working with brands in a digital setting, which is what I hope to continue doing in my career. I have also been exposed to what a positive work environment with such passionate people looks like, and it gives me a reference of what type of culture I will look to be a part of in future roles.

What’s your career goal?

I am always looking to learn more about how brands use visuals and design to connect with audiences, so I hope to explore what that looks like within advertising and marketing in different industries, both agency and client-side. In the near future, I can see myself working as a designer with a variety of clients, in industries ranging from food/packaging to entertainment and media, creating deliverables like campaign graphics for traditional and digital media and presentation decks. Ultimately, I would love to work in advertising and branding, using graphic and UI/UX design to bring a company’s mission to life and contribute to how they tell their stories to the world.

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

Keep up to date with design trends and implement them in my work. For instance, all the banner ads prior to my internship were static, but since animated ads are becoming more popular, we now make all the banner ads gifs. I learned to be flexible and willing to learn and change in order to create more effective designs. I also learned how to be more open to feedback and know how to ask for feedback. There are constant internal and creative reviews and approvals in this role, so it gets easier to ask, receive, and give comments all for the sake of creating a better design. I will for sure seek out feedback more often in my future work.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

I discovered that I enjoy making fun designs that make for an entertaining experience by making both sponsored and editorial content and games for dailybreak.com. Light-hearted content that’s easy to scroll or click through is fun for me to make and for users to enjoy, so this type of work is a win-win. Plus, it’s been really cool creating these digital experiences for familiar brands and their vibrant concepts so I look forward to doing such work in my career.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Live in the moment and journal more. I am constantly planning for the future, and I now realize that I missed out on taking everything in and getting the true essence of those experiences. I was spending a lot of time thinking about the next week, month, and year of my life to the point that I rarely sat there and appreciated what was happening at the present. And by documenting those moments through journaling and photography, I get to relive them all over again.

Grady InternViews: Ethan Henderson

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Ethan Henderson is a fourth-year journalism student working with Sightly as a media strategy intern. Read on as he provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I’m a media strategy intern working for Sightly this summer. The company is based in NYC, however, there isn’t a central office anymore, so I work remotely. I’ve been working 35 hours a week, fully remote, with a good mix of Google Meet video calls in between. Every Thursday morning, the strategy team has a weekly check-in, which is always fun. Fridays at Sightly are called “Summer Fridays” which means we have no meetings, and everyone finishes up their work for the day at noon.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

I assist in the development of media plans for various clients, including research and analysis of target audiences, competitive landscape, media opportunities and delivery. I also help develop client-facing reports, including campaign performance updates, competitive analysis, and insights on industry trends. I utilize Sightly’s own Brand Mentality® tool which involves leveraging AI to aid the creation of RFPs (research for proposals).

My favorite tasks have been the random, out-of-the-blue ones. Sometimes, I’ll hear my Slack notification sound go off and see a new message from Nell, (shout out to Nell, my work bestie). She always has a fun project or task up her sleeve to challenge me. A few weeks back, we were working on a pitch for a campaign with Chicken of the Sea, and I was given the job of scraping the bottom of the TikTok barrel to make a list of tinned fish creators (did you know that was a popular niche? I didn’t!). Well, weeks later, my For You page still has tinned fish content popping up.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
Selfie in front of the Bean in Chicago
Henderson attended the Grady Chicago Field Study and Internship Program while working remotely for Sightly. (Photo: Submitted)

Honestly, not much has gotten in my way this summer. I’ve fallen in love with the people at Sightly through my internship, the city of Chicago, and all the memories I’ve gotten from journeying around Chicago and its many neighborhoods. The biggest challenge has definitely been being away from my Athens friends for such a long time! Patrick, Emma, Jacob, Shirley, Logan, (Nimra, even though you’re in Seattle now), and of course my Mom & the amazing Marty—miss you all so much!

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!

I said it before, and I’ll say it again–the people. The strategy team has been the most welcoming crew I’ve ever experienced in a professional environment. Rachael, my rockstar boss; Jordan, my fellow J.I.D. stan, recent house-egging victim and newly promoted Director of Strategy; and Nell, my work bestie, have all been a massive support. I hope that wherever I end up post-grad, I’ll find myself in an environment with people that are just as cool, kind, communicative, helpful, funny and as awesome as they are. I knew it’d be an amazing fit when interviewing all the way back in May. Every interaction felt like a genuine, enjoyable conversation, rather than an interview. As Nell once said—the strategy team is “all about vibes” when it comes to the chemistry and success intertwined between us, and the vibes have been immaculate.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

My Grady professors always encourage me to take risks, seize opportunities, and never be afraid to put myself out there. When it comes to working at Sightly, I’m never shy to raise my hand, ask about how something works, or find out about what a different team gets up to on a daily basis.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Honestly? If you’re in Grady, you’re likely a more creative-minded person. You shouldn’t think your resume has to be limited to part-time jobs and internships. Think outside of the box. You want to have something that stands out when you present yourself to employers–especially with how daunting the interview process is nowadays. Challenge yourself before you leap into the ‘real’ world. You have to sell these employers on you. Ask yourself—what makes me stand out?

How will this role guide your future career path?

I’ve been able to learn about the intricacies of ad campaigns, audience insights, and how to leverage trends and catch them before they hit markets. I’m getting an inside look into the business of content creation and social media versus simply being one of the consumers within. Now, I’m able to understand the vast world from an insider’s perspective. This will help me leverage its power as I venture onwards on my professional journey and attempt to carve out my voice and my platform to bigger audiences down the line.

What’s your career goal?
Selfie at a baseball game
Henderson attended a White Sox game while living in Chicago for the summer (Photo: Submitted)

I’m a creative at heart, and as much as I’ve loved delving into the strategy side of media this summer, my dream role lies in being a respected writer and content creator at the top of a major platform. That might mean working for an organization I respect such as The Athletic, Pitchfork, or The Ringer where I’d be making content filled to the brim with nostalgia, passion, wit and edge (P.S., check out my Substack @ehendo.substack.com). I want to be a voice that both entertains and informs and become one of the most well-renowned and respected figures in media, in whatever path the future ahead brings me down. Scratch that—I don’t just “want” to be that, I will be. Just give me a few years, alright? 😉

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

For one, I’ll be telling everyone that gives me the time of day that if you haven’t tried a Chicago-style hot dog, you’re missing out. If only everyone could learn about the joys of a poppy seed bun, sport peppers, diced onions, relish, mustard, tomatoes and a dill pickle spear.

Thinking more about school—I’d say that I need to keep my head down, keep churning out work, and utilize as much of the time I have left in undergraduate to make my portfolio look as good as possible. I want to network as much as I can with people at companies or in cities I want to end up in and not fret too much about school itself. The latter part of that may sound extreme, but living in a big city and working in a professional environment helped me realize that I got myself to this place. A reminder to any student out there reading this—you control your future. A degree doesn’t guarantee you security over anything. Make the most of your time in college, or you’ll be left wondering where it all went.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

N/A, to be honest. It’s been a fantastic experience but I’ve known my passions, goals, and dreams for years. It’s been super interesting to be entrenched in the world of media through an organization, working with others, as opposed to working as a creative, in a more self-started space.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Buckle up kid, you’re gonna buzz and bleach your hair after you turn 22 and have the best summer of your life. Don’t change a thing about yourself, and tell Dad to bet a load of money on Leicester City to win the Premier League in 2016.

On a more relevant note, though, I’d be telling young Ethan to never be afraid of failure. The worst thing you can do with an idea, a dream, etc, is to NOT act on it. The more you try, the more you can reflect, learn, and grow.

[Responses have been edited for clarity and conciseness.]

Grady InternViews: Rahel Kefetew

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Rahel Kefetew is a fourth-year Entertainment and Media Studies student working with the Creative Artists Agency as a commercial endorsements intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I work in the Commercial Endorsements department at CAA. The agents in CE work by pitching clients for brand deals and endorsements and making sure that these brands fit their already made image. One of my responsibilities this summer has been creating sub rosters of niche interests that allow agents to zero in on a characteristic or interest and see what clients match. This further allows them to find a more natural fit for brands.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

I work a 9-6 and every week, and I rotate to another desk in the department. Each agent has their niche fields within CE. One week I can be working with an agent that deals with high fashion and the next can be lifestyle brands. This has been a really great way for me to see the wide breadth of clients at CAA and get a front-row seat to negotiations and deal making.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!

My favorite part of my internship has definitely been the realization that this agency is not like any other. I definitely lucked out when it comes to company culture at CAA. From the moment I stepped into the building, I was welcomed with open arms. Everyone here wants to help you succeed and wants you to learn from them. CAA has been nothing but kind and supportive of me and my career aspirations, and this has enriched my experience here and made coming here every day all the more exciting.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

Taking Entertainment Industries instilled in me the background knowledge of the industry. This helped tremendously in being able to hold a conversation with the other interns and the agents. Being film/TV literate has also helped a lot in being able to connect with the people that are out here.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Take the plunge and apply! Yes, a lot of the interns in LA consist of students that attend these west coast schools but don’t let that deter you from trying. Being from Georgia, home of the national champs, has sparked more conversations with people out here than you would think. Coming to work at a place across the country shows just how passionate you are for the field so use that to your advantage!

How will this role guide your future career path?
Photo of a person standing in front of the Creative Artists Agency
Kefetew

I’ve always known I wanted to work in representation but wanted to take the summer to understand in what capacity I can see myself in. This internship has exposed me to careers I didn’t know existed and has given me a clear picture into the world of agencies. I think because of it I am much more solidified in my aspirations and have something a lot more concrete to work towards.

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

Being organized and meticulous when given a task will get you very far. I’ve also realized that I this is the best time of my life to be curious and ask questions because everyone wants to help the intern/student.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

To keep watching good TV! The amount of people I’ve connected with because of my extensive mental catalog of TV goes to show how much value there is in being well-versed in the industry. As a more general piece of advice, whatever you’re passionate about or whatever field you want to pursue, immerse yourself in it, read about it, and learn about what it’s producing and how people are consuming parts of it, it’ll make you all the more knowledgeable and a better candidate for jobs.

What’s your career goal?

I want to work within Entertainment Law as either an agent or as a business affairs executive.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

This role has solidified my “Why” – specifically why I want to pursue a career in representation and why I want to do that at an agency level. By exposing me to the smaller day-to-day activities of the career I hope to pursue I was given a more colorful glimpse into what my career could be if I work hard to get it. Now that I’ve gotten that glimpse, I’m all the more motivated to try to get the full picture in the next couple of years.

Grady InternViews: Harper Lawson

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Harper Lawson is a fourth-year journalism student working with the WNBA Dallas Wings team as a social and digital marketing intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

As a social and digital marketing intern, my responsibilities include:
• Updating the team website with game photos, press conferences, and game highlights
• Research influencers to help boost fan engagement and promote theme nights
• Gathering and organizing photos, videos and tracking materials for recaps
• Going over social media analytics
• Filming, facilitating and editing Instagram reels
• Monitoring player stats for stat graphics
•Brainstorming captions, interview questions, and potential posts

What does the structure of your internship look like?
Photo of a person standing in front of a DSLR camera
Lawson works on her on-camera skills during her internship (Photo: Submitted)

I am in the office 4 days a week from 10-5. We work out of a main office and then commute during the day to basketball practice to record content, take pictures, mic players up, etc. Normally, every Tuesday after practice, I ask the players a “whiteboard question of the week.” I then record their answers, and we post a Reel. We usually have 4 games a week, but I only attend the home games. During home games, I record content during the game, monitor stats, and get prepared for post-game press conferences with the players and coach.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

So far, the biggest challenge I have faced is talking on camera. I have been practicing making pregame videos and scripts. It’s hard memorizing a script and then being able to recite it on camera. I’ve been practicing in hopes of building my portfolio and discovering what I want to do in my professional career.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!

My favorite part of my internship has been the people I work with and the players on the basketball team. My supervisors are so knowledgeable, and I enjoy getting to make content with them. I can remember one week I was doing the whiteboard question of the week and I was talking to the players. Our franchise player Arike Ogunbowale answered my question for the video and then asked me what my name was. It was such a small simple thing but being acknowledged and getting to talk to the players is so motivating for me as an intern. I was also a little star-struck because Arike isn’t normally one to initiate conversation after practice.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

My classes at Grady have prepared me in terms of software experience. By learning Adobe Premiere Pro and WordPress, I have been able to apply those skills to my internship. I have learned the WNBA’s template for WordPress and how to better navigate the software. My understanding of Premiere Pro has also helped me tremendously because we use it to cut my pregame videos together with press conference audio, highlights and b-roll.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Don’t ever think your goals are too lofty to accomplish. If you put in enough work, you can do anything. You just have to advocate for yourself and put yourself out there. Networking is everything.

How will this role guide your future career path?
Photo of a basketball court with people sitting in a booth on their laptops
Lawson works during gamedays to produce social content for the Dallas Wings. (Photo: Submitted)

This role will hopefully help me narrow down what I specifically want to do when I graduate. That role could be sideline reporting, social media marketing/content or internal team reporter. The repetitions I am getting in front of the camera are invaluable in helping me gain confidence on camera and allowing me to build my portfolio. Hopefully, by the end of the summer, I will have more connections and a more solidified idea of where I want to go next.

What’s your career goal?

I’ve always wanted to be an ESPN sideline reporter. That dream has morphed into my end goal of being an internal reporter for a sports team. However, I am really open to doing any kind of reporting for sports teams. As long as I end up working in the sports industry, I will be happy. The work environment in the sports industry is unmatched. The hours can be long but the people in the industry are the most hard-working and enthusiastic coworkers I have had the pleasure to know.

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

I will definitely take my knowledge of interview questions with me. Questions are the key to a successful interview. I have the opportunity to attend press conferences while news stations and reporters ask post-game questions, and it has helped me to learn what questions to ask. I will also bring back some new Premiere Pro skills that I have been learning. Premiere’s software is very useful, and I feel that I can produce even better content by better understanding some of its tools.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

I have always known I was passionate about sports but I think this internship has solidified how much I enjoy Texas and has really helped me start planning for my future after UGA. It has also made me realize how many different roles I could potentially play in a pro sports team’s organization. I feel like I don’t have a set job I am striving for but it is exciting to see all the directions I could go.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Honestly, I thought about this question for a long time and then I realized why it was so difficult for me to answer. If I was younger, I would not have listened to advice from anyone. I was too hard-headed. But that stubborn quality is where I get my work ethic from. So if I had to give my younger self advice, I would say never stop working hard and never let anyone discourage you. Your dreams can come true if you make them.

Grady InternViews: Deborah Yoon

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Deborah Yoon is a fourth-year advertising student working with Delta Airlines as a brand marketing intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I am working as an ESG intern focusing on DEI and Cultural Moments in the Marketing department. I assist my manager in being the liaison between Delta and external creative agencies as well as internal teams and departments.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

I have a summer research project that I’m working on by myself throughout the summer, and I’m also helping the team out on current campaigns.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

The biggest challenge I have faced so far is getting used to the nuances of working at an airline as well as getting familiar with the Delta brand and implementing it in the work that I do.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!

My favorite part about my internship has been the people! My team is amazing, and I’ve enjoyed meeting the other interns through the events that Delta holds. With that being said, I’m hopping on a flight to Paris as I’m writing this, so the flight benefits would have to be my second favorite part!

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?
Photo of Deborah Yoon standing in front of the Eiffel Tower
Yoon flew to Paris one weekend because of her internship at Delta. (Photo: Submitted)

My Brand Storytelling and Media Activation and Strategy courses taught me how to really get familiar with a brand, including their values. During the first couple of weeks, I studied the Delta brand values and learned about the nuanced airline industry.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Within all my opportunities, I have really clicked with my interviewers. Networking is essential, but it’s easy for it to feel like a burden. Just remember, the people you’re networking with are still people! It’s nice to connect with people about something other than work, like a shared hobby or music.

How will this role guide your future career path?

This opportunity has allowed me to meet so many amazing people, and you never know who you are going to meet again! Along with the people, the environment of Delta’s campus really reflects the company’s values and culture which I will be looking out for in future opportunities.

What’s your career goal?
Group of people posing with a sign that reads: I love Delta
Yoon appreciates her time with her team and feels encouraged by their creativity. (Photo: Submitted)

My career goal is to always be learning wherever I am. My goal is to always grow, learn and choose to not live in the mundane. I would love to work for a company like Delta in the future where there are opportunities to work with various teams and roles.

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

I have gained a knowledge of what DEI and cultural relevancy are and how a brand like Delta applies it to every team they have. Outside the DEI space, I have learned a lot about the brand campaign process and am familiar with the client/agency relationship and ecosystem.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

My last internship was design-oriented which aligned with my goals at the time. Now, I am working on the strategy side and editing creative concepts rather than actually creating. This has made me excited to work on the big-picture ideas.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Everyone is on their own timeline. It might seem some people are ahead of the curve, but keep trying, keep applying and your time will come.

Grady InternViews: Blake Campbell

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Blake Campbell is a fourth-year Journalism student interning with TBWA \ Media Arts Lab as an integrated media planning intern. Read on as he provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

My internship is in media planning and buying at the Media Arts Lab, Apple’s only advertising agency. I work alongside the Apple TV+ Strategy Team to develop audience insights, approve programming, and aid in creating media plans for every title presented to Apple.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

I am remote Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I work in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

The communications field is all interconnected. Advertising and journalism are in the same college for a reason. However, both specialize in different aspects. My struggle has been with trying to reframe my mindset. Instead of working for a general audience and making it digestible, I am doing the opposite. I have to understand my audience to then target them specifically and balance that with digestibility.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!
Blake Campbell stands in front of the doors to TBWA \ Media Arts Lab
Campbell enjoys how this internship diversifies his skills in journalism and advertising. (Photo: Submitted)

My favorite thing has to be the people. Everyone I have worked with has been so nice and welcoming. I have been included and contribute to just about everything, so I don’t feel like a stereotypical intern, but a part of the team. That, or the in-house barista is a big sell.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

My classes focus heavily on audience interaction with our writing. As a journalist, you want whatever you work on, from broadcast packages to stories to social media promotion to be accessible to any audience. It is the same in media planning. You want the audience to interact with the campaign the same way.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Finding jobs is all in the way you market yourself. As someone in a different but related field, I saw my journalism skills presented in different areas. Apply for programs that align with where you want to go, not only what you are currently capable of. A willingness to learn and perseverance can take you lengths farther than hard skills.

How will this role guide your future career path?
Blake Campbell stands in front of a colorful wall while traveling to Pasadena.
Campbell took a trip to Pasadena while living on the West Coast for the summer. (Photo: Submitted)

This role has given me a new perspective on the communications field. I think it has made me a well-rounded candidate. I am increasing my skill set so that I am competitive.

What’s your career goal?

I am aiming to become a creative director at a communications or publishing company.

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

My analysis skills of different audiences and the hard skills I learned on the job, like Excel and Google Insights.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

Everything is a step closer to wherever you end up. I think what I have learned is that my heart is in design. In this case, presentation design and trying to design campaigns for our target audience.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Try everything! Either you end up loving it, or you have learned something new about it and yourself.

What’s your favorite part of living in LA for the summer?

I think it’s definitely the weather. As cheesy as it sounds, the temperate weather without excessive humidity is so refreshing. I’ll work outside sometimes because it is so nice.

Grady’s Inaugural Chicago Field Study and Internship Program introduces students to a unique market

Posted on by Morgan Jones

This summer, thirteen Grady students participated in the inaugural Chicago Field Study and Internship Program, securing internships in the media and communications industries.

Two students pose for a picture while eating a hot dog in a baseball stadium
Bethany Rodgers (left) and Rebecca Eisenstein (right) enjoy a Chicago hot dog during their time at a White Sox game. (Photo: Bethany Rodgers)

Dr. Jennifer Griffith served as the faculty advisor for the program, and aimed to give students an immersive experience of Chicago as a communication and media hub.

“I was excited to do [this program] because Chicago is such a beautiful and special city,” Griffith said. “I knew the students who joined the program would fall in love with it, just as I did the first time I visited, and as did the many other students I’d taken there on tours.”

The program lasted eight weeks, during which students completed their internships on weekdays, attended a three-hour class on Tuesday nights, participated in agency tours and explored the city through weekend excursions.

Students were placed in internships across the communications field, spanning from small digital marketing shops to large media agencies, including Golin, NewsNation, and Ogilvy.

Once a week, students participated in a seminar class focusing on ideation and the power of big ideas, led by Chelsea Franklin (ABJ ’13). Franklin introduced students to the Chicago market and the networking opportunities within it. Her goal was to provide students with an understanding of the various roles available to them in the Chicago area.

“Chicago is probably a unique place for somebody from Athens to come, but you very quickly find that everyone is so welcoming,” Franklin said.

Students take a selfie in front of the Chicago bean.
From left to right: Ireland Ashburn, Tee Dickinson, Bethany Rodgers, Christian Conte and Kate Mcmahan visited the Cloud Gate sculpture more casually known as “The Bean.”

The first four weeks of the class introduced students to vital soft skills that emphasized techniques for enhancing their critical thinking abilities. They explored topics such as understanding consumer behavior, creating effective collaboration, brainstorming creatively and delivering constructive feedback. At the end of each class, industry experts were invited to share their experiences, shedding light on how they apply these skills in their daily professional lives.

In the latter four weeks, the focus shifted to honing industry-specific hard skills, covering areas like earned media, paid media and experiential marketing. The professionals who visited the class gave insight into what it means to work in industries with these specialties. 

Rebecca Eisenstein, program attendee interning with Golin, said this program has given her a clear understanding of the different opportunities in the AdPR field and boosted her confidence to reach out to professionals in her company.

“Emphasizing collaboration has been crucial in my professional growth,” Eisenstein said. “I find myself constantly engaging with others and brainstorming ideas with my team, rather than working in isolation.”

At the end of each week, students participated in excursions around the city including, riding on an architectural boat tour, going to the Wonder Museum, attending a White Sox game and visiting Chinatown.

5 students pose for a picture in a room lit up with glowing pentagon shapes on the floor, ceiling and walls
The students took a trip to the Wonder Museum and visited the AMES exhibition. (Photo: Rebecca Eisenstein)

“Chelsea knows this city like the back of her hand and has introduced us to different neighborhoods that I would have never thought to explore on my own,” Eisenstein said. “Moreover, it’s just been enjoyable to explore the city in general, given our perfect location for exploration.” 

Both Franklin and Eisenstein encouraged future students to attend the Chicago summer program and expressed their appreciation for the city as a whole. 

“Chicago has so many outlets whether that’s agencies, branding, media, PR or otherwise,” Franklin said. “It’s a place where you can go with a lot of different opportunities.”

Applications for Summer 2024 Chicago Field Study and Internship Program open in Fall 2023, and you can find more information on the program details on our website. 

Grady InternViews: Taylor Shults

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Taylor Shults is a third-year Entertainment and Media Studies student interning with the Producers Guild of America. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities.

I am a summer intern at the Producers Guild of America. Most of my work is for the arbitration department. I create and edit documents that are used in the vetting process when awarding the p.g.a. mark for soon-to-be-released films. This helps to combat the major industry issues of vanity credits and how they dilute what the term producer really means. I also support the membership team by going through potential candidates, organizing information and finding supporting documentation for the application process. On top of this, I occasionally work with the other interns to do a variety of needed projects. They can range from creating a graphic for upcoming events or updating tabs on rising filmmakers who could be future guild members.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

My internship is part-time and virtual. I have a check-in meeting with my supervisor at the beginning of the week, just to make sure I am not feeling overwhelmed or am needing more work. The PGA is really good at making sure their interns are well supported both emotionally and professionally. I work Tuesdays and Thursdays 9-5. The other interns and I send check-in emails to all the heads of departments, and from there we wait for work to be sent to us.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

Finding a balance between my two internships, coursework, and the ability to explore Los Angeles has been extremely challenging. I think the new environment is so expansive that it can be overwhelming, but I am getting the hang of it.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!
Photo of student holding an oscar in front of the walt disney archives
Shults travels to the Walt Disney Archives during her time in LA. (Photo: Submitted)

I really love being able to see the impact my work is having on the credits of major motion pictures. Almost all major pictures go through our arbitration vetting. (It is basically mandatory if they want to be in the running for the Academy Awards.) It’s really cool to process the documents for the films and then scan the credits for the p.g.a. mark. I’ve seen more films in theaters on the Grady LA program than I usually see in half a year, and every time, I stay back to watch for the mark. It might not mean much to the average viewer, but to me it’s proof, I am starting to make my way in the industry.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

The EMST Intro Industries class provided a great baseline of knowledge to pull from. I am confident that I can hold a conversation with an industry professional on almost all the hot topics right now. Without that course, I would feel like I had no standing to even be talking to anyone about the entertainment field.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?

Reach out to your peers and UGA grads! Going into the internship hunt, I spent a lot of time talking to UGA students who interned in LA. They knew exactly what challenges I would face and gave me tips on how to overcome them. Everyone at Grady really wants to help each other. We also have a large group of alumni who want to talk to students and share their knowledge. Take advantage of this!

How will this role guide your future career path?

As a PGA intern, I get to peek behind the curtain to see how the Producers Guild operates. I hope to be a PGA member later in my career, so I can see this background helping immensely in how I will take advantage of the membership benefits. In fact, I have access to some member-only resources to learn from and hone my own producer skills. Additionally, I am getting a deeper understanding of how the PGA fits into the scheme of the industry. We’re in a really interesting time in the entertainment field. Massive changes are happening, and I get a front-row seat to how producers are reacting.

Four students holding a Grady College flag pose in front of the Hollywood sign
Shults enjoys traveling around Los Angeles during her time with Grady in LA. (Photo: Submitted)
What’s your career goal?

Film/Television Producer

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

Ask questions. The only way to learn is to recognize what you don’t know and ask someone who does. You would be shocked at how many people want to help. The worst that can happen from asking is you have to ask someone else.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

My role has definitely solidified the fact that I really enjoy the support that goes into the creative processes of the entertainment industry. I am a double major in business management, and my business side really loves a good spreadsheet. I now see there is a grand variety of ways my skills can be used to help beyond the making of films.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

Breathe. You’re going to be put into situations that are not ideal, but that is a part of life. If you do not push beyond your comfort zone, you will never grow. It will suck for a bit, but keep your cool and breathe. You might even find something you did not notice before.

Grady InternViews: Olivia Lamme

Posted on by Morgan Jones

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

Olivia Lamme is a fourth-year public relations student working with UPS as a media relations intern. Read on as she provides insight into what this internship looks like.

Briefly describe your internship and responsibilities

This summer I am working as a media relations intern at UPS in the global communications department. In this position, I collaborate alongside other professionals from all around the United States. I work closely with the media relations team to develop content that highlights incredible UPSers. I amplify those Great Employer stories through connections with the top 10 media markets.

What does the structure of your internship look like?

I work full-time, five days a week. I work remotely on Mondays and Fridays, and I report to the Atlanta office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. My tasks and meetings vary from day to day, but a typical day includes calls with my manager, meetings with the media relations team and intern sessions with the eight other interns in the communications department. When I am not in meetings, I am helping my manager with pitches and stories or working with the other interns on our summer project.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?

Because of the large geographical areas each member of the media relations team covers, we are relatively spread out. Two of my teammates are in the Atlanta office, but my manager that I report to is based in Jacksonville, Florida. I initially found it difficult to feel connected to my team and ask for tasks. I didn’t want to bother anyone. However, I quickly realized that the company culture at UPS is centered around inclusivity. As previously mentioned, my manager and I call every day and message on Teams all the time. She makes me feel valued and appreciated by giving me tasks and substantial responsibility. Several other members of my team have also connected with and called me multiple times to check in on how I am adjusting to and liking my position. What started as a challenge quickly became one of my favorite parts of the team.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far? Tell us a story if you have one!

I pitched and landed my first ever story! A UPS Tractor-trailer driver named Craig Campbell Sr. won the Florida Trucking Association’s Driver of the Year award. My manager tasked me with writing a pitch and trying to get news coverage in Jacksonville, Florida. I developed a strong pitch and spent a couple of days contacting and following up with news stations, newspapers and reporters in the Jacksonville area. One day later my story was broadcasted on News4Jax evening news! Then two more outlets picked up the story and wrote short articles. It was so cool to see my work being used and enjoyed by the public.

How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

PR Communication with Tom Cullen has by far been my biggest asset in terms of career preparation. The extensive portfolio I created in his class was the main attraction for the UPS recruiters. The two media relations professionals who interviewed me read the entire portfolio and asked numerous questions about it. Tom taught me the basics of writing pitches, crafting press releases and compiling media lists. These skills are essential in the public relations realm, and I am so thankful that his course prepared me for this position. Of course, I am gaining a real-world application at UPS, but Tom’s class set the framework for me.

Additionally, Crisis Communication taught me how to work on a large and complex project with a team. We created a crisis management plan that ended up being 52 pages long. The work was confusing at times and very time-consuming. But my team and I learned to work well together and share responsibility. I have continued to develop these teamwork skills with my team of interns at UPS. We have a group project presentation at the end of July, and we are already gelling and communicating as a unit.

What’s your advice to other students looking for a similar opportunity?
Group of students posing around Heritage Boulder
Lamme and her communications team pose in front of Heritage Boulder (Photo: Submitted)

Join clubs and get actual writing experience. UGA offers so many extracurricular and educational programs. I utilized Talking Dog and PRSSA to produce tangible content. When applying for jobs, actual work is way more impressive than a stacked resume. Prove to them that you are as good as you say.

Also, utilize the career fairs and learn to follow-up. I made a conscious effort this year to go to both Grady career fairs and even a Terry career fair. Even if you know the job isn’t for you, it never hurts to make connections, spread your resume and practice interviewing. I interviewed with so many companies just to get the experience. With time, I knew exactly how to pitch myself and talk with professionals. By the time I spoke with UPS, I had a well-developed PR portfolio and personal portfolio with a wide variety of work from different clubs and classes.

How will this role guide your future career path?

UPS has ultimately set me up for success. It is a large, well-known corporation with a huge network of professionals. I have connected and bonded with so many people already and its only week four of the program. The hands-on learning experience in media relations is exactly what I wanted. I want to experiment and try different fields of public relations, and UPS is a wonderful way to start that process. I hope to carry forward the relationships and work I develop at UPS.

What’s your career goal?

I just want to love what I do. I want to enjoy the culture and people around me. So far, UPS has provided exactly that. Everyone I have met is upbeat, friendly and always willing to help. In the next few years, I hope to continue working in an environment like this one. I also want to continue working for a big corporation. I love working for a company that everyone knows. And if I’m lucky, I would love to come back to UPS in my career.

What lessons will you take back with you to the classroom in the fall?

Ask questions. It is very easy to feel intimidated or nervous to speak with industry professionals. I experienced this fear during the first week of my internship. But as previously stated, I quickly realized that the professionals (and professors) around you want to see you succeed. It is their job to answer your questions and provide you with the insight you don’t have. I am going to make a conscious effort to connect with my professors and establish connections. You can’t do it all on your own. Utilize the amazing professionals around you.

How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

I have discovered that I am passionate about working for a company that does good in the world. UPS establishes itself as a progressive, forward-thinking company with a focus on sustainability and equality. It is so easy to write for a company and work with people who have similar views as you. I want people to know I represent UPS because I believe in the work they do. I want to always feel this passionate for the companies I work for.

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

When it comes to extracurriculars and involvement, prioritize quality over quantity. It is so easy to get stressed because you think you aren’t “doing enough.” I remember feeling this way at the end of my sophomore year. I wanted to join five clubs because I thought that would look impressive on a resume. Well, the reality is, five clubs can’t all fit on a resume. Instead, pick one or two organizations/clubs that you are truly interested in and fully commit to them. For me, I committed to Talking Dog and the PRSSA content committee. Both positions provided me with tangible writing experience and allowed me to personally connect with new peers and classmates. Those clubs stood out to recruiters and provided me with content to put on my personal portfolio. Don’t get bogged down in the numbers. One club that you are extremely invested in is way more beneficial than five clubs that you don’t care about.