Tag: internships

Grady InternViews: Julia Walkup

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias
Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities:

I assist writers and producers for the Ana Cabrera show by finding and pulling visual elements to air while Ana is anchoring, and I write scripts for Ana!

How will this role guide your future career path?

This experience will make me a more well-rounded journalist. At UGA, I haven’t really focused my energy on television or video news, and I’ve never worked in anything like national news before. I’m learning a bunch of new skills and perspectives, so I hope that in the future, I’ll be more familiar with all different kinds of journalism and be able to comfortably perform all different aspects of what goes into making an article, segment or multimedia piece.

What about this position has surprised you?

I was surprised by how much I was trusted and thrown into the position right off the bat. In such a fast-paced environment, my team was willing to help me learn, but they didn’t have time to babysit me. Therefore, I took the approach that one person called the “apologetic bull in a china shop” approach. That means, I did a lot of things how I thought I should do them and took risks, and if I screwed up, I apologized and learned for the future. It’s better to put yourself out there, take risks and learn by doing than it is to hide behind your unfamiliarity with the role.

Julia says their favorite part of the internship was connecting with the other CNN interns. (Photo:submitted)
What’s the most challenging part of this position?

The most challenging part of this position for me is having to adapt to television news. I’ve spent all of my training at UGA and The Red & Black focusing on print journalism and still photography, so adjusting to the fast-paced and conversational style of television news has been especially challenging. I have plenty of opportunities to learn, though!

What advice would you give to students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

Be yourself! After talking with recruiters, they told me the best thing to do in interviews and applications is to be yourself. Also, fully 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.

What has been your favorite part about your internship?

My favorite part of my internship so far is definitely connecting with the other CNN interns. We’ve become great friends, and we’re able to learn from each other, bounce ideas off each other and discuss the current state of the news media. I’ve learned so much from them, and it’s really nice to be able to have these friendships while I’m living in an unfamiliar city for a few months. It’s also really cool to be in the control room while the show is airing and to call video behind the scenes.

Grady InternViews: Jonathan Wood

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias
graphic that reads "Jonathan Wood, Hometown: Smyrna, Georgia, Major:advertising, Title: Development Projects intern, Company: jacksonville jaguars, Location: jacksonville, FloridaBriefly describe your internship and your responsibilities.

I work with the real estate and development team on downtown development around and within the stadium, (currently that is the Shipyards Project and the Miller Electric Center, a sports performance center). I work to help plan for stadium renovations to create the stadium of the future. These projects will provide economic growth, increase job opportunities, boost tourism revenue, and create a more vibrant and inviting downtown for the city of Jacksonville. The development of these projects will serve as a catalyst for future growth throughout downtown and the city. The past few months have provided me with first-hand experience in my hopeful future career path. I am beyond thankful for all the opportunities the development team within the Jacksonville Jaguars have provided me. Go Jags!

What is the most valuable lesson you learned?

The most valuable lesson I have learned is the power of a team. It is easy to see how important a team is in sports – if one person is not able to carry his or her weight, the rest of the team suffers. Although this is quite apparent on the field, this is true even more behind the scenes. Every team member in the real estate and development projects department that I have had the pleasure to work with is a fundamental and crucial part to the success that the Jaguars and City of Jacksonville are building.

a picture of student Jonathan in a construction hat and vest with other workers
Jonathan worked on real estate projects with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including renovations for the stadium. (Photo:submitted)
How has this role helped you discover what you are passionate about?

Before this internship, I knew that I was passionate about real estate. I already had doses of experience in both residential and commercial real estate. However, nothing compares to the level and scale of real estate and development I have been exposed to through my internship with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now, I have an even greater passion for this field on a larger scale, which fuels my drive to gain more experience and knowledge. This will help me have a meaningful and impactful career.

How will this role guide your future career path?

This role opened my eyes to larger real estate and development projects. These large-scale, community-based projects are exactly the type of work that I would love to be doing in my future career.

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

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.

What advice would you give to students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

Perspective is everything. When initially applying for this position, I told myself not to get my hopes up. Never once did I think that not having a degree in real estate would give me the opportunity to learn and develop under some of the best and brightest real estate and development professionals in Florida. However, my hard work over the past few years outside of the classroom through putting myself through online courses to obtain my residential real estate license in Georgia,  working for a commercial real estate company based out of Atlanta, while still taking a full load of classes has prepared me for this next chapter. My advice is to never be afraid to apply for a position that you want or are interested in.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far?

My favorite part of this internship has been being able to see the most current development project, the Miller Electric Center (a sports performance center), being built right outside of the stadium. Every day, I see not only the progress that is being made on this 125,000 square foot facility, but also the impact that everyone has had to get the project to be where it is, which will ultimately be completed on time and on budget.

If you could describe your internship in only three words, what would they be?

Professional, Collaborative, Fast-Paced

Grady InternViews: Edward Feininger

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias

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

Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities:

As a graphic design intern, I use client brand guidelines, the strategies developed by Edge, and principles of design to create print and digital assets in a timely and effective manner for a number campaigns.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?

When working with entrepreneurs or smaller clients on their branding, such as bringing ideas to life, color palettes, mood boards, etc., a lot of people have zero clue as to what they want. In an initial branding session, you hear a lot of “I hate that” or “That looks bad”. 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?”.

How will this role guide your future career path?

Since digital advertising is rapidly changing, clients want to remain on the cutting edge of technology. Clients value data, and data helps influence creative decisions for different campaigns. If I cannot work creatively, I would consider going into account management and strategy, search engine optimization, or data analysis. With all the new advances in digital advertising technology, clients have easier access to data, so they are valuing it higher and implementing it in their decision making more.

What about this position has surprised you?

I was most surprised by how much clients want to control their social media, print, and out-of-home ad designs. Some clients gave us complete creative control, and as long as we stayed within their brand guidelines, most projects were approved with one or even no rounds of edits. However, some clients would fully reject proposals, come up with their own rough idea (regardless of design principles) and request that instead. When a client may not be making a “design-savvy” decision, I learned to create what they want but also provide suggestions and alternatives at the same time. Always fulfill their request and follow their vision, and if you disagree with it, show them some positive alternatives that can steer them in the right direction for the future.

What’s the most challenging part of this position?

Time management has been a fun challenge this summer. The agency maps out each week and month in an orderly fashion and has a list of clients that are on retainer and for how long. Despite being organized, inconsistent client response times and varying levels of involvement can put a wrench in your week. A client who you worked for two weeks ago could have just responded with edits. If their newsletter or post is set to go out at a certain time, you have to drop your other tasks and get on those edits. Similarly, some clients may respond within the hour, well ahead of their due date, so you need to match their speed in order to get that work done to make room for whoever could be lagging behind.

a group of students sitting at a desk working on computers
Edward works at an office in Buford, Georgia for his graphic design internship. (Photo:submitted)
What advice would you give to students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

Even if it is unpaid, part time, remote (whatever the circumstances) you should apply to the internships that interest you. Since our field is changing so rapidly, the best thing you can do for yourself is gain experience. I applied to over 100 internships this past winter and spring. Despite getting some offers for paid roles, I felt that The Edge Agency would give me the biggest leg up for applying for internships next summer and eventually starting my career. Even if you are internship is unpaid, part-time, or you work remotely, the character you build plus the experience you gain will be more valuable than a typical summer job at home.

Grady InternViews: Madison Greer

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias

graphic that reads "Madison Greer; Hometown: Lilburn, Georgia, Major: Public Relations; Title: Digital Intern; Company: MSL, Location: NY + AtlantaThis is part of a series where we ask Grady College students to share their summer internship experience.

Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities.

I am an intern in MSL’s digital innovation center of excellence. My responsibilities include collaborating with the team on influencer pay gap research, writing case studies for consumer clients, contributing to the digital newsletter, and working on a project for a corporate reputation account. I’m also a MAIP (multicultural advertising intern program) fellow this summer, so I attend MAIP labs and work as a public relations specialist for my MAIP project.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?

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.

How will this role guide your future career path?

This role has exposed me to all the different areas of public relations and what I can do with my degree. I’ve learned that I’m interested in strategy, experiential marketing, and influencer marketing, and that I enjoy working on a variety of accounts. This internship has confirmed that I want to start my career at a public relations agency like MSL.

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

A creative said in a meeting that successful PR campaigns “make the complex simple” and “the ordinary extraordinary.” This stood out to me, and I will take it back to my projects in the classroom as a reminder of what we are trying to accomplish.

What advice would you give to  students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

I would say get out of your comfort zone and take big swings with where you apply. If you are able, definitely apply for internships in different cities and take advantage of the Grady summer programs. Once you get in your role, look for people that interest you in the company and ask to put time on their calendar. In my experience, people are always happy to chat with interns.

madison waving, sitting at a desk in the office
Madison’s internship is hybrid, and she has gotten to work out of offices in both New York and Atlanta. (Photo:submitted)
What has been your favorite part about your internship so far?

My favorite part of this internship has been seeing what agency life is like both in-office and remote. I was surprised by the energy and community in the office as people return to work and how it carries over into online meetings. I’ve been able to work out of the Atlanta and New York offices, so it was fun to compare the two.

Grady InternViews: Luke Yearwood

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias

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

Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities

My internship is one that spans multiple departments that fall within the umbrella of marketing, such as corporate partnerships, advertising and special events. Throughout the duration of the twelve-week program, I spend two weeks in each department, assisting and learning from the respective staff and applying the knowledge I gain in the classroom to a real-world setting. In addition to this, I also get the opportunity to work on multiple intern-specific projects, one being the creation of detailed project management systems to be used throughout the Hall of Fame’s annual event and activation calendar.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned so far is the importance of being bold and not afraid to speak up as an intern. One of the things that I have been most grateful for regarding my time at the Hall would be how (surprisingly) small the office is. This allowed me opportunities to work directly with higher-level executives such as the VP of Marketing and even the CEO, which can definitely be intimidating at times. However, 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!

How will this role guide your future career path?

Pursuing an advertising degree, as well as serving on the board of directors for the Talking Dog Agency based out of Grady, I had only had exposure to what it was like to work for a third-party company or organization. However, coming into the Hall of Fame, I am now part of an in-house marketing team. Naturally, it differed a good bit – but, I have now worked on both sides of marketing, and I can use that experience to figure out which jobs I would like to take in the future, as well as what those positions may entail. After this summer, I’ll be able to more effectively narrow down the work I’d like to do, as opposed to having to figure that out once I’m already in the workplace.

What’s the most challenging part about this position?

The most challenging part about this position is learning how to juggle multiple projects at one time. In addition to cycling through different departments every two weeks, I am also tasked with working on multiple intern projects, which are all being developed simultaneously. On an average day, I am working on three to four different projects, events, campaigns, and my project management skills have definitely been put to the test.

What advice would you give to students looking to pursue similar opportunities?

Take advantage of the people you know, or even who they may know. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in the past year is the power of networking. I got my internship through a friend of a friend, and I was shocked by how much weight that single connection carried. Reach out to people on LinkedIn, go to career fairs, email your parents’ friends, and make every connection you possibly can. You’ll be surprised how much closer it gets you to a job in the interview process!

image of Luke's intern card
Luke works in person for his internship in Atlanta. (Photo:submitted)
What has been your favorite part about your internship so far?

Truthfully, my favorite part of my whole experience has simply been the novelty of it. Getting to work somewhere like the College Football Hall of Fame has given me so many opportunities that I never thought I’d have – I got to work the first ever NIL Summit for collegiate athletes, meet a few big names in college football at SEC Media Days, and make so many connections with different corporate sponsors such as Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, and Microsoft. I’ve felt like a little kid meeting all these heroes, and it’s made the extensive work so worth it!

Grady InternViews: Frankie Barnes

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias
Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities: 

My primary job as the events programming intern is to assist with coordinating all aspects of large scale entertainment events that take place at Barclays Center. Our department oversees everything from executing contracts with talent to working with the venue operations team to set up the arena.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned this summer is how valuable informational interviews are. I was able to block off time with some full-time employees to ask about their roles and to learn what they do. This helped me figure out if their specific role is something I see myself doing or if it is something that doesn’t really appeal to me in my area of interest.

How will this role guide your future career path?

This internship opportunity opened my eyes to a whole new area of entertainment I had never really considered before. I found that I really enjoy it and would consider pursuing another internship or full-time role in that direction specifically.

Frankie in front of the NBA Draft, an event BSE Global help put on this summer. (Photo:submitted)
What advice would you give to other students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

Be open to doing anything in your career interest field! While the job title may not be your dream role right off the bat, you inevitably will learn something from that position that will help you in the future when you do land your dream job!

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far?

My favorite part of my internship so far has been being able to see the large-scale events we are working on come to life and take place. Being able to see all of the behind the scenes work and what all needs to happen to put on an event like the NBA Draft, made me appreciate being at the event that much more!

How have your classes at Grady prepared you for this internship?

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.

Grady InternViews: Sophia Kwan

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias

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

Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities: 

Chemistry is an independent, full-service creative agency. As an account management intern, I assist in day-to-day client communications across four accounts. Some of my primary responsibilities include helping with the development and delivery of various client deliverables, trafficking new creative, and providing client feedback to internal teams.

How will this role guide your future career path?

By working in account management, I’ve learned about strategy, media, project management, creative, and account teams partner together to fulfill different types of client asks. Being exposed to so much has allowed me to realize what I do and don’t see myself doing. I now know I don’t want to work in a media role because of how data and number intensive it is. It has also made me realize how much I value being in a creative space. It’s so inspiring to see what our creative team develops from a client’s request,  and makes the work I am doing exciting. From this role, I have realized I most likely want to start out working on the agency side because it exposes you to so much, providing you with a wide variety of experiences early in your career.

What about this position has surprised you?

I am surprised by how many different hats an account person wears. From assisting strategy with a creative brief to reviewing performance data to provide insights to the creative team, no two days look the same. Client asks vary across accounts, so some are focused on creative while others are more media heavy. 

What’s the most challenging part of this position?

Balancing multiple projects is the most challenging part. It can get confusing working on four accounts with so many moving parts. It is important to stay organized, take clear notes, and document what is happening so you and your team are on the same page.

Sophia brings her guide dog in-training, Rudy, to her internship. (Photo:submitted)
What advice would you give to other students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

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! I first learned about Chemistry at ADPR Connection, a networking event within Grady, which I will be serving as co-director of next year. I then was able to connect with a Grady alum that works at the agency through a networking event at Talking Dog Agency.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far?

The company culture! People are so willing to take time to connect and chat about their role, career path, or life in general. I also love that the office is dog friendly. I am a puppy raiser with the Guide Dog Foundation, so I am thankful that I am able to bring my guide dog in-training Rudy to work with me, and sometimes she has friends to play with!

Grady InternViews: Darby Taylor

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias

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

Darby is participating in the Grady LA field study and internship program. She has two internships, one as a development intern for Temple Hill Entertainment, and another as an intern for the Producer’s Guild of America.

Briefly describe your internships and responsibilities.

At Temple Hill Entertainment, I perform coverage on screenplays, pilots, and book manuscripts to assess whether the material is worth developing into television or film content. I read the material, write up a synopsis, comment on pacing, characterization, tone, and plot, and then recommend a decision for the creative executives. I also sit in on development meetings, which provide me insight and a better understanding of the film and television landscape.

At the Producer’s Guild of America, I create materials to streamline and assist with the Guild’s ‘mark arbitration’ process. I conduct research projects to verify producing credits for Guild membership, update databases, and identify potential films for the awards season.

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

Both of my internships have confirmed my passion for the entertainment industry and that I want to be involved in the creation of television shows and films. Working at Temple Hill and the Producer’s Guild has given me an insight to two very different sides of the industry, and validated my passion for the industry and desire to work behind-the-scenes to bring certain stories to life.

How will this role guide your future career path?

Ultimately, my dream career is to get into post-production, or editing for film or television. I believe that when working on such a big and collaborative team as film crews, it’s integral to understand all aspects of the industry in order to make the production process smoother. As a future editor, I now know what parts of a script are significant enough to include in the final cut, as well as which team players have the most creative control over a project’s vision.

What advice would you give to students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

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.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far?

My favorite part about my Temple Hill internship is getting to provide my own opinion and experiences to the company. My perspective as a young student is welcomed with open arms, as I am encouraged to participate in staff meetings, give honest feedback about potential scripts and books, and discuss my favorite content with other interns and executives.

My favorite part about my internship with the Producer’s Guild is getting an insight to the industry from the unique perspective of a trade association. I have a better understanding to what all goes into film production through the producer’s role and what needs to be kept in mind when applying for the Producer’s Guild of America mark or membership to the Guild.

Darby is participating in the Grady L.A. program. (Photo:submitted)
How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

The ‘writing for entertainment media’ class I took taught me a lot about what works and what doesn’t work in a script. We read and critiqued many scripts, gaining an understanding to critical story elements such as character development, beats, tone and pacing. This class has made the coverage process a lot smoother, because I can easily differentiate my personal feelings on a piece of material and the actual elements that build a story.

Planning and helping on student short films through the production basics and cinematography classes I’ve taken have given me a brief insight to the effort that goes into feature filmmaking. My internship at the Producer’s Guild has taught me just how massive the crews behind our favorite films are and how much producers have to balance in order to bring certain visions to life.

 

Grady InternViews: Caleb Smathers

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias

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

Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities:

As a project manager, my role consists conducting market research, owning product vision, communicating with customers about their pain points when navigating our platforms, drafting project lifecycle plans, and working with cross-functional teams to bring our product vision into the hands the of our consumer base.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned so far is that I belong. I belong in every space, every room, every job, and every position I occupy. When I first started my internship, I was crippled with imposter syndrome. I felt as if my manager made a mistake in choosing me for the position. I quickly learned that imposter syndrome is a very common feeling and the best way to be free of its grasp is simply to be open and honest. Be open with your trusted team members, and seek mentorship. Although imposter syndrome doesn’t leave overnight, you will notice a shift in your confidence, ability, and workflow as you gain more experience and overcome obstacles.

What advice would you give to students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities?

Take the shot! I absolutely cannot stress this enough. 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.

If you could describe your internship in only three words, what would they be?

Innovating, Rewarding, Supportive

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

Although I discovered my career “passions” before embarking on my internship journey, this experience has amplified my desire to work in the technological spaces, aiding in developing services and platforms more accessible to the end user.

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

The classes I’ve taken at Grady prepared me for this internship by teaching me how to look at problems, specifically in the media space, through an analytical lens. My classes taught me to think beneath the surface problem and instead, identify the root of the issue.

Grady InternViews: William Daughtry

Posted on by Ashley Balsavias
Briefly describe your internship and your responsibilities:

I do freelance work with The Current and contribute to articles as they need them in Glynn and McIntosh County, which covers coastal Georgia.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned so far?

The most valuable lesson I’ve learned thus far has been that listening to your sources and having them open up to you goes a lot farther than I anticipated. I am currently working on a story on Sapelo Island’s lawsuit versus McIntosh County, and speaking with the residents and plaintiffs has helped me garner an understanding far beyond what any document or data could tell me.

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

I helped The Current on the day of primaries, interviewing voters and canvassers on the street on election day. Coming into Grady I had a strong passion for sports reporting, but after doing in-depth studying before the election and seeing how passionate others were, it really has opened a path I’d love to go down for political reporting.

What’s the most challenging part of this position?
William is writing stories for The Current, a nonprofit news organization that covers coastal Georgia. (Photo:submitted)

The most challenging part so far has been finding documents and data. With the Sapelo Island story for example, it is very hard to find reliable housing data and census data on an island with a population of just over 200 residents. Sifting through local county documents and getting into contact with representatives has gone a long way in pointing me in the right direction.

What has been your favorite part about your internship so far?

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.

William (pictured left) interviewing plaintiffs and Sapelo Island residents JR Grovner (middle) and Reginald Hall (far right). (Photo:submitted)
How have the classes you’ve taken at Grady prepared you for this internship?

The classes I took at Grady last semester helped me find the relevancy in a story. In Professor Nix’s class, I learned the basics of reporting which has helped me the most. Dr. Assmann’s class allowed me to find relevant data and build it via contacting key figures, and these are all skills that become crucial when reporting on ongoing litigation.