Hometown: Canton, Michigan
Major and class standing: African American and African Studies (AAAS), Junior
Where you interned at: The Department of African American and African Studies, East Lansing, MI
What was your internship title and role/responsibilities?
As a Media Developer and Strategist for the Department of African American and African Studies, my roles and responsibilities included producing appealing multimedia content for the department’s marketing, communications, and social media efforts Spotlight students, speakers, faculty, and events through videos, photographs, and collaborative captioning. I also assisted in posting news items via Instagram to increase the department’s recognition
How did you obtain your internship? What resources did you utilize to secure your internship?
I heard about it at the AAAS Major Welcome. They said they were in need of someone for this role and it was right up my alley so I applied immediately!
What did your daily routine include?
Wake up, check my emails, scroll through the AAASMSU Instagram feed, see what was happening that day and week (mainly for the Black community), check in with my advisor (Dr. Yvonne Morris) during lunch or after class, write down IG post ideas in my planner as if it were homework, rest.
Your favorite experience from the internship?
My favorite thing about the internship was having the opportunity to meet and connect with so many interesting people! I also enjoyed making digital collages, experimenting with colors, and graphic design overall.
What was your least favorite part of the internship?
Sometimes it was hard to come up with new ideas over the course of the semester as well as balance the work given to me with my classes.
What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
I have definitely been working to improve my communication overall. I think communication is key and arguably the most important skill in the field. During my internship, I was also granted the opportunity to use a Cricut cutting machine in my spare time for a more hands-on experience. Lastly, I would now consider myself proficient in Canva considering the number of hours I spent on the platform and after going to a virtual workshop hosted by @socialdox on IG. She is wonderful!
What did you learn about the industry or your career path as a result of the internship? What are your future plans?
As creatives, we have to learn how to trust the process; we naturally experience highs and lows. The members of The Department of African American and African Studies, however, have provided me with a safe space to be, learn, explore, and grow. In the future, I plan to travel around the world, find more people with the same interests as me, take more pictures to capture life’s beautiful moments, and share the word of God!
What advice do you have for other students seeking out internship opportunities?
Have confidence, be proud of the work you are doing, try to have fun, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes!
