Elijah McCann

Major(s): English, Communication

Internship:  Park City Municipal

Role: Special Events Intern

When I decided that I wanted to work in Events as a future job, I didn't know what steps it took to do that. I decided to start looking for internships, and I was excited to see one open for the special events department of Park City.

This internship has been amazing. I gained experience doing both the administrative and hands-on aspects of event planning. It was exciting to be there day to day for huge events like the Fourth of July Parade and Miner's Day. We've just started preparing for the Sundance Film Festival and I couldn't be more excited.

Adelina Trionfo

Major(s):  Communication

Internship: World Trade Center Utah

Role: Marketing and Communications Intern

I am a marketing & communications intern at the World Trade Center Utah, and I have loved my experience here. I began my position in February of last year and since then I have learned a great deal about communication. I improved my applicable skills, such as writing and web design, but I’ve also learned a lot about collaboration, professionalism and internal communication. Furthermore, this internship gave me a unique opportunity to interact with people from various places and discover nuances in communication between cultures.

One of my favorite moments thus far was the international trade summit hosted by WTC Utah in partnership with Zions Bank. The two-day conference had incredible speakers on international relations. My favorite speakers were former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern. International business, trade and tariffs were especially hot topics last year, and it has been a great experience to learn how to navigate active geopolitical shifts, especially how to enact a plan rather than react to a change.

The advice I would give to other students is to go for what you want and commit to it. Apply for the job, learn from the people you meet and be willing to put in work that will help you grow.

Anna Safonova

Major(s):  Communication

Internship:  Sugarhouse Pub

Role: Media/Marketing Intern

My internship at Sugarhouse Pub as a Media and Marketing intern has been such a fun and creative experience. I was drawn to the position because it combined some things I really enjoy like photography, social media, and storytelling. The pub has a grungy, dive bar feel, which fits perfectly with my style of shooting film. I love how film gives the photos a raw, authentic look that really captures the atmosphere of the space and the people who hang out there. Most of what I do involves taking pictures of drinks, events and customers, then editing them into Instagram posts to promote the bar.

One of the coolest parts of the internship was covering events like Sugar Fest, where local businesses and the community come together for live music and activities. It was awesome to document those moments and see my work represent the pub’s involvement in the community.

Shooting in a dark bar or at a crowded event can be tricky, especially when shooting primarily on film, so I had to learn to work around those conditions. Getting over the fear of asking strangers to take their photo was another challenge I had to overcome. I also worked closely with the staff to plan Instagram posts.

Overall, this experience helped me grow a lot as a creative and taught me how marketing really works at a small business level. I've learned how to communicate ideas clearly, work with others, and balance strategy with creativity. This experience has definitely made me more confident in my photography, and I plan to pursue more work in media in the future.

Emily Whittle

Major(s):  Communication

Internship:  Langan Communications

Role: Public Relations

I have absolutely loved my internship experience. I’ve faced challenges and had to adjust to the environment, especially in Public Relations which is so fickle and often involves urgent and critical issues. However, I think this internship has set me up for success in future endeavors. I’ve improved my ability to work under pressure and tackle important issues as they arise.

My favorite project was creating a local newspaper for a municipal client that addresses some political unrest that’s been occurring in the city. It’s been very fulfilling for me. I was even able to have some of my photography featured in an issue of the newspaper. I love editing and copy editing, and I’ve done lot of that in my role. I also enjoyed assisting with the coordination and organization of a “Wildfire Symposium” for a client, which raised awareness for wildfire prevention and prepared citizens on how to protect their property and residences if needed. I tracked the media coverage of the event afterwards, and it was interesting to record the response and what different news stations said about it.

If I were to give advice to other students exploring similar opportunities, I would say to be prepared for a real-world experience. Before I started my internship, I thought I would be handling  minor tasks or assisting, but I took on a lot of tasks that my mentor would be doing if she had the time, such as projects for clients, editing my mentor’s work and drafting press releases or articles. This internship was not just taking notes in meetings or running errands; I’m responsible for work that goes directly to clients, and that’s not something to take lightly. 

Avree Mangum

Major(s):  Communication

Minor:Professional Selling and Business Development

Internship: Greenwood Health Center

Role: Phlebotomist

My current job title is phlebotomist, but much of my work centers around communication. While my primary responsibility is to collect and process blood samples, I interact daily with patients, healthcare providers, and laboratory staff to ensure accurate, efficient, and compassionate care. These interactions require a high level of professionalism, empathy and adaptability – qualities that directly align with the objectives of a communication internship.

Many of my daily responsibilities rely heavily on effective communication. When checking in patients, I provide clear, friendly, and professional service to collect accurate information, answer questions, and offer directions. This strengthens my customer service and interpersonal communication skills. Processing lab samples also involves precision and coordination, as I must communicate clearly with the lab team to ensure each specimen is labeled and handled correctly. In my interactions with healthcare providers and patients, I explain procedures, provide reassurance, and relay important information and updates practicing multidirectional communication and teamwork.

Even the technical task of drawing blood depends deeply on communication. I build trust with patients, calm their nerves, and provide reassurance through both verbal and nonverbal cues, demonstrating empathy and emotional awareness. In addition, maintaining inventory and stocking supplies requires clear communication with other staff members to anticipate needs, avoid shortages and ensure smooth workflow—further developing my organizational communication skills.

This role is deeply rooted in interpersonal communication, professional interaction, and information management, all of which are essential elements of communication professions. I regularly adapt my communication style to meet the needs of different audiences, whether speaking with anxious patients, collaborating with colleagues, or sharing updates with healthcare providers. Through these experiences, I have strengthened my abilities in client relations, teamwork and information dissemination.

Although my official title is clinical, the core of my work lies in communication. Every task I perform demands clarity, empathy and professionalism. These daily interactions provide real-world practice in human relations and effective message delivery, making my phlebotomy position an excellent example of a communication internship in action.