Humanities Internship Spotlight
Olivia Rosvall | Carol Hand | Maddie West
Humanities students gain valuable, career-ready skills through their coursework and co-curricular programs. Internships offer an essential opportunity to apply these skills in real-world settings, explore potential career paths, and gain professional experience. For many students, completing an internship is a key step in successfully transitioning from college to the workplace.
During my internship at Hexadyn Wellness, I grew not only personally but also professionally. I became a more thoughtful worker, strategic thinker, and proactive team member. This experience taught me how to communicate effectively with colleagues, contribute to the development of new ideas, and navigate challenges with resilience. I was able to explore problem-solving in real time, especially when things didn’t go as planned, and I learned the value of adapting quickly and learning from mistakes.
One of the major projects I contributed to was rebuilding the company’s website. This involved overcoming issues related to user experience and marketing effectiveness. Collaborating with my supervisor, we strategized solutions to enhance the site’s usability and engagement. I also gained some hands-on experience with minor coding tasks and began to understand how technical skills play a key role in creating a polished final product. In addition, I helped take professional headshots and experimented with digital photography, contributing creative content to the site and to further marketing through other social media avenues.
Beyond the technical aspects, my internship gave me a firsthand look at how a small business operates. I learned about the financial and social guidelines that shape decision-making within a startup company, and how marketing efforts, such as the new website, play a critical role in building momentum. I have seen the company grow from enhancing their marketing initiatives and user experience practices. My internship was incredibly rewarding. It provided me with a strong foundation of experience in a small business setting and particularly in seeing the impact that collective efforts can have on customers.
During the summer of 2025, I had the opportunity to work at the English Skills Learning Center through the Community Champions program, which supports students in gaining internship experience with nonprofits across Utah.
The English Skills Learning Center offers services to refugees and new Americans, assisting them in developing English language skills, preparing for citizenship tests, and increasing their confidence in navigating life in the U.S. My role was as a social media intern, which I truly enjoyed. I was able to grow both personally and professionally, developing creative skills such as editing and photography while also strengthening a range of hard and soft skills.
I’ve always loved learning and connecting with my community in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas. Supporting a cause that reaches so many people was incredibly meaningful. I also learned how much local and federal elections can affect nonprofit organizations like the English Skills Learning Center. On average, the Center supports over 800 individuals each year. Knowing that I was contributing to something that impacts people I interact with every day made the work feel even more rewarding.
This experience helped me gain a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges nonprofits face, especially when navigating political environments. It made a lasting impact not just on my resume but on the way I view volunteering and community involvement. I plan to continue volunteering with the English Skills Learning Center by helping with blog writing, social media, and event photography. This kind of community outreach means a lot to me, and I’m so grateful I had the chance to be part of it.
Maddie West
Major(s): Bachelor of University Studies: Biology and Environmental Journalism
Internship: Wasatch Magazine
My internship with Wasatch Magazine provided me with necessary exposure to experiences that will help me develop into the scientific journalist I hope to be. I am particularly interested in the reporting of environmental issues and findings, so working with an outdoor magazine provided the opportunity to explore those interests by photographing and writing about them. I saw both my photographic and writing skills improve during my time with Wasatch, by each one being challenged and tested on various projects.
I worked on media coverage for the Salt Lake City Bouldering World Cup in May as a reporter for Wasatch. I was able to interview the athletes and create reel content for the Wasatch Instagram as well as attend the World Cup as a media team member and take photos of the athletes. My interview skills were tested in a professional environment within the sports media realm which I had never dipped my toe into before. I found that I really enjoyed reporting on the event and would love to cover sports media again, which I wouldn’t have discovered without my internship with Wasatch. I saw my eye for sports photography improve throughout the 3 days of competitions and my editing style refined. I learned skills that can only be learned in the field and am grateful for that opportunity.
For my print piece, I researched and wrote an article on the “natural” state of man in exploring patriarchy in humans through a scientific lens and whether it is backed by evolutionary biology. I researched intensively on the topic and studied our most closely related ancestors, species that go through menopause, and more to see what social structures the animal kingdom is composed of. I found the array of different social structures that exist in nature and the contradictions these have to humans as a patriarchal society. I improved my scientific writing and researching ability through this piece and enjoyed getting the experience and opportunity to have it published. This piece was featured in Wasatch’s summer edition!
