Ellie was a News Writer for University Communications during Winter 2026.
Briefly explain what you did and the result of your internship.
As a student writer, I got to interview professors all across campus about their research projects every 6 months - 1 year. I helped identify which findings were newsworthy and turned those into lay-audience feature stories to be published in the BYU News.
What did you learn on your internship that you were not expecting to learn?
I had the chance to report live on Fox 13 at the opening of the new creamery! I never thought I'd have the chance to do that! It was hard to stay focused when the anchors could see me but I couldn't see the anchors!
How have your future plans changed because of what you learned from your internship experience?
Well, I learned that I love internal communications, and I hope to do that, but I think a bigger choice was that to start a family. At my internship, I had two major working mom mentors who inspired me and helped me realize that my professional excellence and being a mom are not mutually exclusive. So now my husband and I are actually expecting our first little girl!
Please share how your experience led to personal inspiration or insightful revelation.
This job helped me realize how much I love higher education institutions. I knew I wanted to do PR so that I could amplify good in the world, but now I realize that there is so much good going on in academia. Students learn to be leaders, and leaders learn to be learners! This job helped me realize that I don't have to do good things from scratch in the world, I just have to ask the right questions to find the good that is already there.
Would you recommend this internship to other students?
YES! This has been the best job I have ever had, and I've grown so much. All of the mentors in University Communications are supportive and encouraging of growth.
Is there anything else you would like to say regarding your internship?
This internship taught me never to dismiss a good question.
