Haylie Brunhaver interned with a local marketing agency and gained technical skills using videography and photography editing software, and demonstrated skills in the creative process such as collaboration, and giving and receiving feedback.
How did you get your internship and why did you choose it?
I originally found out about this internship through my roommate who had also done the internship last fall. I then reached out to the owner of the organization and once we connected I landed an interview and was offered the position after a phone interview.
I chose this internship because I always knew that I wanted to go into a job that allowed me to be creative in some way. This internship allowed me to show creativity through developing social media content by filming videos as well as taking pictures and editing them with the right software. I also liked the fact that the company specifically worked with many different clients who had restaurants or bars that were on or near campus.
What new skills did you practice, learn, or develop in this internship?
My favorite part of this internship was learning how to create videos and edit them for Instagram reels. I was able to learn how to use Capcut, a popular video editing software, and I also learned how to change my phone settings to take higher quality photos and videos. Small changes to the settings like adding a grid and leveler and shooting videos in HD made a big difference in the quality of the final product. Overall, learning how to edit was something that I felt was very useful for creating content for professional and personal uses in the future.
How was the internship related to your Applied Humanities degree?
My internship allowed me to apply human-centered communication and decision-making in a real-world business environment. For my role, I worked face-to-face with diverse clients and customers, which strengthened my interpersonal skills and taught me how to navigate different cultural and social dynamics which are some core aspects of Applied Humanities.
Additionally, I was challenged to think critically about messaging, brand representation, and audience perception. The experience overall gave me a deeper understanding of how people make decisions, how specific content creation influences consumer behavior, and how effective communication can build trust or sometimes even break it.
If you completed a big project, share more about it.
One of my favorite projects I worked on was my weekly posts for the Tucson Sips page that I created posts for. It is an Instagram page that shares content about local bars or beverage places that are open around Tucson to encourage people should visit. My favorite videos I made were for two breweries: Broadway and Slow Body Brewing. I was able to take friends along with me and make the work that I had to do a fun time!
What advice do you have for other students as they search for and/or begin their internship?
When you’re searching for an internship, my biggest advice would be to stay open to opportunities that challenge you to grow personally and professionally even if they don't perfectly match your major on paper. My internship pushed me to apply communication, empathy, and cultural awareness in real-time, people-centered work. Seeing all the different clients from different cultures with all kinds of delicious food and drinks was an amazing experience.
When you start your internship, treat it as more than just a degree requirement. Try to approach it like a chance to test your strengths, build confidence, and explore what kind of work energizes you. Be curious, ask questions, and take initiative. You’ll learn the most when you step outside your comfort zone and fully engage with the experience. Most importantly, have fun with it and try to find something you think you will have a good time doing.