Showcase #1: Communications/PR Internship for the IU Indianapolis ePortfolio Studio

Project Overview 

In January 2024 I was hired as a communications intern for The Institute for Engaged Learning with a focus on promoting an academic database that highlights student work, the "Engaged Learning and ePortfolio Showcase". This showcase documents an enriching experience that taught me more than any class ever could and further invigorated my passion for strategic communication by allowing me to create and execute a real-world marketing campaign. This internship has allowed me to put theoretical knowledge into application with evidence of my learning mastery in every artifact produced. 

Learning Outcome Demonstrated: Create Messages Appropriate To The Audience, Purpose, And Context

My internship gave me a wonderful balance of freedom and supervision -- allowing me to strategically curate communication materials, on-person events events, and execute a campaign informed by my communication studies scholarship and direction from my superiors. Below you'll find a range of work experiences and direct samples of what I have created for students and faculty at IU Indianapolis.

Understanding the importance of contextual awareness and having an awareness of our audience(s) was an essential component of this project. Had I forgone the essential part of framing my communications in a way that was appropriate to my target audience, my communications would have not been effective. For instance, in the first copywriting piece I've presented as a sample of my work below, you'll notice the tone and language used varies depending on who the message is intended for. With faculty at IU Indianapolis, my messages are longer, use more academic language and terminologies, and the overall presentation is rather formal. In my student-centered communications my language is more concise, I break down academic terms, and the messages are shorter in word count than the faculty counterparts. 

Showcase #2: Group Recommendation Report for the IU Indianapolis Institute for Engaged Learning 

Project Overview

Dr. Jerry Daday at the IU Indianapolis Institute for Engaged Learning tasked our team with finding ways to engage stakeholders and encourage buy-in with a proposed IU Indianapolis/Indy Parks collaboration. The recommendations our team has formed, informed largely by a local study and exclusive database research into industry best practices, aim to achieve a strong beginning and prepare for the future of this cutting-edge initiative. Implementation of our recommendations would use a systematic approach to cost-effectively invest in and successfully stimulate the program.

Learning Outcome Demonstrated: Collaborate With Others

I assumed the position of group leader among our team of four undergraduate students. Utilizing what I had learned in interpersonal communication lectures, I navigated conflict with compassion and tact. At the beginning of the project, we created a set of "rules" to follow as a team. (ie Turn your work in on time, notify our direct supervisor immediately if you are unable to meet a deadline, communicate to your teammates with respect, etc.) This allowed us to hold ourselves and each other accountable. When we encountered conflict, we would often refer to this mutually-agreed-upon set of guidelines for ourselves to come to an agreement that benefited both parties. In addition to navigating conflict appropriately as a group leader and project manager of the team, I faciliated, organized, and managed our digital communication based on the collaborative needs of the group. While some members of our group had social media, others did not, so we ultimately decided on an SMS-format for internal communications. We worked with each other to workshop our ideas, materials, and then synthesized them into our deliverable -- a recommendation report presented via an ePortfolio.

Showcase #3 Organizational Communication Project

Project Overview

In the fall semester of 2023, I had the pleasure of taking an engaged learning class that allowed me to conduct an organizational communication report on a local machine shop. 

Throughout the semester, I administered several measurement tools to the staff and integrated the results into my "update reports". At the end of the semester, the reports were synthesized into a recommendation report that analyzed the organizational behavior observed throughout 10 hours of research.   

This experience allowed me to not only gain real-world experience in organizational communication, but also to continue honing my professionalism, time management skills, and my ability to network. The whole experience, from identifying an organization to work with to synthesizing the data into my final report, elevated my knowledge in theoretical and applied communication. 

Learning Outcome Demonstrated: Employ Communication Theories, Perspectives, Principles, and Concepts

This Organizational Communication class was not my first experience learning about communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts -- but it was my first academic experience integrating what I have learned into real-life applications in a professional setting. The real-world aspect of this project allowed me to take what I learned in textbooks, lectures, previous courses, and create a semester-long project that employed these directly. I gave administration my recommendations, which also allowed me to explain the theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts of communication through the rationale of my recommendations to an external audience. In the job force, I believe this skill will be crucial for practicing effective communication and I am glad to have gained this experience in college.