Student Testimonials

ENGL 394 [Professional Writing Internship] was my chance to become a bona fide professional writer. For my internship, I worked on an initiative called the Native World Trade and Development Initiative, which sought to make resources more readily available to Native American communities for service-delivery and development projects. My duties included researching grant opportunities, managing client relations, writing and editing proposals, and visiting tribal leaders on Utah reservations. I often worked with very little supervision and was given full responsibility over my workload and projects. It was hard, but it was real and it gave me the chance to make an impact on an organization. From my experience, I learned that it’s possible to make a living as a professional writer and also that my professors at BYU had prepared me well to succeed. Participation in 394 was the perfect bridge for me from the classroom to the real world. 

Alex Oldroyd, English ’18

Perhaps one of the most valuable discoveries has been a revelation that professional writing is creative writing. Sometimes it’s even fun–because it’s fun to do something well. It’s fun when [my boss] tells me that a client loves my idea or the team is pitching my headline first.

Ellie Peak, English ’17

[My Professional Writing] internships not only added to my personal experiences in exceptional ways, but they also contributed to my being hired at what has become my dream job.

Carli Hanson, English ’16

English 394 [Professional Writing Internship] was one of the best classes I took as far as career preparation is concerned.

Kimball Gardner, English ’17

Prior to taking English 394, I had virtually no experience in the business world. That class, both the content we were taught and the experiences and opportunities it provided, gave me my first step down a path into the business world that eventually led me to where I am today.

Ryan Weller, English ’16

[In my internship] I learned a lot about interviewing, blog writing, handling social media, and coordinating events. It was sometimes challenging; I had to step out of my comfort zone a lot. But it was also rewarding and I have published work that I was able to show as I was interviewing. It was definitely worth it! I am graduating this semester and I have a job lined up for after graduation. I don’t think I would have been able to get this job if it weren’t for my internship. I will be doing digital marketing and I am really excited about it. These internships can literally open doors. Students need real-world experiences like this. I would have done this internship sooner if I had known more about these opportunities earlier on.

Jessica Hogge, English ’19