The Intern Diaries: Storytelling, Strategy and Self-Confidence
At Think Together, interns play an active role in sharing the stories that inspire the communities we serve through blogs, social media posts, press releases, emails, and much more.
This summer, Communications Intern Ajay Benmoin took on that storyteller role and worked alongside Think Together’s communications team to give a voice to the students, parents, school partners, and staff who work hard every day to create endless possibilities for California youth.
From writing a press release announcing new leaders to producing a social media video that reached over 15,000 views, Ajay gained valuable experience in content creation, brand storytelling, and cross-team collaboration.
In this Q&A, Ajay shares insights from her internship experience, her most memorable project, and advice for future interns.
Q: What were some of your daily responsibilities during your internship?
I reported to the Director of Communications and worked on a variety of projects, including blog content, social media copy, and internal and external newsletter emails. I wrote a press release that was distributed, curated media lists, pitched reporters, and tracked news hits.
Q: What’s the most valuable thing you learned during your internship?
I learned what it’s like to work with a well-rounded team and how collaboration happens both remotely and in person within a large organization that has so many moving parts. I also learned how to tailor my voice for a specific brand tone, which is different from writing personal copy for myself.
Q: Of all your projects, which one was the most memorable?
A site visit to one of our Colton district sites for a summer reptile show with Wild Man Dan. I attended the event, captured content, wrote a blog post about it, and created a social media reel to recap the day. To my surprise, the reel received over 15,000 views, a milestone I had never achieved before. That was a proud moment for me.
Q: How has this internship helped prepare you for your career?
I’ve become much more familiar with adapting to a brand voice and understanding the many moving parts of a communications team. It’s not just social media or media outreach; there’s a wide range of projects happening simultaneously. I also gained hands-on experience with platforms like WordPress and Pardot, which I hadn’t worked with before. Learning these tools was exciting and will be valuable in my career.
Q: What advice would you give to a future communications intern at Think Together?
Don’t doubt yourself. I came into this internship unsure of how much value I could bring to the team, but I quickly realized my contributions were valued. I was fully integrated into the team and treated like a communications specialist, not just “the intern.” This experience helped me build confidence, and I’d encourage future interns to use it as an opportunity to do the same. You were chosen for a reason.
Q: If you could describe your internship experience in one word, what would it be?
Enlightening. This experience opened my eyes to the fact that I belong in the communications world, that my work has value, and that I have what it takes to succeed in my future career.
From exploring new software to building confidence in her professional voice, Ajay’s internship experience highlights the kind of hands-on learning and mentorship that make Think Together’s internships stand out. We are proud to see interns like Ajay leave with not only a stronger skill set but also a clearer vision for their future.
Interested in learning more about our internship program?
Learn more about what past interns have said about their internships here. If you’re ready to launch your career in the non–profit space head over to Think’s career page to learn more about open roles.
