What Skills I Gained During My Time with ROAR
During my internship with ROAR Communications Agency, I had the opportunity to develop and strengthen a variety of creative and professional skills that will be valuable in my future career. Through hands-on projects and real client work, I was able to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom while also gaining new technical and creative abilities.
One of the most significant skills I developed was graphic design using Adobe Illustrator. I created a menu design for Waters Edge Winery, where I focused on layout, branding consistency, and visual appeal. I also designed promotional flyers for the School of Public Service at Old Dominion University, ensuring the designs clearly communicated the program’s message while remaining visually engaging. These projects helped me become more confident in my design choices and improved my ability to create professional-level work for real clients.
In addition to design, I strengthened my content creation skills through social media. I created posts for ROAR’s Instagram, which required me to think strategically about audience engagement, branding, and messaging. This experience taught me how to create content that is not only visually appealing but also purposeful and aligned with a brand’s identity.
Another valuable skill I gained was photography. During my internship, I learned how to take professional headshots for myself and others, as well as capture images of a theater production for the School of Public Service. This experience improved my understanding of lighting, composition, and how to capture moments in a way that tells a story. It also expanded my creative skill set beyond digital design.
Overall, this internship allowed me to grow as a creative professional by strengthening my design, content creation, and photography skills. These experiences have prepared me to take on future opportunities with more confidence and a stronger understanding of what it means to create meaningful and effective work.
Photography 101
I was able to learn how to take professional photoshoots, work with lighting & camera equipment
Career Goals
During my internship with ROAR Communications Agency, my experience helped solidify my long-term career goals and gave me a clearer vision of the path I want to pursue after graduation. Before this internship, I knew I was interested in marketing and creative work, but I didn’t yet have a specific direction for how I wanted to apply those interests in my future career.
Through hands-on experience in graphic design, social media content creation, and photography, I discovered a strong passion for creating visual content and helping brands build their identity. These experiences made me realize that I not only enjoy working in marketing, but I also have a desire to take ownership of my work and eventually build something of my own.
As I look ahead, my goal is to start my own marketing agency under the name Nics Media. I hope to work with businesses—especially restaurants—to help them grow their presence through social media marketing, graphic design, and photography. My internship showed me how impactful strong branding and consistent content can be, and it inspired me to want to provide those services to real clients in a meaningful way.
This experience also confirmed my interest in becoming a business owner. Being able to combine creativity with strategy and client work is something I find both exciting and motivating. Moving forward, I plan to continue building my portfolio, growing my skills, and developing Nics Media into a professional brand that reflects my abilities and vision.
Overall, my internship helped turn a general interest in marketing into a clear career goal. It gave me the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship and showed me that building my own business is a realistic and exciting path for my future.
More behind the scenes of camera work
Evaluating My Internship Experience
My internship organization did a great job creating a supportive and hands-on environment that allowed me to grow both creatively and professionally. I was given opportunities to work on real projects, like assisting with ROAR shoots, which helped me gain practical experience and feel like a valuable part of the team. My supervisors were approachable and provided helpful feedback, while still giving me the creative freedom to explore my ideas. However, there are a few areas that could be improved for future interns. At times, expectations and instructions could have been clearer at the beginning of projects, which would have helped me feel more confident right away. Additionally, a more structured onboarding process and improved communication across team members could make the transition into the role smoother. Overall, the experience was extremely valuable, but these small adjustments could make it even stronger for future interns.
What's next professionally
Looking ahead, my internship has given me a clearer vision of what I want to pursue professionally. I plan to continue building my personal brand and growing my business, Nics Media, by working with local businesses such as restaurants and boutiques to provide social media marketing, content creation, and branding services. This experience has shown me the importance of having a strong portfolio, so I plan to continue developing mine using the work I created during my internship, including projects like ROAR shoots. In addition, I want to strengthen key skills such as editing, client communication, and content strategy to better prepare myself for real-world clients. Overall, this internship has not only confirmed my career goals but has also motivated me to take actionable steps toward turning my ideas into a successful business.
Advice for Future Interns
Future interns should take full advantage of every opportunity given to them and not be afraid to step outside of their comfort zone. One of the most important things I learned is to take initiative—don’t wait to be told what to do, but instead look for ways to contribute and get involved. Asking questions is also key, especially during projects or shoots, because it helps you learn faster and shows that you are engaged. Building relationships with your team can make a big difference, as it creates a more supportive and collaborative environment. I would also recommend saving and organizing all of your work, as it can be extremely valuable for building a professional portfolio. Overall, being open to feedback, staying proactive, and making the most of the experience will help future interns grow both personally and professionally.