ACLU of Georgia Communications Department intern Lena Bodenhamer (left) interviewing a college student about voting maps.

For two semesters, I’ve had the pleasure of interning for the communications department at the ACLU of Georgia. I applied for the position because I wanted to use my existing social media and design skills to help grow the online presence of an organization I support. Not only did I learn more about current events in Georgia and the issues shaping our communities, but I learned how to package important information into content that is both impactful and informative. 

As a communications intern, I was tasked with creating content for multiple social media platforms. While some posts I produced dealt directly with the nonprofit’s work across Georgia or ongoing local issues, I had creative flexibility to highlight other topics like landmark court cases, book recommendations, and more. I made numerous graphics, experimented with videos, and even interviewed students on my campus about the state’s legislative redistricting process.

As a college student, I’m aware of how my peers use social media and what catches their attention, so I prioritized experimentation with different media to find which types perform well and are relevant to the ACLU of Georgia’s advocacy work. With this objective in mind, I published a wide range of engaging, educational info and used my creativity to diversify the content and style of the organization’s social media posts. 

While I loved the creative freedom of the internship and the connection it provided to current events, my favorite part of my experience was working with the communications team. My supervisors were encouraging and provided helpful feedback. I learned so much at the ACLU of Georgia and look forward to taking those new skills to my next opportunities and beyond!