No Longer a Student

Auburn University is known for their renowned Communication and Journalism Department, as well as the department’s internship program. Students thrive on the ability to become more than students; they develop into young professionals future employers dream of. The department has had students intern everywhere from right here in Alabama to New York and to even California.

Find more videos like this on Auburn Family
Jenna Murphy, a recent Auburn graduate who majored in communication, is a huge advocate of the program.

“I really feel like the three months I spent as an intern were way more important to my overall education than just sitting in the classroom,” Murphy said.

Murphy was born and raised in Macon, Ga. She attended First Presbyterian Day School and that is where her love of communication began to shine through. She was involved in the school’s journalism program and yearbook staff. Murphy said she knew in high school that she wanted to do something related to the communication field.

“In high school I found out that I really loved public speaking,” Murphy said. “When I came to Mary Martin Hall to talk to career development services they said, communication majors tend to do a lot of writing and a lot speaking. I felt like that was right up my alley and something I would love to do the rest of my life.”

Murphy completed her internship requirement at the office of Gov. Bob Riley. She interned for the state agency for three months where she learned valuable information that she will use the rest of her life.

She said her favorite thing about her internship was that she gained knowledge about each agency while still doing tasks that pertained to her major. She said she enjoyed traveling with the agency directors to important meetings about state government.

“I love politics and government.” Murphy said. “Political science was my minor so that is why I chose a state government internship.”

The former student of Auburn University wanted to encourage all students to complete an internship. She said the amount of effort you put into a situation will be equal to what you get in return.

“I worked very hard at my internship and invested myself into learning as much as I could,” said Murphy. “Therefore in the end, they invested in me as well and taught me a lot.”

At the end of her three month internship Murphy was offered a position with a state agency. She was invited to return as a full-time employee upon her graduation.