Penelope Ray is a senior majoring in Communication who learned about the ATLAS Internship Program through department emails and newsletters. She decided to join the program to gain hands-on experience in the communication field while learning digital tools that would enhance her impact within an organization. In her first semester as an intern, Penelope works with the Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County as a Digital Communications Intern.
In her role, she uses online design tools such as Canva to create promotional materials that effectively highlight her client’s events and resources. She also manages social media posts to help build engagement and will contribute to the organization’s newsletter, supporting communication about its progress and goals. Through these responsibilities, Penelope has significantly improved her technical abilities in digital design and social media marketing.
Her internship has also strengthened her soft skills, particularly in professional communication and public presentation. One important lesson she has taken away from her ATLAS experience is that any work, no matter the scale, has the potential to make a meaningful impact. Looking ahead, Penelope hopes to continue in the digital communications field, pursuing roles such as communications manager or public relations specialist. Outside of her academic and professional interests, she enjoys relaxing with her favorite show, Bob’s Burgers.