This is Sophie Kunkel, a senior, first-time ATLAS intern and English major who joined the program to explore how her degree could be applied in real-world, tech-driven settings. After hearing about ATLAS through department emails and newsletters, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to gain experience in communications while working with digital platforms. Sophie is currently placed with the University of Illinois Student Money Management Center (SMMC), where she serves as a Communications Specialist and Documentation Lead. In this role, she drafts social media content for platforms like Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn; writes e-newsletters tailored to students, parents, and staff; and helps review and update the center’s internal procedure documentation. Throughout the semester, Sophie has built up a strong toolkit of technical skills—learning how to create visual content using Canva, schedule posts through Hootsuite, and compose emails with Email+, a communication platform unique to Illinois. She’s also developed valuable soft skills, including team communication, public speaking, and time management. One key lesson Sophie is taking away from her internship is the importance of regular team communication. Keeping everyone updated on progress—and knowing when to ask for help—can make a big difference in how smoothly a project runs. Looking ahead, she’s exploring career paths in communications. And outside of her internship, Sophie’s a proud trumpet player in the Marching Illini!