By Madelyne-Jane Channell
Summer Communications Intern
This summer began with one simple email.
I had known about Sunnybrook for several years, and one day I decided to reach out and ask whether the organization might be looking for a communications intern. As a senior at Mississippi State University majoring in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations, I wanted an opportunity to use the skills I had been developing in school to serve an organization whose mission I admired.
At the time, I thought I was pursuing professional experience. Looking back, I never could have imagined how much that one email would change me. It truly feels as though God placed me exactly where I was meant to be.
Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to support Sunnybrook’s communications efforts in several ways. I helped develop communication strategies, supported the organization’s second annual 5K, explored opportunities to update the website, and worked to strengthen Sunnybrook’s social media presence.
These projects gave me valuable experience in public relations, content development, event support, and organizational communication. More importantly, they helped me understand that communication is about much more than writing copy or creating content.
It is about representing a mission with care. It is about helping people understand why the work matters. It is about sharing hope, building meaningful connections, and using your skills in a way that serves something larger than yourself.
Much of my work took place behind the scenes, which gave me a closer look at the people and daily effort that keep Sunnybrook’s mission moving forward.
The People Behind the Mission
From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed. There is a genuine sense of love, support, and purpose throughout the organization. Every day brought something different, along with another opportunity to learn.
One of the things I admire most about Sunnybrook is the way everyone works together. Whether someone is supporting a resident, encouraging a coworker, preparing for an event, or stepping in to help with an unexpected need, every person plays an important role.
There is an understanding that no task is too large or too small when it contributes to the mission.
The campus itself reflects that sense of care. The flowers, the well-kept grounds, and the welcoming environment all show how much thought goes into creating a place that feels safe and hopeful. But what makes Sunnybrook truly special is not the campus. It is the people.
The staff members I worked alongside are compassionate, dedicated, and deeply committed to helping the young women Sunnybrook serves grow and succeed. They welcomed my ideas, encouraged me to learn, and made me feel valued from the beginning.
A Moment I Will Never Forget
One afternoon, I attended a graduation ceremony for young women who had completed Sunnybrook’s Faith and Finance program and job-readiness training.
Before arriving, I expected nothing more than a small graduation ceremony with a few staff members gathered to celebrate. I had no idea it would become one of the most memorable experiences of my summer.
As each graduate crossed the stage, her smile reflected how proud she was of what she had accomplished. The ceremony was not simply about completing a program. It represented overcoming challenges, developing confidence, learning new skills, and taking another step toward a brighter future.
I could see how much the moment meant to each graduate.
As I looked around the room, I began thinking about the people who had come to support them. For many of us, attending a ceremony may feel like one more commitment in an already busy day. For me, being there was part of showing up for work.
But in that room, I realized that showing up was the work.
Every clap, every smile, and every word of encouragement communicated something important: You matter. We are proud of you. We believe in you.
That realization changed the way I think about love and service.
Love does not always appear through a grand gesture. Sometimes it looks like sitting in an audience. Sometimes it is celebrating another person’s success, offering encouragement, or simply being present when someone needs to know she is not alone.
Many of us are fortunate to have family members, friends, teachers, or mentors who consistently show up for us. It can be easy to take that support for granted. Not everyone has always had that kind of encouragement.
The young women Sunnybrook serves have faced challenges many of us will never fully understand, yet they continue to demonstrate strength, courage, and determination. Watching those graduates celebrate their accomplishments reminded me that everyone deserves to have someone in her corner.
I left the ceremony with a different perspective and a changed heart.
Sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do for another person is not solve every problem she faces. Sometimes it is simply being there.
More Than Professional Experience
When I began this internship, I expected to grow as a communications student. I wanted practical experience, stronger professional skills, and a better understanding of how public relations works within an organization.
I gained all of those things, but the most important lessons I learned were personal.
My time at Sunnybrook encouraged me to approach life with greater gratitude and compassion. Like everyone else, I wake up with concerns that can feel very important in the moment. This experience reminded me to keep those concerns in perspective.
That does not mean our own struggles do not matter. It means we can learn to recognize the blessings around us while remaining more aware of what others may be carrying.
A kind word, a shared moment of encouragement, or someone taking the time to be present can mean more than we realize. Sunnybrook taught me to slow down, appreciate the people who have always supported me, and pay closer attention to the small opportunities I have to support others.
It also strengthened my faith and changed my understanding of service. What I thought would be a summer internship became a place where I grew in my character, my perspective, and my understanding of what it means to use my abilities for a meaningful purpose.
Making the Work Count
One lesson I will carry into my future education and career is this: Make the opportunity count.
Whether you are choosing an internship, accepting your first job, or deciding where to invest your time, look for work you can believe in. Passion for an organization’s mission is reflected in the quality of your work and in the way you represent that organization.
As communicators, we become an extension of the organizations we serve. Every detail matters from the words we choose, the ideas we contribute, the campaigns we develop, the events we support, and the way we respond when help is needed.
Who you choose to work for matters. How you show up matters just as much.
As I move forward in my career, I want to approach every opportunity with enthusiasm, integrity, creativity, and a desire to produce meaningful results. I want my work to reflect not only professional skill, but also genuine care for the people and mission behind it.
For another student considering an internship or volunteer opportunity at Sunnybrook, my advice would be to come ready to learn and willing to serve. Take the time to understand the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Help wherever you are needed. Do not be afraid to share your ideas, because your perspective may contribute something important.
Most of all, pay attention to what the experience is teaching you beyond the work itself.
What I Will Carry Forward
As my summer at Sunnybrook comes to an end, I know I will miss the people who made this experience so meaningful. I am grateful for every conversation, every lesson, every opportunity, and every person who welcomed and encouraged me along the way.
When people think about Sunnybrook, they often ask, “How can I give back?”
That is an important question. But my experience has felt like the opposite.
Sunnybrook has given far more to me than I could ever give in return.
It gave me professional experience, but it also gave me a clearer sense of purpose. It strengthened my faith, expanded my compassion, and reminded me of the difference that can be made when people choose to be present for one another.
Sunnybrook will always hold a special place in my heart because it has become part of my story.
I came hoping to make a difference.
In the end, I was the one who was changed.
And the lesson I will carry with me is simple: Showing up may seem like a small act, but to someone who needs encouragement, it can mean the world.