Student's internship hones skills and offers opportunity to give back to her community
These days, it seems that internships are the key to students’ futures — a shining star on a resume. But an internship is so much more than a sparkle on one’s professional history. Internships are a great way to learn about, and get experience in, desired professions and gain a treasure trove of skills to set students up for success. And sometimes they can be even more, as Anja Hemesath discovered during her internship at Richmond magazine.
Hemesath, a Richmond native, is now a senior majoring in English literature, professional and technical writing, and creative writing. She spent the spring semester of her junior year virtually interning at the regional magazine, learning about magazine writing and journalism.
She wrote articles for Richmond magazine on a variety of topics, including a piece in memory of Richmond artist Wes Freed, a story on a charity drive for Child Abuse Prevention Month, and maker’s blurbs — features on local small craft businesses.
“I truly enjoyed writing the piece on Wes Freed,” she said. “Everyone I interviewed spoke so highly of him and was filled with passion for his work. They were so thankful for his contributions to the community.”
Hemesath had a full course load and two jobs at the time and the internship was time consuming. But she persevered, and it paid off. She gained invaluable knowledge during her time with the magazine that will prepare her for future opportunities.
“I’ll be able to include the work that was published in my online portfolio,” Hemesath said, “And the skills that I practiced there — how to interview people, cold calling, writing articles — it’s something I have to do constantly for my current job so it’s very relevant.”
But for her, the work at the magazine was more than just resume decor because it wasn’t just what the internship could do for her but what she could do for Richmond through her time there.
“I appreciated being able to contribute to the Richmond magazine as an individual who lives in the Richmond area," she said. "It felt nice to be able to give back to the community in that aspect."
Hemesath’s internship counted as a bridge experience, meaning she not only gained real world experience but also received school credit for it. The bridge experience is a great opportunity for students to make the most of their education by doing an internship for college credit.
As part of Virginia Tech’s commitment to experiential learning, many academic majors, including English, require students to complete a bridge experience before graduation. These are immersive, career-building opportunities to connect classroom learning to real-world professional environments through internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, or community-based learning. By spring 2027, an estimated 4,000 students will complete a bridge experience each year.
“Internships are an invaluable part of educating English majors and preparing them for rewarding careers,” said Kelly Pender, professor and chair of the English department. “Not only do internships provide students with hands-on experience, but they also show students the range of careers available to English majors. We are lucky to have a robust Bridge Experience Program that is staffed by caring, well-connected faculty and that provides students with a number of possibilities for meeting their experiential learning requirements.”
Interning at Richmond magazine isn’t the only internship experience Hemesath has had while at Virginia Tech. Prior to that, she interned at Southern Bride, a Tennessee-based bridal magazine that covers everything wedding related and more. She thrived in this internship and was offered a paid job with them. As a digital features writer, she produces articles about real weddings and even covers some of their styled challenges, which are competitions for wedding designers.
Hemesath currently is interning with Virginia Tech Communications and Marketing, where she writes stories that feature in Virginia Tech News, covering a multitude of subjects including alumni profiles and new student listicles.
Hemesath’s many internships have, in addition to adding to her resume, provided her with a range of skills that have illuminated her path forward. Internships can, and do, as Hemesath proves, open up many doors that can lead to opportunities and be a head start into one’s professional life.
“The ability to take that initial unpaid internship might pay off in the future if it helps you get a job. It’s a privilege to be able to take that unpaid opportunity,” Hemesath said. “Being able to immerse yourself in different types of internships eliminates things you know you don’t want to do and things you aren’t interested in so you can apply for things that you are interested in."
Written by Sarah Leberknight, a junior majoring in English literature, creative writing, and professional and technical writing
