Scrolling through the UF Jobs listing website, a curly-haired sophomore sought opportunities relevant to her major, Media Production Management and Technology. Emily Webster stumbled upon the Smathers Libraries communications internship.
Her first thought was, “I don’t know if I’m qualified for this.”
In her interview, Emily was enthusiastic and hid her nerves well, claiming she was “down for anything” even though she had never done anything on camera. Fast forward, two years and four semesters later and Emily has become a face of the Libraries.
Her production credits include the famous Smathers Golfcart video, a Rocky style finals week montage, multiple graphic design projects, a VOX style video on special collections, popular Halloween ghosts video, serving as a stock photo model, riding on the Homecoming parade float, library tour guide video series, videographer for social media projects and has donned the SASCwatch suit.
The communications internship started in the fall of 2023, with Emily as one of the inaugural interns. Since then, the program has hosted six interns, many of them repeating semesters. Students receive a stipend, professional development training and mentorship. Emily’s future plans include creating impactful media pieces for either a non-profit or documentary filmmaker.
She says, “The Libraries have given me my whole portfolio. Working for them has given me all of this experience. I wouldn’t be where I am today without this internship.”
