More Than Just an Internship

My time at Project Write Now has been nothing short of amazing. From attending programs and workshops in Asbury Park to helping create social media content from storytelling events, this experience has transformed my idea of community and writing. 

Since the beginning of last summer, I dove head first into outreach through attending and volunteering at Sound Bytes, a live storytelling event that was part of the Prudential North to Shore Festival and held at the Salvation Army in Asbury Park. It was an overwhelming yet deeply rewarding experience, and an exciting introduction to my internship. After that first event, I became particularly interested in capturing the energy of PWN’s programs. I began creating short promotional videos for social media, aiming to reflect the emotional depth and connection present at each event. Through this work, I wanted to show people the power of storytelling and writing, which I came to understand and value through this experience.

As I became more involved, I developed a strong relationship with Meredith Avakian and became the Community Outreach & Engagement intern. In this role, I not only supported outreach initiatives, but also expanded my involvement in PWN Teen. I helped promote and organize teen open mics and programs, developing into the role of a PWN Teen Ambassador. One of my first projects was supporting Write & Reverie, a teen open mic organized by fellow ambassador Skyla Bicca. Through her leadership, I saw firsthand how youth voices could be amplified through intentional programming. Capturing these moments was inspiring, as I was so grateful to experience the effects of dedication and community.

Both of my latest projects with PWN, however, have also been my largest—Firefly: Stories on Stage and a PWN Teen Café Open Mic. These two events have allowed me to witness storytelling at their most powerful. It felt necessary for the teens and adults alike to share their stories, and I was glad that these spaces gave them the ability to express themselves fully. At Firefly, I have been able to grow with the event, taking note of changes that should be made as well as capturing the energy into a promotional video for social media. At the teen open mic, I stepped up to host last minute and did my best to create a welcoming environment for the teens that simply needed a supportive environment. 

PWN quickly became more than just an internship; it was a stepping stone into both my personal and creative growth. It taught me how to engage with my community in a meaningful way, how to use my skills in communications to amplify others’ voices, and how storytelling serves as a tool for connection and change. Through every event, every video, and every interaction, I saw how writing has the ability to bring people together, and I will continue to bring this with me in both my future career and how I choose to engage with the world.