COMM 368: Interning at Chartway: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at My Communications Internship

By Isabel Hipolito

Summer 2025 | Old Dominion University | Communications Major

📸 Week One to Wrap-Up: A Visual Recap

My communications internship at Chartway Credit Union gave me more than just professional experience—it gave me a sense of direction, community, and confidence in my skills. I captured moments throughout the internship that tell the story better than words alone.

What Chartway Did Well (and What Could Be Even Better)

From the very beginning, the communications team made me feel like a valued part of the organization. I was encouraged to contribute to real projects, sit in on strategy meetings, and get direct feedback.

What could make the experience even stronger? A structured onboarding timeline would help future interns ease in confidently during those first few weeks.

SMART Goals in Action

During my time at Chartway, I set clear, actionable SMART goals:

Completed: Contribute to at least 2 major communications deliverables➡️ Result: I helped write 4 internal newsletters and *1 external community story.

Adjusted: Lead a social media campaign. What happened: I didn’t gain platform access, but I collaborated on captions and creative direction—strengthening my strategic content skills.

What I Learned About Myself & My Career Path

This internship helped me realize that I want to work in strategic communication, but not just in traditional PR. I discovered a passion for internal communications and storytelling that uplifts employee and community voices.

Roles I never considered before, like employee engagement coordinator or content strategist, are now on my radar.

Skills That Will Stick With Me

Here’s what I gained from my Chartway experience:

• Professional Writing: I learned to write with clarity, tone, and intention for a real audience.

• Digital Storytelling: I crafted narratives that aligned with Chartway’s mission and values.

• Project Coordination: I managed drafts, revisions, and publication timelines with a team.

What's Next for Me?

Now that my internship has wrapped up, I’m more focused than ever on pursuing opportunities in:

• Internal communication

• Corporate social responsibility messaging

• Community-focused content creation

I plan to:

• Strengthen my LinkedIn and continue networking

• Apply for entry-level communications roles at values-driven organizations

• Grow my portfolio with more writing samples and reflections like this

Advice for the Next Chartway Intern

Here’s what I would tell the next person lucky enough to intern with the Chartway communications team:

• Document everything—your work is more impressive than you think.

• Speak up during meetings; your perspective matters.

• Ask for feedback regularly—it’s how you grow.

Career-Readiness Competencies in Action

As I reflect on my growth, here are three NACE Career-Readiness Competencies that I developed through my internship:

1. Communication

From internal newsletters to external community content, I adapted my writing to meet the tone and expectations of different audiences.

Example: I rewrote a department-wide update to improve clarity and alignment with the company's voice.

2. Critical Thinking

When we had to pivot communications due to a last-minute event change, I helped redesign messaging and visual assets quickly and effectively.

3. Professionalism

I held myself to high standards, met deadlines, and participated in team discussions with confidence. Feedback became a tool, not a critique.

Final Thoughts

This internship was more than a line on my résumé—it was a launching point. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned into the next chapter of my professional journey.