Balanced Internship Spotlight: Inside the Communications Team Experience

Introduction

My name is Stephanie and I’m a rising junior and Macaulay Honors student at CUNY Queens College. I’m majoring in Food Management Studies and am interested in food accessibility and nutrition education. Growing up in New York City has exposed me to so many cultures and shown me the unique significance that food has to each person, which definitely influenced my love for cooking and health. Aside from food, I love going to concerts and festivals with my friends, or enjoying a slow day at home with a coloring book. 

I had the opportunity to intern at Balanced thanks to the Reducetarian Fellowship, an incredible experience of learning and self-reflection. During the academic year, we learn about the factory farming industry through seminars and speakers. Towards the end of the curriculum, my fellowship director arranges a series of interviews to match each fellow with a partner organization for a 10-week summer internship. After the entire process, I was excited to be paired with Balanced. 

Interview with Stephanie

What originally drew you to Balanced’s mission, and how did that inspire you to pursue a communications internship here?

I was first introduced to Balanced at the 2024 Reducetarian Summit. I was intrigued by Balanced’s work to improve school menus, so I approached Chris at the exhibitor table to learn more. As we spoke, I was really drawn in by Balanced’s passion for improving children’s health, specifically through the Focus on Fiber campaign. At that time, I knew that I wanted to pursue an internship with Balanced because I wanted to learn more about adding fiber to our diets. During the interview process, I decided to pick the communications team because I wanted to learn more about content creation and how to convey messages through digital media. Also, being that this was my first internship, I felt that working in communications would equip me with universal skills that would prepare me for future opportunities.

Can you walk us through a typical “day in the life” as a Communications intern at Balanced?

I start my day by making breakfast and reviewing notes from the day before, then I check on Balanced’s social media as I eat. I work on my own projects until noon, which is when I’ll stop for lunch and a quick movement break (weights, yoga, pilates, or a simple stretch). I heavily attribute my focus to the movement break, especially since sitting all day can make my body and mind feel stagnant. Then, I’ll resume working and hopping on meetings until the late afternoon, and wrap up with some planning for the next day. 

Which project or campaign have you enjoyed working on the most, and why did it resonate with you?

I really enjoyed (and am most proud of) the rollout of my blog post “Fiber on a Budget: Affordable, Fiber Rich Foods for All Families and Kids.” Since this was my second blog, I was more confident in my writing than the first time. I decided to challenge my skills further by pairing this blog with an infographic, which I designed on Canva. After promoting the post on social media, I took it one step further by filming a TikTok. Even though I’ve mostly overcome my fear of public speaking, I’m still getting adjusted to being in front of a camera. Having full control over this blog post and how I wanted to expand my reach not only encouraged my creativity but also got me to step out of my comfort zone, which is something I value as I grow as an individual. 

Every communications role comes with challenges. What hurdles have you faced, and how did you overcome them (or what did they teach you)?

One of the first challenges I faced was figuring out Balanced’s tone and language. Ever since elementary school, I’ve always loved creative writing and writing in my own voice. As a result, it was tricky to take on the voice of a different entity (Balanced) and ensure my pieces held a consistent tone with the rest of Balanced’s work. One thing that really helped me understand the vibe of Balanced’s work was scrolling through existing publications such as the website and Instagram captions. This skill definitely requires practice, and I feel more confident with writing on Balanced’s behalf now compared to the start of my internship.

What’s one unexpected skill or insight you’ve gained that you’ll carry into future roles?

I’ve learned so much over the past 10 weeks, but the most unexpected insight that I’ve gained is how collaborative remote workplaces truly are. It’s easy to assume that the remote workers are more disconnected than in-office organizations, but I’ve developed meaningful relationships within the Balanced team from calls alone. There were many times that I was able to learn more about other team members beyond the work they do, which fostered a friendly, welcoming, and supportive environment. There are many pros and cons to remote workplaces, but interning with Balanced’s showed me how virtual coworking doesn’t inherently prevent connections like most assume. 

Has any piece of feedback or mentorship from the team had a particularly big impact on your growth?

There is one thing that has stuck with me from my initial interview with the Balanced team. I asked Chris what happens if I post something that doesn’t make it big, to which he reassured me that we learn from trial and error. Audrey added that there are so many benefits from missing, and often our mistakes are the best ways to grow. Looking back, this point definitely stands true throughout my internship. There were many times that I wasn’t sure how well a design would appeal, and team members would then help refine my drafts. I’ve grown to accept mistakes as part of the learning process, not just a sign of failure. 

If you could give advice to a future Balanced intern (or to your past self on day one), what would it be?

Don’t be afraid to reach out for help, especially if this is your first internship or you’re using platforms that you don’t have experience with. The Balanced team is super friendly and open to support you! Asking questions is a sign that you’re learning new skills. It’s unrealistic to expect yourself to know everything on day one, so never feel afraid to seek out support!

Where do you hope to take your passion for communications and public health next, and how has your time at Balanced influenced that path?

I definitely want to stay in the realm of nutrition advocacy. Seeing the combined impact of communications and institutional support on gathering support, spreading awareness, and executing change has inspired me to continue seeking out opportunities that work directly with the food service industry. I never really considered pursuing a career in communications before this internship, but now I’ve realized just how powerful the field truly is. Overall, my time with Balanced has really solidified my interest in improving the food system, especially in schools.    

Final thoughts? 

Just want to give a massive thank you to Reducetarian Foundation and Balanced for having me as a fellow and intern this year! My time with both organizations has changed my perspective towards the factory farming and plant-based worlds. Not only have I grown as a student, but I’ve grown as a person who values the impact of dietary changes.

I also want to thank Chris, Sofia, Michelle, and Whitney for all the support and for tailoring my experience to my interests. Thanks so much for having me!

Finally, let’s get personal: Outside of work, what activities or interests recharge you and keep your creativity flowing?

Daily movement: weights, pilates, yoga, cycling, walking, running, or anything that you genuinely enjoy. It makes a world of difference for your body and mind, especially if you’re sitting most of the day.

Music: Since I learned how to play piano as a kid, I’ve always been interested in discovering new and old music. Currently, I’m loving my rotation of modern pop, oldies, R&B, and acoustics. 

Cooking & baking: I’ve started experimenting a lot more with plant-based recipes over the past year, which has been so fun and rewarding.

Want to Apply for a Communications Internship at Balanced?

If you’re excited to contribute your talents to mission-driven communications work, we’d love to hear from you!

Applying for a Balanced Internship is easy; simply email communications@balanced.org with your preferred start date, the skills you’re eager to bring to the team, and your résumé or CV attached. Our team reviews applications on a rolling basis and will follow up with the next steps. The earlier you apply, the sooner you can start making a meaningful impact!