Intern Spotlight: Giovanna Gutierrez

Internship Supports Exploration of Digital Media, Community Engagement 

What is it like to be an intern at the Humanities Research Institute (HRI)? We sat down with a few of our student workers to find out. We spoke with Giovanna Gutierrez (English), HRI's communications and outreach Intern for 2022-2023. 

Interview by Tavion Brooks, David F. Prindable Intern

What made you interested in HRI's communications and outreach internship?

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I got interested in the opportunity after reading about it in an email from my I Promise mentor. As I read the description, I thought it resonated with what I was looking for: a hands-on experience in an area involving digital content, which is what I want to pursue later in the future—that also combined with my passion for community engagement and service.

How do you think more students can benefit from being involved and having connections to HRI?

Prior to working with HRI, I had little knowledge of how extensive the humanities were on-campus, so I think other students can benefit greatly from being involved. There are different opportunities and events offered through HRI. One is bound to find something to attend that can later have a greater impact on them.

What has been your favorite project to work on?

I have had a lot of fun working on our Instagram stories and grid posts. I got to experiment with my creativity and become acquainted with not just Canva, but also U of I's preferred content formats. It was an interesting and overall great learning experience. I also discovered that while it may appear simple, those Instagram posts went through numerous drafts in order to be as clean, enjoyable, and engaging as possible.

What have you learned from working in the humanities? How can you apply what you have learned in the future?

If working in the humanities has taught me anything, it is that I am extremely lucky. The humanities cover all aspects of human thought and creation, including language, culture, history, art, philosophy, and more. There is a lot to do and gain from being a part of HRI. Furthermore, it reveals a lot about who we are, who the people around us are, and how we connect with one another. Personally, I plan to use the research and communication skills I learned in the future, while keeping in mind the value and meaning of working in the humanities.

What advice would you give to future interns? 

Do not be afraid to venture outside of your comfort zone! This opportunity is intended to push you in a creative yet educational way.