Watching early 2000s rom-coms didn’t just entertain me — they shaped me. The strong-willed protagonists, effortlessly balancing their careers in media, fashion and communications, became my inspiration. Their world of magazine offices, PR events and editorial meetings sparked my dream of becoming the “communications it-girl” I always admired. I am now in the midst of my own career montage — striving, evolving and making things happen, just like the go-getter heroines I grew up admiring.
As a student majoring in Public Relations and minoring in Graphic Design at the University of Tennessee, I have sought out opportunities to build my communications and design skills.
At The Daily Beacon I discovered my passion for journalism and the reward of impactful storytelling. I began by covering the Lady Vols basketball and volleyball seasons. Having played both sports in high school, I felt confident analyzing games and understanding each unique narrative. Through this experience, I enhanced my writing skills, mastered AP style, navigated interviews and press conferences, and produced over 45 sports articles in my first year. While I loved journalism, I soon realized I wanted to explore the broader field of communications through a public relations lens.
That passion led me to an incredible summer internship at McNeely Brockman Public Relations in Nashville, TN. The experience provided an immersive introduction to PR, where I gained hands-on skills in media relations, social media management and strategic communication. From participating in a TV shoot for a client to crafting press releases, media pitches, and social media content, I saw firsthand the power of storytelling in shaping public perception. Beyond technical skills, the mentorship I received was invaluable — my team’s guidance strengthened my writing, refined my pitching skills and gave me the confidence to launch a fashion beat at The Daily Beacon. This experience solidified my passion for PR and showed me the impact of collaboration, mentorship and authentic storytelling in the industry.
In addition to verbal and written communication, I have a deep appreciation for visual storytelling, which led me to pursue a minor in graphic design. My summer internship experience helped me secure a graphic design internship with Enrollment Management Communications at UT. There, I designed graphics for campus-wide communications and prospective student outreach, analyzed social media performance and conducted competitor analysis on other universities’ social media strategies. The role allowed me to be creative in brainstorming engaging content ideas that would enhance UT’s marketing efforts.
Fashion is a key part of how I express my identity — I wear something that once belonged to my mom or grandma every day. My love for fashion inspired me to pitch and create a dedicated fashion beat at The Daily Beacon, where I develop original story ideas and connect withstudents, faculty and alumni. This experience has reinforced my belief that my aspirations in fashion PR are attainable, thanks to the media opportunities available at UT. Through my reporting, I built a connection with The Fashion Society, interviewing members of its executive board and pitching future story ideas. I later joined the club and earned a leadership role on the executive board’s social media committee. Recently, I have challenged myself to approach my social media responsibilities with a PR-focused mindset, including promoting a club-partnered vintage store by incorporating its pieces into club content.
In the spring semester, I served as a student assistant on the communications team at the College of Emerging and Collaborative Studies, an exciting new college at UT. Being part of something new and innovative has been a rewarding experience. I have designed graphics, developed web pages and will soon learn how to manage webinars. With each opportunity, I continue to grow as a communicator, blending my passion for PR, journalism, design and fashion into a future career that excites me. I am eager to return to this position in the fall and learn more about the innovative technology that is driving the future.
Currently, I am studying abroad in Florence, Italy. I hope to gain more insight into Italian culture and build my global communications skills. I am taking a luxury brand management class and a “Florence Bites” class that delves into the cultural significance of popular Florentine foods. I am excited to capture the fashion scene, food and culture of Italy through my “Madeline in Florence” blog.
Like the leading ladies in my cherished 2000s rom-coms, I am in a period of personal growth — exploring the world, inviting new challenges and learning more about myself with each adventure.
Madeline in Florence 