August 4, 2025 July 2025, Nicole McDavid, CAHS Career & Internship Coordinator UAH Communication Arts major Vivian Brock recently interned at Cullman Electric Cooperative, an organization dedicated to serving and connecting communities through reliable energy and fiber internet services. In her own words, Vivian shares her internship experience and how her College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences education prepared her to contribute meaningfully and grow professionally during her time there. About the Internship: During my internship with Cullman Electric Cooperative and Sprout Fiber Internet, I had the opportunity to gain valuable experience in numerous areas of communication and media. I worked 2nd Friday’s (promotional events), helping to plan, set up, and engage with the community to boost visibility and awareness. I also created graphics, edited videos, and helped produce both trivia-style and promotional videos that will be used across different digital platforms. Adding on, I contributed by updating member information, which required attention to detail and accuracy, and I applied my social media knowledge to create engaging content and increase audience interaction. Each task that CEC and Sprout Fiber Internet gave me allowed me to strengthen my communication skills while also developing a better understanding of branding and public engagement. This internship pushed me to apply creative thinking and my knowledge in new ways. I had the chance to work on real projects that directly impacted the organization’s outreach and public image. Being trusted with projects such as video editing and content creation showed me how important clear, consistent communication is in building relationships with a community. Overall, my experience has been incredibly rewarding and helped prepare me for future roles in media, public relations, and communication-focused fields. How my CAHS education helped: My education through the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHS) prepared me for the responsibilities I had during my internship. I never would have discovered this opportunity without the help of Ms. McDavid, who searches for internships not just in Huntsville, but in my hometown as well. The internship emails she sent out are not all local to UAH which made a huge difference and allowed me to gain professional experience with no commute, staying close to home. I relied heavily on the information and skills I gained from some of my CAHS courses, including Crisis Communication, Introduction to Public Relations, Public Speaking, and several others that taught me real-world application and critical thinking. The assignments and projects I completed in my CAHS courses helped me build a foundation in both written and visual communication. I felt confident voicing my opinion in creative discussions, presenting ideas, and understanding the importance of analyzing your audience, all of which were skills I practiced regularly during my internship. Whether I was editing a promotional video or creating graphics for an event, I clearly saw how my coursework prepared me to handle those tasks. My education not only gave me knowledge, but it also helped me grow professionally and gave me the courage to take initiative and contribute meaningfully to CEC and Sprout Fiber Internet. About Cullman Electric Cooperative: Cullman Electric Cooperative is a member-owned organization providing reliable energy and fiber internet services while actively engaging with the communities it serves. Through initiatives such as local events and digital outreach, the cooperative works to strengthen community connections and increase public awareness of its services. By combining dependable utility services with a commitment to community involvement, Cullman Electric Cooperative plays a vital role in supporting the areas it serves across North Alabama. About the Communication Arts Major: UAH's Communication Arts program offers students a comprehensive understanding of human communication, providing practical, critical, historical, and theoretical perspectives. This prepares them for careers, social life, and further academic studies. Gaining an understanding of the influence of media on communication, the various functions served by communication, and how people are persuaded are just a few of the many theoretical principles Communication Arts students learn. The program is designed for students who can write, speak, think critically, analyze, and imagine, and each class within the program enhances all of these skills.