From the bright lights of Los Angeles to the scenic hills of East Tennessee, Tombras School students are acquiring practical experience in industries that align with their passions and future goals.
The Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations encourages its students to pursue internships around the world. Internships provide an excellent opportunity for students to apply their classroom knowledge, explore potential career paths, and build valuable connections for their future careers. With the support of the school’s strong industry partnerships, students are discovering opportunities that align with their passions and future goals.
This summer, two students gained hands-on experience in distinctly different yet equally exciting environments, demonstrating that no matter the interests, there is an internship out there to help students grow.
Mia Cunningham’s Dream Internship with the NFL
Since childhood, Mia Cunningham dreamed of working with the NFL, and this summer that dream became a reality. Cunningham, who is a senior studying public relations, spent the past few months in Los Angeles as a social and influencer marketing intern for the league.
“I have actually wanted to work for the NFL specifically for over five years now. The goal was always to get there. That’s why I transferred to UT from a different school—to create opportunities like this one. I think it has paid off because it ultimately led me to my dream internship. After interning with the NFL, my dream remains the same. I hope to work with them full-time when I graduate,” she said.
Her internship in L.A. lasted 10 weeks, during which she worked with the social and influencer marketing department. Her department leads arranged for her to rotate among six different teams within the department, giving her insight into multiple aspects of the industry.
Cunningham’s summer with the NFL was anything but ordinary. A large portion of her workload included managing day-to-day responsibilities while supporting the league’s Social and Influencer Marketing department. Early in her internship, she had the opportunity to assist with one of the player social team’s biggest events, which was a workshop designed to help athletes strengthen their personal brands off the field.
Only three weeks into her internship, Cunningham suddenly found herself helping with IT needs for breakout rooms, working credential tables, and interacting directly with NFL players. The experience, she said, was surreal.
“I’m at this workshop with a bunch of NFL players, which I did not expect. The players were walking by, getting their credentials, and I was like, oh my gosh. These are NFL players! I did not think I was going to be doing this, but it was definitely the coolest experience I got to have,” she said.
Her time in the classroom at the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations proved to be invaluable preparation. Cunningham credits her public relations courses for shaping her perspective and decision-making during her time at the league.
“Players are the heartbeat of the NFL. They’re what makes this league run, and you never want to put a player in a bad position or put them in a bad light,” she explained. “Having my background in PR, I was able to think through a different lens.”
When reflecting on how she secured such a competitive internship, Cunningham pointed to one key factor: the interview process. While her resume demonstrated strong experience, she believes it was her preparation and confidence in interviews that set her apart.
“Nail the interview, honestly. I think that was the most important thing,” she said. “Know the brand. Do your research before you go into the interview on both the brand and your role. Know the mission statement or the company’s values and bring those up. They’ll be impressed that you took the time to do that. And when it comes to your role, think about ways you can already bring ideas to the table or have really good questions to ask.”
Riann Fann Learns about Guest Experience at Dollywood Internship
While Cunningham spent her summer with the NFL’s social and influencer marketing department in L.A., Rian Fann stayed closer to home, immersing himself in the guest experience at Dollywood as part of the PR and marketing teams. For Fann, the internship was a chance to put classroom knowledge into action at one of Tennessee’s most beloved destinations.
A large part of his role focused on community management and included responding to direct messages and Instagram stories Dollywood received or was tagged in.
“It gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how much thought goes into creating meaningful online interactions,” he explained. “Guests want quick, genuine responses, and that responsibility really helped me grow in professionalism and adaptability.”
Beyond community engagement, Fann also worked on content creation and strategy. He captured POV footage at Dollywood’s Splash Country, wrote food descriptions for the Summer Celebration menu, scheduled influencer visits, contributed to blog posts, and even helped create content calendars for Pink Jeep Adventure Tours. Each task gave him the chance to develop new skills while reinforcing the importance of keeping a consistent brand voice.
One of the most memorable projects was his Splash Country assignment.
“It was a fun mix of creativity and strategy,” he said. “Capturing POV footage meant thinking like a guest. How do you bring the thrill of a water coaster to someone scrolling on their phone? It was both challenging and rewarding.”
Looking back, Fann said his coursework in both the Tombras School and the School of Journalism and Media gave him the tools to succeed. Advertising and PR classes helped him approach projects strategically, while journalism courses sharpened his storytelling skills.
“Both majors helped me adapt quickly to different types of communication while keeping Dollywood’s brand voice consistent,” he shared.
Through the internship, he strengthened his writing, built confidence in community management, and learned how to juggle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. Most importantly, the experience helped him clarify his career goals.
“This internship confirmed that I want to work in PR and social media within the entertainment and tourism industry,” he said. “Returning to Dollywood professionally would be a dream.”
Advice on Student Internships
Fann’s advice to future interns is to be open and enthusiastic.
“Show passion for the company and be willing to try different projects. Some of my best learning experiences came from unexpected tasks, like writing food descriptions or filming POV content. And don’t underestimate how much your classwork prepares you. Those assignments really do translate into real-world skills,” he shared.
Both Cunningham and Fann agree that internships can feel daunting, especially when students compare themselves to others. Cunningham encourages her peers to remember there isn’t just one path to success.
“So many students struggle with feeling like they can’t achieve their dreams because of the experience they don’t have yet. But if you really want something, you can get it—if you’re willing to put in the work in a way that makes sense for you,” she said.
She emphasized that success doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s. “Find environments you can thrive in, internships, relationships, whatever it is, and work hard at that. You can get to where you want to go.”
Both students say their internships gave them an inside look at how communication shapes organizations, from protecting reputations on the national stage to crafting memorable guest moments in the Smoky Mountains. These opportunities not only gave them professional experience but also confirmed their passions and helped shape their career goals.
