PR Major Makes a Difference while Gaining Valuable Internship Experience
By: Olivia Galio
For public relations junior, Stefanie Sadocha, joining Equiduct, Inc. in fall 2023 as a PR intern, was the perfect opportunity to combine her interest in social media management with her passion for community service. After finding the opportunity from an MSU PRSSA meeting, Sadocha was eager to get involved. She reached out to Equiduct, interviewed for the position, and now serves as the vibrant voice behind their Instagram presence.
Equiduct, Inc., founded in 2021 by MSU students John Henige and Jonas Padilla, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating educational inequality. Through free tutoring, financial literacy courses, and mentorship programs, EQ connects college volunteers to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Sadocha specializes in managing Equiduct’s Instagram, where she says she has seen significant growth in her PR skills, particularly in graphic design, despite starting with no prior experience in the field. She says her skills have improved immensely thanks to learning design tools such as Canva and Adobe, further preparing her for a career in PR.
In addition to graphic design, Sadocha has gained experience crafting social media posts, designing Instagram ads, and using analytics tools to track social media engagement. Sadocha highlights her role in creating successful social media ads as her biggest accomplishment so far during her time at Equiduct.
“The ads gained 13,000 views within five days. It was really rewarding to see the ad reach so many people, even some of my friends saw them and asked if I created them,” said Sadocha.
Yet, it’s not just about numbers for Sadocha; it’s about the tangible impact her projects make within the Lansing community.
“It’s rewarding to see how the Lansing community is positively impacted by our efforts,” said Sadocha. “The collaboration among the volunteers, PR team, and EQ’s founders, John and Jonas, show what can be achieved when passionate individuals come together to make a change.”
Sadocha encourages PR students to consider volunteering at Equiduct as part of their PR Field Experience graduation requirement. She says having the opportunity to apply what she’s learned in class, while making a positive difference in the community, has been fulfilling.
“Volunteering at Equiduct is a great opportunity for PR students because it’s very flexible and allows you the creative freedom to expand your skill set,” Sadocha said. “Getting involved is always rewarding, especially because EQ is directly impacting the MSU community. Any opportunity you seize now will benefit you in the future.”
Discover more impactful internship and volunteer opportunities through the MSU PR Field Experience Program at:
https://comartsci.msu.edu/academics/academic-departments/advertising-public-relations/undergraduate/public-relations-field