For Rebecca Balayla, National Geographic was more than a prestigious internship. It was a brand she had known since childhood, watching its programs and documentaries with her father and admiring the stories and locations she saw on screen. 

So, when the senior Public Relations & Strategic Communication major came across a NatGeo internship opportunity while scrolling through LinkedIn, she knew she wanted to apply. She didn’t know anyone who worked there and was nervous that she didn’t have enough experience, but after asking Professor Scott Talan to review her résumé, Rebecca took a chance and landed a summer role as a Brand and Franchise intern. 

Her experience at American University’s School of Communication (AU SOC) had already helped her build confidence in the skills she would use throughout the summer. She overcame a fear of public speaking thorugh a course with Professor Gemma Puglisi, which pushed her to become more comfortable adressing a group, to the extent that she won the course's “Most Inspiring Speech” award. It’s a strength she later put into practice while presenting to NatGeo leadership. “Take the risk in talking to anyone and everyone; you never know when one person could give you a life-changing opportunity,” said Rebecca.  

Although she had never held an internship, her time in the Spring 2026 Storytellying for Changemaking cohort had prepared her for the workplace. As part of the Research Innovation and Operations team, Rebecca was able to work directly with a real-world client on the opening of Botiwalla, part of the Chai Pani restaurant group, through SOC3, a student-run integrated communication agency.  

“I’m incredibly proud of Rebecca, and the way she has translated what she learned in SOC3 into the professional world,” said professor and SOC3 Director Pallavi Kumar. “Rebecca’s experience is exactly why SOC3 was created - to give students meaningful, real-world experience working with actual clients while they are still on campus. The fact that her work with SOC3 helped her secure a prestigious internship is a powerful example of how experiential learning can open doors for students.” 

At NatGeo, she gained a behind-the-scenes look at how a global media organization communicates across audiences and departments. Her work included building an internal newsletter for Disney and NatGeo executives from scratch, working on a project for Weird But True aimed at younger audiences, and creating videos for the social media team. She also shadowed other departments, including post-production, an experience that sparked a new interest in video editing and production. 

“I was so surprised by the presence that AU alumni have in NatGeo,” Rebecca says. Throughout the summer, she encountered numerous AU alumni, including Sarah Tebi Williams, her supervisor, who became an important mentor. 

“Sarah was genuinely my number one supporter throughout my time at NatGeo,” Rebecca says. When Rebecca began applying for full-time positions within the Walt Disney Company, which acquired National Geographic in 2019, Sarah sat down with her to review her résumé and shared lessons from her own experience earning an MBA at AU. 

Rebecca also connected with Ethan Kauffman, SOC/BA ’26 before starting her internship. Having completed his own NatGeo  internship the previous summer, Ethan offered advice and insight as she prepared to begin her experience. 

For Rebecca, the internship expanded both her professional skills and her interests. What began as an opportunity to work for a company she had admired since childhood became a chance to explore new areas of communications and discover career possibilities she had not previously considered. 

Her advice to other SOC students pursuing opportunities like hers is simple: “It’s okay to be uncomfortable.” She encourages students to ask questions, stay eager to learn and, most importantly, apply—even when they are not sure they will get the opportunity.