For communication major Amanda “Mandy” Sisul ’25, telling meaningful stories has always been at the heart of her work. After graduating from Bushnell University this past May with a concentration in public relations, she spent the summer exploring opportunities that would give her real-world experience in sports media and discovered just how fast-paced, creative, and dynamic the field can be.
“I wore a lot of different hats, and once a week I felt like I was doing something completely new,” Sisul said. “From filming TikToks to interviewing players after games, I got to try so many things. It helped me figure out what I enjoy and what I’m good at.”
One of her internships was with Harvest House Publishers, a long-established Christian publishing company known for producing biblically grounded books and resources that address Christian living, cultural issues, and spiritual growth, where she served as a media and communications intern. The other internship was with the Springfield Drifters, a collegiate summer baseball team, which she discovered unexpectedly after noticing a poster with a QR code in the office of Career Development Coordinator Whitney Shoun, M.A., scanning it on her way to the restroom, and applying that same day. Both roles immersed her in hands-on learning and helped her step confidently into the world of digital and sports communication.
We caught up with Sisul to hear more about the two summer internships, what she learned through hands-on experience, and how the opportunities helped shape her professional goals.
Learning and Creating in Real Time
Sisul arrived prepared, thanks in part to mentorship from professor Christy Silverthorne, M.A., whose marketing classes and guidance helped shape her interests.
“When I asked about internships, she gave me a list of ideas,” Sisul said. “Harvest House stood out, and she even put in a good word for me.”
Once there, Sisul quickly learned that game-day media work is unpredictable and energizing. She created content for Instagram and TikTok, photographed games from the dugout, helped run on-field promotions, researched audiences, and supported influencer engagement. Some days she live-tweeted action on the field; other days she built graphics or collected behind-the-scenes footage.
Her favorite moments were postgame interviews. “I loved getting to talk with players after a game,” she said. “It was really awesome.”
A highlight came when she filmed a playful clip during a game in Corvallis. She posted it on TikTok with a humorous audio, and the video took off, earning more than 175,000 views.
“That was really cool,” she said. “I added it to my resume immediately.”
Gaining Confidence Through Mistakes and Mentorship
More impactful than the viral moment, however, were the people she worked with.
“They’re all really great,” Sisul said. “I made mistakes, and I would take them really personally at first. But everyone was supportive. They wanted me to succeed.”
That encouragement helped her embrace trial-and-error learning, understand how professional sports organizations communicate with fans, and build confidence in her storytelling abilities.
Across both internships, Sisul gained technical skills in photography, editing, and rapid content production, as well as an understanding of brand voice, consumer interaction, and social media strategy. She also discovered that she thrives in environments where every day looks different.
“I don’t know what niche of professional sports I want yet,” she said, “but after this summer, I feel ready to tackle whatever comes next.”
Advice for Future Students
Sisul encourages other Bushnell students to take advantage of internship opportunities, even the unexpected ones.
“Apply for the internship. Try things you haven’t done before,” she said. “You’re going to make mistakes, but you’ll be surrounded by people who want you to achieve your goals. That makes all the difference.”
Her summer of learning, experimenting, and growing gave her a clearer sense of direction and a strong foundation for her professional future.
Bushnell University encourages all students to explore internships that challenge them in new ways. To learn more about internship and career opportunities, visit bushnell.edu/career-development.