Sarah Sloan - Summer 2025 Social Media Intern at BET (Completing an Internship: 5 points)

 

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern in New York City with BET, a subsidiary of Paramount, as a Social Media Intern. Over ten weeks, I experienced firsthand how creativity, strategy, and cultural storytelling intertwine to shape the media that informs and inspires millions.

A central theme throughout my internship was the idea that social media is a form of storytelling that holds power to connect, represent, and redefine culture. At BET, every post and campaign was crafted with intentionality, amplifying the richness of Black stories and perspectives. While working across BET specific content, VH1, and Tyler Perry's Sistas, I saw how data-driven insights and creative intuition work together to sustain engagement while honoring authenticity.

This experience expanded my understanding of communication beyond aesthetics and numbers. It challenged me to think critically about the ethics of representation and the importance of telling stories that resonate truthfully with the communities they depict.

Professionally, this internship strengthened my adaptability and confidence. I learned to manage fast-paced deadlines, pitch ideas during creative sessions, and refine my voice to align with the brand’s mission. Personally, I discovered how much I thrive in collaborative, idea-driven spaces where feedback and innovation go hand in hand.

I also learned to trust my perspective as a storyteller. Seeing my ideas evolve from drafts to live posts, especially in contributing to the 2025 BET Awards, reminded me that creativity carries weight, especially when used to celebrate underrepresented voices.

The lessons I learned at BET extend far beyond digital media. Understanding how to blend authenticity with strategy has applications in nearly every field, whether that’s marketing, community work, or content creation. Moving forward, I plan to use these skills to craft narratives that not only engage audiences but also empower them.

My internship at BET affirmed my belief that storytelling, when done with intention, has the potential to unite audiences of all backgrounds, socio-economists scale, and gender identity. And that’s the kind of impact I aspire to make wherever my career takes me next.

By Sarah J. Sloan