HomeBlogStudent Voices Edits, Insights, and Illustrator: My CEL Internship Experienceby Leslie Aviles MendozaJune 20, 2025 Share: Section NavigationSkip section navigationIn this sectionBlog Home AI and Engaged Learning Assessment of Learning Capstone Experiences CEL News CEL Retrospectives CEL Reviews Collaborative Projects and Assignments Community-Based Learning Data Literacy Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity ePortfolio Feedback First-Year Experiences Global Learning Health Sciences High Impact Practices Immersive Learning Internships Learning Communities Mentoring Relationships Online Education Place-Based Learning Professional and Continuing Education Publishing SoTL Reflection and Metacognition Relationships Residential Learning Communities Service-Learning Signature Work Student Leadership Student-Faculty Partnership Studying EL Supporting Neurodivergent and Physically Disabled Students Undergraduate Research Work-Integrated Learning Writing Transfer in and beyond the University Style Guide for Posts to the Center for Engaged Learning Blog During my final semester at Elon, I was able to work as a Publishing Intern with the Center for Engaged Learning (CEL). This internship experience became a space where I was able to not only apply what I learned in classes as a strategic communications major, but also a space where I was able to gain insights into the world of publishing, editing, and design. My Work During my time with CEL, I was assigned various projects that allowed me to explore and learn. I worked on many projects, including: Copyediting blog posts for clarity and adherence to an in-house editorial style guide Using Search Engine Optimization tools in WordPress Using Chicago Manual of Style Designing visuals and graphics in Adobe Illustrator in various sizes for different social media and web platforms Expanded my skills using tools in Adobe Creative Suite My first major assignment was to develop a social media design concept for an open access book being published by CEL, Inclusive Pedagogy in Practice. I was a bit nervous to take on this assignment initially, but it taught me how design plays an important role in academic publishing, and it challenged me to think both creatively and critically. Design helps to communicate a book’s tone and message before readers even open a page to read. In the end I created a design package that I was proud of. A sample of the social media package is included below in Instagram dimensions. Takeaways This internship helped me develop more than just technical skills. I learned the importance of having patience, especially when working with creative and detail-oriented projects such as editing and designing. It was overwhelming at times, but it taught me how to navigate those challenges. For example, when I felt burnt out or hit a creative block, I would switch tasks to give myself mental space or research similar work for inspiration. It allowed me to learn how to manage my time effectively and find strategies to stay motivated. I am grateful for the opportunity to have grown in an environment that values thoughtful communication and engaged learning. As I prepared for graduation, I knew I would take what I have learned during my time with the Center for Engaged Learning and carry it with me into the next chapter. I’m excited to continue sharpening my voice and style through freelance and magazine opportunities while also embracing adventure such as teaching English in Spain. I’m not exactly sure where the road will lead, but I’m confident that the skills and experiences I’ve gained with the CEL will guide me in meaningful and creative directions. About the Author Leslie Aviles Mendoza worked as a Publishing intern at the Center for Engaged Learning in the spring of 2025 while she was a senior Strategic Communications major with minors in Business Administration and Latin American Studies. How to Cite this Post Aviles Mendoza, Leslie. 2025. “Edits, Insights, and Illustrator: My CEL Internship Experience.” Center for Engaged Learning (Blog). Elon University, June 20, 2025. https://www.centerforengagedlearning.org/edits-insights-and-illustrator-my-cel-internship-experience.
