Donor-funded internship helped Emma change trajectory

January 2025

Coming from a big family, Emma Taylor knew she would be responsible for much of her college funding. When she started at BYU, donor-funded scholarships were a big help, but she eventually realized she would also need a student job.

An avid writer, Emma started out pursuing a degree in animation but soon switched to editing and publishing, where she realized her love for editing. “On a personal level I am really big into writing, but professionally, I’m more interested in helping others,” says Emma.

In the fall of 2022, she found herself looking for work. Having previously worked as a janitor, she hoped to find something more in line with her career goals.

At an internship fair, she discovered an opportunity at the Religious Studies Center working as an assistant editor. Internships like this are largely donor funded and provide real-world experience that can strongly influence the career arc for a student like Emma.

Now with a couple of years of part-time experience under her belt, she feels her opportunities have greatly expanded.

Emma is grateful for the help donors have offered and the mentoring she has experienced in her position at the Religious Studies Center. “It is nice to know that all my hours of work are helping me acquire the tools for my career.