What I Learned at SEWC: A Year of Growth in Wind Energy Communications
Becks Frank
SEWC Social Media & Communications Intern (June 2024 - June 2025)
By Becks Frank, Social Media & Communications Intern at the Southeastern Wind Coalition
Last May, while finishing up my senior year at Western Kentucky University, I was on the hunt to secure a flexible, part-time internship that would let me professionally grow while wrapping up school. That’s when I came across Southeastern Wind Coalition’s post for a Social Media and Communications Intern. I prepared my application and nervously hit send. As a public relations major with a minor in nonprofit administration, my coursework focused on topics like grant writing and graphic design, not renewable energy. But SEWC’s mission resonated with me, and I was eager to learn, so I applied.
Fast forward a year, and I’m so glad I took that leap. I have learned so much, not just about wind energy, but about nonprofit communications, digital strategy, and even how to combat misinformation. My year with SEWC has been incredibly enlightening and enriching, and I am incredibly grateful for it.
I came into this internship eager to learn, and there was a lot to take in. But thanks to the support of my manager, Jaxon Tolbert, and the broader SEWC team, I had the resources to become familiar with wind energy and build real confidence. So much so that I had the opportunity to create this fact sheet on the benefits of wind energy. I was given the time to research and understand communications best practices in the renewable energy sphere. One key takeaway is that the most effective messaging isn’t always about combating misinformation directly. Instead, emphasizing the positive economic benefits that wind energy brings, like long-term tax revenue for host counties and stable lease payments to participating landowners, is often a more effective way to connect with audiences. This approach was not my first instinct, but it taught me that analyzing campaigns and audiences are vital parts of a communications strategy- one that builds support for clean energy even if it happens behind the scenes.
The support and guidance the team provided was incredibly insightful and helped set the precedent for the rest of my time with SEWC, opening the door to meaningful work that helped me grow and also strengthened SEWC’s overall communications practices.
Throughout my internship, I had the chance to lead and support a variety of projects and see their impact in real time. Some of my favorite highlights include:
Managing social media daily across LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, and Threads.
Contributing to SEWC hitting 1M+ impressions in a single month for the first time in March 2025.
Writing and publishing blog content, including “Beyond the Breeze: Unexpected Benefits of Wind Energy in the Southeast”, which has drawn nearly 2,000 page views.
Curating and sending regular newsletters via Mailchimp to audiences of up to 1,500.
Refining messaging through campaign support, content strategy, and monthly performance reports.
Even though I worked remotely, I wasn’t alone — I was often visited by my cat, Fred, who became a frequent guest on video calls and spent most days supervising from my desk.
What I was expecting to be a seasonal internship turned out to be a year-long position with an organization I loved working for. The more I leaned in, the more I learned - and more than anything, I’m glad I could play a part in building the momentum that will help SEWC’s communications continue to grow.
As my time with SEWC comes to a close, I can’t help but feel bittersweet. I’ll miss working with this wonderful team, but I’m so excited to see what’s ahead, especially with a new communications manager and intern stepping in. For anyone studying communications, public relations, marketing, or similar fields, don’t count the nonprofit sector out. There are many excellent opportunities within organizations like SEWC that are working every day to make the world around us a little better.
To the next intern: I wish you well! Take every opportunity to learn, and don’t be afraid to ask questions and share your perspective. This is a great place to grow your skills and be part of a meaningful organization. I hope you find as much value in the experience as I did.
During my break, I would volunteer to feed my family’s animals when I had the time, including two horses. Pictured here is our pony, Scout.
