Six Advertising and Public Relations students had the exclusive opportunity to intern with Epic Universe at Universal Studios Florida. Senior Instructor and Ad/PR Program Coordinator Lindsay Hudock explained the process of engaging Ad/PR students in this experience.
“I’m always looking for ways to connect students to the professional community for real-world application of course content and Epic presented an amazing opportunity,” she said. “Launching a theme park is a once-in-a-lifetime PR opportunity and I really wanted to find a way to get our students involved. Through involvement in the Florida Public Relations Association. I’ve been able to develop professional relationships for incredible PR professionals all across the state.”
Hudock shared that she connected with an executive at Universal Studios and discussed the possibility of involving Ad/PR students in the process. “She loved the idea and found that it even had some historical backing. The last new park to open in Orlando was also a Universal Park, Islands of Adventure, more than 25 years ago,” said Hudock.
UCF Ad/PR interns played a critical role in the launch of that park. Dr. Bob Davis, the Ad/PR Program Coordinator at the time, worked to secure the opportunity for student interns to be a part of the process and the experience turned into full time job offers for some of those students who were hired on full time at the end of the internship.
Hudock collaborated with Alyson Sologaistoa, Vice President of PR for Universal Studios, to create a unique, paid internship opportunity. The new interns are now working directly with the public relations team at Universal Studios Florida to support the launch of the new Epic Universe park.
According to Hudock, the students are able to see first-hand what a global media launch looks like. “They’ll be onsite for the media days and actively working with the PR team for all of the park opening events and festivities,” said Hudock. “It’s an unparalleled professional development opportunity that I expect will help launch careers for these Ad/PR seniors preparing for graduation and I’m so excited for them.”
The students also highlighted their personal experiences and why they wanted to be involved in the Public Relations Internship for Epic Universe at Universal Orlando Resort.
Please describe your experience interning with Universal Studios.
Arley Scarborough: “The past few weeks with Universal Orlando has served as a crash course in all things PR. The beginner-friendly assignments we have been given have provided opportunities to get comfortable with our team and learn the ropes. Interns are encouraged, if not urged, to ask questions of those around them. Everyone works to cultivate an environment conducive to learning more about Universal Orlando, as well as the industry itself. This healthy, open approach has made me, as well as the other interns, feel comfortable enough to step outside of our comfort zones and seek to play an active role in the team.”
Gypsy Ray: “I’m only a month into my internship but it’s already been quite eventful! My experience has already been so hands-on, which is something I’m happy about because not all internships provide that. My second day, I had the privilege of attending the media tour for Universal’s Stella Nova Resort that opened in January, where I helped out with managing the media and making sure the event went smoothly. I also get to be a part of their weekly PR team meetings, where I learn about the PR tactics utilized and the progress underway as we get closer to Epic’s grand opening. One other thing that has made my experience incredible so far is how comfortable the PR team has made me feel about asking questions and volunteering to help out with any projects. It can be hard to find work environments that are like this so I’m truly appreciative of easy it’s been adapting to working with new people and new projects that I’ve never done before. Universal Studios is incredibly welcoming!”
Nicole Fortoul: “My experience during my time at Universal Studios has been so much fun. Even though these are very hectic times, given the opening of Epic Universe, the other interns and I have been soaking up all the information and experiences we get to attend like sponges. Every day that we get to familiarize ourselves more at the internship excites us with processes and people for what’s to come.”
Kathleen Merkel: “My experience during my time at Universal has been so much fun. Even though these are very hectic times since we are preparing for the opening of Epic, the other interns and I have been soaking up all the information and experiences we get to attend like sponges. Every day that we get to familiarize ourselves more at the internship excites us more for what’s to come.”
Why did you want to be involved in this internship with Universal Studios?
Arley Scarborough: “Universal Studios has played an active role throughout my life. As a child, I found solace in reading and rereading the Harry Potter books, as well as watching the movies. Growing up in the age of How To Train Your Dragon and the Despicable Me universe (I especially love the Minions) cultivated a vested interest in Universal Studios, consciously and subconsciously. As I matured and discovered my love of film, and especially old Hollywood, Universal Studios continued to find its way into my life and passions. As a film minor, the rejuvenation of Universal Studios’ cornerstone, the monsters that established the company and horror genre, has excited me as much as the opening of the new park itself. These past interests, as well as the company culture that precedes any Universal position, is what attracted me to this internship.”
Gypsy Ray: “This was an opportunity to work as a public relations intern specifically for Epic Universe’s launch. A grand opening of a theme park doesn’t happen every day, so I knew this was a very unique project to be part of and that opportunities like this are once in a lifetime. I knew that being part of the PR team that launches the park would provide me with such unique hands-on experience I would probably never come across again, and I would learn so much about the PR industry. I’ve also never had a PR focused internship before, so I was really interested in diving into PR work. Plus, Universal Studios been a huge part of my youth as I’ve always lived right outside Orlando so I wanted nothing more than to help bring Epic Universe to life and help make it a successful launch.”
Nicole Fortoul: “I wanted to be involved in this experience to both graduate and start my professional career off with a bang. I thought the role and company matched very well with my personality, and I was 100 percent certain that by accepting this role I would be learning the fundamentals to help support the rest of my career.”
Kathleen Merkel: “There are a million reasons why I would have jumped head-first at the opportunity to work for such an exciting company like Universal Studios. However, I decided to jump at this opportunity because something like this would never present itself to me again. This once-in-a-lifetime chance to be a part of a team that is working to promote the opening of a new theme park is quite literally the easiest decision I have ever had to make in my life.”
Peyton Carter: “This is truly an opportunity out of my wildest dreams, and a great way for me to be exposed to the world of public relations. It has been surreal to be fully immersed in Epic Universe and to contribute to bringing this park to life. I couldn’t ask for a better way to wrap up my college internship experiences and to learn all things PR.”
Photo courtesy of Nicole Fortoul.
Written by Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on March 10th, 2025.
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