Writing Her Next Chapter: How Kendall Ekern is Turning a Passion for Writing into a Profession
At the Wisconsin Union, communications coordinator Kendall Ekern is not just completing assignments as part of her internship. She is building a toolkit for a career rooted in communication, strategy and human connection, along with a portfolio that proves so-called “soft skills” deliver real results.
As she helps tell the Union’s story, Kendall is also finishing her own chapter as a student at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and preparing to write the next one: life after college.
A creative path
Kendall always knew she loved writing. What she did not know, at least at first, was how that passion could translate into a profession.
“I have always been drawn to writing and storytelling as forms of expression,” Kendall said. “In high school, I began to more seriously consider how these interests could be part of my future.”
For Kendall, that path became clearer in a journalism class during her first year at UW–Madison.
Communications offered structure and measurable results to her creativity, a way to not only tell stories, but to help shape outcomes and share ideas with purpose and intention.
She is now a strategic communication student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.
Learning by doing
Here at the Wisconsin Union, she gained hands-on experience that brought classroom concepts and skills she learns as strategic communication student in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication into real-world application.
“My coursework has helped me develop a strong foundation in writing, which has been especially impactful in preparing me for professional communications work,” Kendall said.
Her projects at the Union span platforms and audiences. One day, she is writing a feature story for the blog, “Terrace Views,” crafting vivid, engaging narratives that resonate with readers. The next, she is developing a press release that follows a specific formula and writing style standards. She has interviewed staff across departments, turning their experiences into widely read stories, and conducts in-depth research to produce informative releases and media advisories.
In interviews, she looks for the human angle, the detail or perspective that makes a story feel real. That skill, the ability to listen, interpret and translate someone else’s experience, is one she will carry into future roles in addition to her ability to adapt to different writing formats.
“When I had the chance to work for an organization that has been so meaningful to my time at UW-Madison, I jumped at the opportunity,” Kendall said. “Wisconsin Union student intern roles also offer not only valuable career experience, but the opportunity to grow within a professional and supportive environment.”
Collaboration that mirrors the real world
Another key piece of her growth has come from collaboration.
At the Wisconsin Union, student employees do not work in isolation. They work alongside full-time professionals, contribute to team projects and navigate feedback in real time. It is a professional environment, but one that still allows room to learn.
Through this, she has developed the ability to balance independence with teamwork. She takes ownership of her projects, but also knows when to ask questions, seek input or adjust direction.
“The guidance I have received while working here has been both supportive and actionable,” Kendall said. “I have been given the freedom to grow as a communicator and develop my own voice within the Wisconsin Union, while also knowing that my supervisor is willing to answer questions and provide help when needed.”
Looking ahead
After graduation, she sees herself in roles that blend writing and strategy, and she is seeking positions that support an organization’s goals through copywriting, public relations or corporate communications.
From adapting messages across platforms to collaborating with across a complex organization, from finding the human angle in a story to building authentic audience connections, the skills she has developed are not tied to one job or one organization. She is taking them with her into her next professional chapter.
And like any good story, this one is just getting started.
To Kendall: Thank you for your dedication to telling the Wisconsin Union story, for the seemingly bottomless well of creativity you bring to every project, and for the energy you bring to everything you do.
