In this Fortinet Intern Spotlight Series, we highlight our Summer Communication Assistants (CAs) for 2025. Communication Assistants travel around the country each week to showcase various tournaments, providing on-site support to execute and organize activations for sponsors, enhance content week-to-week and assist intern teams with their content creation. They are responsible for coordinating with Tournament Directors, Tournament Committees and sponsors to develop tournament-specific activation plans, then reviewing and approving content before it’s published to help ensure everything meets the organization’s standards. Our CAs this year are Alicia Barron and Emily Anne Beiers.
Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and your background?
Barron: I’m originally from El Paso, Texas, where I was born and raised and I graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. I’ve always had a love for storytelling, whether that’s through writing, video, or photography, and my background in journalism has really fueled that passion.
Beiers: I am from Lexington, South Carolina, where I have lived most of my life. I have three siblings, and I am really close to my family. I graduated from Lander University with a degree in Marketing and Management in the spring of 2025. I was a Communications Intern at the AJGA during the summer of 2024 and I returned as a Communications Assistant for the summer of 2025.
Did you have an interest or experience in golf before the AJGA Internship?
Barron: I’ve always had a personal connection to golf. I started playing at a young age, then stepped away for a bit before picking it up again and competing at the junior college level. Being around the sport competitively taught me about discipline and focus and sparked my curiosity about what it takes to organize a tournament behind the scenes.
Beiers: Yes, I grew up in a golfing family and have always loved playing golf with my brothers and dad. My sister, who does not play golf, would even caddie for us from time to time. It’s a lifelong sport I get to play with my friends and family, which is why I love it so much. Additionally, I had the opportunity to play college golf at Lander University. I love working for the AJGA because I get to combine a sport that I am passionate about with my work, which makes it enjoyable to wake up for work every day.
What led you to decide to return and do the CA position?
Barron: My spring internship with the AJGA was such a positive experience that I knew I wanted to come back in a larger role. I saw the CA position as a great opportunity to challenge myself, step into a leadership role, and continue growing the skills I’d already started building. I also knew the experience would be incredibly valuable for my career, especially since it focuses so much on leadership, project management, and content strategy.
Beiers: I had such a positive internship experience the first time that I knew I wanted to come back and work for the AJGA again. I had another year of school left, so I wasn’t sure how it would work out. Thankfully, the timeline of becoming a CA worked well with my schedule. I wanted the opportunity to take on a more leadership role in the internship, and now I have the chance to serve as a mentor for the Communications Interns I work with onsite each week. I love being part of the Communications team because I have built relationships and gained skills that I will be able to carry with me as I move forward in my career.
What are some of the most significant skills you have learned from being a CA?
Barron: One of the biggest things I’ve gained is leadership experience through guiding interns day-to-day and supporting others in a fast-paced setting. Time management has been another critical skill. Traveling to a new tournament every week means you must quickly adjust to new environments, juggle multiple deadlines, and keep projects moving forward without missing a beat.
Beiers: I have learned a lot of time management and organizational skills. Each sponsor or tournament committee has different content requests each week, so it is important to be organized and prepared to create the content they are looking for from the activation plan before the tournament begins. I have also learned a great deal about interpersonal skills – a combination of being personal and professional. Through my time at the AJGA so far, I have developed the ability to connect with and build relationships with various players, sponsors, committees, and families.
What is your favorite memory from being a CA so far?
Barron: My favorite memory is from my very first week at the Team TaylorMade Invitational . It was an exciting atmosphere – I was able to follow some of the top juniors during the final nine holes, capture live updates and create video content in real-time. The next day, seeing my photos and videos appear on ESPN and knowing I played a part in telling that story was an amazing feeling.
Beiers: My favorite memory of the summer as a CA so far is spending a few weeks in the Southeast and getting to see some of the same juniors and their families week after week. It’s fun to build those relationships and then get to say, “See you next week” and cheer them on again. During my last week in the Southeast, I got to see one of them play in their final AJGA event before heading to college. It’s special because I've been through that process too, so it’s fun to see them eager for what's in store for this next chapter. A specific memory I have as a CA is interviewing one of our tournament hosts and PGA Tour pro, Matthew NeSmith. He is a fellow South Carolinian, and it was enjoyable to discuss his junior and amateur career that led him to play professionally.
Where do you see yourself in the next five to ten years?
Barron: I see myself working with a college football program, managing their social media and digital storytelling to help connect fans to the team. Over time, I’d love to transition into a more administrative or operational role within athletics, focusing on areas such as recruiting or team communications.
Beiers: Over the next 5-10 years, I see a lot of change and variety of work because I love trying new things. This fall, I plan to pursue an MBA with a focus on digital marketing and organizational leadership. I enjoy working in the golf industry and would love to continue my career at the AJGA before exploring other opportunities. I love to travel and would be willing to explore parts of the country I haven’t been to before ending up back in South Carolina. I love the state and think it’s a great place to live; additionally, I want to be close to my family in the long term.
What would you tell someone looking to apply to the AJGA Communications Internship?
Barron: I would tell them it’s an incredible opportunity to grow both professionally and personally. You’ll develop valuable skills, from photography and writing to time management and leadership, while traveling across the country and covering high-level junior golf events. Beyond that, it’s a chance to make lifelong friends and build connections that can open doors for your career.
Beiers: My first piece of advice to someone looking to apply to the AJGA Communications Internship would be “Do it!” You will learn more about yourself through this internship than anything else you have ever done. You will make memories that will last a lifetime and build relationships that can take you far in your personal and professional life. I know it could be scary to be on the road for a few months, but you grow the most outside your comfort zone.
If you're driven to be part of this dynamic community, applications for the 2026 Traveling Internship open in August. For more insights into the #AJGAInternship, explore the AJGA Careers webpage and Instagram channel .
