“I gained meaningful insights into the process, which have enriched my understanding of mental health and will definitely complement my studies in school."
What drew you to intern at The Red Pencil (Singapore), and what was your role during your internship?
I was torn between a Psychology or Communications internship, with both as my majors, so I was happy to find out that a Marcomms internship at The Red Pencil (Singapore) brought together both fields! On top of that, The Red Pencil (Singapore)’s work aligned with my passion for the arts and mental health, so interning here felt like a natural choice.
As a Marcomms intern, I created content for social media, designed outreach materials, and supported various marketing and communications tasks along the way.
How did your experience as a Marcomms intern influence your personal or professional development?
My experience at The Red Pencil (Singapore) gave me a deeper understanding of what art therapy entails and how it is thoughtfully planned and delivered. I gained meaningful insights into the process, which have enriched my understanding of mental health and will definitely complement my studies in school. I also learned the importance of handling stories with care and sensitivity as well as how to communicate with empathy and clarity, especially when working with stories about beneficiaries.
Can you share a memorable project or task you worked on during your time at The Red Pencil (Singapore)?
One of the most memorable tasks for me was designing the posters for the various art therapy programmes such as “Back to the Past”, “Glow and Grow”, “Art Therapy for Preventing Dementia” and “Journey On”. I created my first one on my very first day, and I continued to make more throughout the rest of my internship. It is really encouraging to see how much I have improved in terms of design skills and how much faster and more confident I have become in conveying the required information. Through this, I also learned how to tailor the visuals and messaging to different audiences with different needs and motivations while still maintaining the branding of The Red Pencil (Singapore).
Another highlight was working on The Red Pencil (Singapore)’s recent 14th Anniversary Event, which happened just this past Saturday. Leading up to it, I got to design social media content and even the stamp card for the event. On the day itself, I had the chance to interact with the public and take part in the activities, which made the whole experience even more rewarding and meaningful.
What skills or knowledge did you gain or improve upon during your internship, and how did you see them benefiting your future career?
During my internship, I had the chance to explore and work with programmes I do not often use, such as WordPress, Adobe InDesign, Mailchimp, Hoo.be, and more. Getting hands-on experience with these tools helped reinforce my skills and I see myself being more confident using them in my future career. Another skill I learned was how to use a camera beyond just my phone, which gave me a better understanding of photography and framing. This practical experience was really valuable and is something I can carry forward in any creative or content-related work.
What did you learn about art therapy and its impact on people in need?
I think art therapy is such a misunderstood approach to mental health. It is not just an “art class”! Art therapists are highly trained professionals and art therapy offers a powerful outlet for expression, especially when words fall short. One area that stood out to me was its role in supporting grief, particularly among caregivers. I had the opportunity to sit in on a workshop led by an art therapist, and hearing stories on how the process can be both emotional and empowering for grieving caregivers was incredibly moving.
How has your experience as an intern shaped your future career goals or aspirations?
This internship has shown me that I do not have to choose between my interests and I can build a career that combines both creativity and care! Whether through social impact communications, arts-based initiatives or mental health advocacy, I am excited to contribute to work that uplifts and supports communities in meaningful ways.
