Last summer, I put my foot down and insisted that I could not and would not spend another three months working in food service. Sure, I’d learned a lot from that experience: how to reason with unreasonable people, how to coexist with clueless coworkers, and most of all, how to be respectful to waitstaff. (Truly the unsung heroes of society.) However, after three years of spending my summer days dealing with Karens and screaming cathartically in the walk-in freezer, I was more than ready to move on. Particularly, after spending my school year in foundational design courses, I was ready to apply the skills I’d learned on a practical level. So at the ripe age of nineteen, I decided it was time to apply for a summer internship.
I did some research on advertising agencies in my hometown, and Eleanor Creative immediately stood out as the place where I wanted to spend my summer. Eleanor’s people-first design philosophy spoke to my childhood love of expression and storytelling through design. The small, close-knit agency was the perfect place to explore the industry’s many career paths. As an added bonus, I knew Eleanor’s community ties would teach me to love and serve my hometown in an entirely new way.
On my second day at Eleanor, we spent the day at the Lincoln Landfill, filming content about recycling, and in that moment I knew I was in the right place (Eleanor, that is, not the landfill). The experience confirmed that I wouldn’t be spending my days in tiresome monotony like I had in my past jobs. I also wouldn’t just be entertaining theoreticals like I had in my classes thus far. I was thrilled at the chance to gain insight into what the industry was actually like.
And insight did I gain! I got to sit in on so many meetings and presentations with real clients, and even contribute my ideas to marketing plans, social media strategies, and campaign slogans. My fellow interns and I were primarily in charge of social media for clients like Lincoln Kids Magazine and Ivanna Cone. We planned content, wrote copy, and designed graphics, and then saw them come to life! We worked on content for TikTok for other clients, too, bringing our Gen Z insight to the table. My favorite days were when the team presented mood boards and logos for rebrand clients. Seeing the process and the results truly solidified that graphic design was the career for me. Ultimately though, every day at Eleanor brought something new to inspire me, challenge me, and fulfill me as I networked with and served my fellow local businesses and community members.
So what were my main takeaways from this experience?
First, what a joy to spend my summer doing something I’m passionate about to gain invaluable experience in the field. If you have the opportunity to devote your summer to an internship, I highly recommend it. These days, experience is EVERYTHING, especially for creatives.
My second takeaway was the kind of environment I want to work in. A constantly evolving, interpersonal, and team-oriented workplace was absolutely perfect to avoid any feelings of burnout (at least within the span of a few months). Another takeaway I noticed was I really enjoyed working closely with the community. It made the work feel important, genuine, and impactful, which was incredibly fulfilling.
Overall, my summer internship didn’t just kill time. It gave me true direction for my career that had always felt out of reach before. The tangible application of the skills I’ve learned in school combined with guidance from experts in the field really allowed me to hone my strengths and goals. I’m so grateful to the Eleanor team for their support, guidance, and generosity. It was a truly one-of-a-kind experience. Having an internship under my belt has truly bolstered my confidence, and it’s such a relief to know that I’m on the right path.
Maybe you’re someone who is already sure of themselves and where they’re headed. That wasn’t me, and if it’s not you either, it may be time to start seeking new experiences and opportunities. At best, it will teach you so much about yourself and your future career…and at worst, at least it beats waitressing.