It has long been understood that a blind date lends itself to awkward moments. However, Moosylvania’s blind date-style interview ended with a great opportunity for our personalities to shine through. Our second date, the first day on the job, started with a bang. Now that the nerves had settled, we sat down with an outdoor picnic of KFC and Ted Drewes Frozen custard! We knew it was a match made in heaven – we were then ready to take the next step.
Meeting the Family
During the first week, Sarah Shockley (Senior Copywriter and Moose Mentor) had been talking with her intern Randy Lutz when he asked, “who this ‘Sarah girl’ was anyway?” Moosylvania in many ways operates like a family in that we all come together and put our all into every project. With loving and sometimes tough-loving support, we find a way to challenge ourselves and grow each day.
Getting Comfortable
Sure, our mentors had to hold our hands during some early stages. But, once we started to work on communication, we connected in a way that neither of us saw coming. Overall our mentors see this year’s batch of interns as “eager and full of initiative” (Rachel Hamblin: Copywriter), “humble and truly happy to be here” (Ryan Doggendorf: Art Director), and “excited to be here and have a passion to learn” (Erica Thurston: Account Services).
We have been settling into our offices and personal desks quite well. Maybe a little too well at times as Marc Goone (Account Services Intern) said he has been tempted to hang-glide from the interns’ workspace in the loft to a hanging light on the ceiling of the agency. Some of us interns have taken quickly to our new responsibilities. Laura Hoeman (Art Director Intern) is located by the only phone available to the interns, and the power seems to have gone to her head a bit. Our choir loft location might be a bit of a climb for mentor Ryan Doggendorf (Art Director), as he admits to getting out a breath after climbing the stairs a few times.
Becoming Equal Partners
As Moosylvania interns, we don’t just sit here and look pretty. Our input is taken seriously, and we are allowed to take the reign on tons of projects. We also get to see what our roles will be in this crazy fast-paced agency world.
“I was very much surprised that we were allowed to sit in on client presentations…I’m (also) allowed to answer questions and speak with the clients themselves.” (Kayleigh Kozemczak: Account Services Intern)
“I appreciate all the hard work that goes into working as a team, and I now understand just how gratifying it is to write something that may actually be out there on the shelves or in the magazines one day.” (Jill Towerman: Writer Intern)
“I’ve learned not to throw away an idea. I show people everything I have been working on because someone may have an angle on it that I did not think of.” (Daniel Shinn: Art Director Intern)
Building Memories
Our first day on the job, we set out on a scavenger hunt to scope out the latest point of sale promotions in grocery and liquor stores around St. Louis. Next, our mentors told us that we must learn the Moosylvania Anthem in order to gain entrance to an important meeting. “That was one hot track we dropped,” said Laura Hoeman. Another favorite memory is getting to know more about client Dean’s Milk by making mouth-watering smoothies and shakes for all employees.
What’s Next?
With summer almost over, we are looking forward to participating in the annual fun-filled Intern Olympics and seeing the projects we have worked on come out in the real world. Just like most summer romances, time flies when you’re having fun, we’re just here to enjoy the ride.
