Thinking about an internship at a branding agency? Read this.
Our lovely writing intern, Delila, shared the highs and lows of her internship with Proverb’s copy team (enter: Shoki and Lauren). We asked her the big questions—so you can set your expectations for what to learn and love about your own agency experience.
Shoki + Lauren: Has working at Proverb changed your perspective on place branding?
Delila: Working here gave me a perspective. I didn’t fully understand the concept of place branding until I started studying our projects and getting involved in our process. Now that place branding is a part of my vocabulary, I notice it everywhere. My younger sister has been touring colleges this summer, and I find myself thinking about the branding in each city she visits. I feel like every emerging city is trying to market itself as up-and-coming, and it’s fascinating to see the activated spaces they create to support that narrative.
S + L: Totally. What else have you learned from this experience?
D: I’m a creative person, but I wouldn’t exactly call myself an artist. It was cool to be exposed to a team where everyone is creative, across disciplines. I learned that imagination has a place in every role, and it’s inspiring to know that I don’t have to decide between the right-brain and left-brain sides of me.
S + L: What was your favorite part about interning here?
D: I loved seeing how comprehensive the strategy behind each brand really is. When the average person looks at a building, they probably aren’t thinking about the pages of strategy behind it, and how that all factors in to what it looks like or how it’s named. Colors, doorknobs, even the style of chairs in a restaurant — it’s all based on strategic thinking. That’s something I never really thought about before Proverb. It reminds me of sociology, because it’s this tangible, real-life application of human behavior. I’m definitely considering studying sociology now that I’ve seen how it can live out in the built environment.
I also loved working on the One Broadway sizzle video — I was so excited the first time I saw it live. Working as writer on something so visual was a totally new experience, and figuring out how the two work together was interesting. I’m starting to realize how much you have to read before you can write anything with real impact. I wrote some blog posts I’m really proud of. And I named the color swatches for a brand identity! That was fun too.
S + L: If you could change anything about your experience, what would you change?
D: My desk is kind of far away from the rest of the team. I would have liked to be more in the thick of things.
S + L: We’re working on it! How would you describe the company culture at Proverb?
D: Offices can be hierarchical, and people don’t always have a say if they aren’t in charge. At Proverb, everyone has a say. This team is creative and opinionated, and you can tell that everyone cares about doing things right. And when it comes time to make decisions, the mentality is the-more-ideas-the-better. Interdisciplinary decision making makes this place special, and the work stronger.
S + L: What’s next for you? Did this experience help you choose your next step?
D: I’m thinking about studying marketing! I find business to be a bit dry and mathy, and branding is something I used to put in that same bucket. But this experience has showed me that branding is people-focused, interdisciplinary, and creative. It’s not a mechanical, step-by-step process — it’s a fluid way of putting something into the world that you can look back on, talk about, and innovate again.
Delila, we wish you the best in your next adventure! And to all the other fabulous interns out there: share your experiences in the comments below.
