Inside the ENV internship program
Every summer, Envisionit welcomes a new wave of talent into the agency through our internship program. We find young creatives with bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and a curiosity about how modern marketing works… and we do our best to break them.
This year, we had the pleasure of working with two incredible interns: Alyssa Vena, a senior at Ball State University majoring in graphic design and Sports Studies, and Madeline Kruse, a recent graduate from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a degree in advertising and a minor in sociology.
Alyssa and Madeline became embedded members of our integrated teams. You could say they learned the ropes. But we would say they learned the ropes, how to braid the ropes, hang the ropes, maintain the ropes, and use the ropes to gracefully swing from project to project.
They crushed it.
Their reflections on agency life and how it connects to the broader shifts in marketing speak to what’s next for our industry and the kind of partnerships we want to create with our clients.
Internships that do more than check the box
The ENV internship program is a real-world immersion into agency life. Alyssa jumped in as a design intern and found herself quickly contributing to live client work, which included submitting a winning concept for a client campaign.
“It was a rewarding moment,” she says, “to see my design selected for a real client project.”
Madeline, our copywriting intern, echoes the value of hands-on work:
“I got to pitch ideas for the Navy Pier campaign and work on the Choose Chicago DCASE campaign. That’s a huge win for someone just starting out.”
Both interns were surprised by the structure and rhythm of agency life. “I expected chaos,” Alyssa laughs. “Instead, brainstorming sessions are scheduled and organized. It’s structured, consistent, and inclusive.”
Integrated teams for better ideas and bigger results
One of the most eye-opening experiences for both interns was seeing how different disciplines (i.e., strategy, media, design, copy, analytics, etc.) come together to produce work that delivers.
“Working with Lisa Marie in strategy helped me understand how critical positioning is to great creative,” says Madeline. “It’s about finding the angle that makes people pay attention.”
For Alyssa, the experience of working with a dedicated copywriter was brand new.
“I’ve always written my own copy,” she explains. “But having someone to collaborate with elevated my work and let me focus more deeply on design.”
Younger creatives bring the energy and awareness
Alyssa and Madeline represent a new generation of creatives who approach marketing with a deep sense of authenticity, ethics, and cultural awareness.
“If clients want to resonate with younger audiences,” Alyssa says, “they need to stay honest. Younger generations can spot insincerity a mile away.”
Madeline agrees, adding, “Gen Z is over the buzzwords and corporate tone. If you take creative risks and speak like a real human, we’ll notice—and respect it.”
This mindset is something agencies and clients alike need to embrace. Being trendy is not the same as being real. The new creatives are fluent in social media, as well as nuance and inclusivity. And they have a deep understanding that brands need to show up with purpose.
AI as a creative tool, not a creative replacement
“What excites me about AI,” says Madeline, “is its accessibility. As a copywriter, I think visually. AI image generation helps me bring my ideas to life during concepting.”
But she is quick to point out that AI alone doesn’t cut it: “Without strategic thinking and human cleverness, AI-generated work blends into the noise.”
Alyssa adds another angle, suggesting, “One silver lining of the AI surge is that people are starting to value traditional art again. There’s renewed appreciation for original work that only a human can create.”
The Envisionit team insists on a human-first approach to creative. But we’re also fully embracing AI to make our work smarter. AI helps us uncover deeper audience insights, analyze performance faster, and create iterative content strategies that adapt in real time.
That’s good for our clients, and it’s energizing for our teams.
From execution partner to strategic advisor
Envisionit is always adapting. We’re here to build assets and launch campaigns. But we’re also here to guide. To advise. To be strategic partners helping clients navigate complex channels, changing consumer behaviors, and new capabilities like GenAI.
“We saw firsthand that campaigns don’t end when they launch,” Alyssa notes. “They keep evolving—and agencies need to stay tuned in to what’s happening in the world.”
That’s why we remain nimble, data-driven, and deeply collaborative. It’s why we build cross-functional teams. It’s why we prioritize strategy. And it’s why we invest in mentoring the next generation.
So, what’s the big takeaway?
So what did Alyssa and Madeline learn during their time at Envisionit?
“The lesson I’ll carry forward,” says Alyssa, “is that people of all ages and backgrounds can find common ground when working toward a shared goal.”
“The thing I’m taking with me,” says Madeline, “is to be curious and connect with people across teams. That’s where the best ideas happen.”
We concur. Now go forth and be amazing, but never forget where you came from.
Interested in working with Envisionit or joining our internship program? Keep an eye on our LinkedIn page, or reach out and contact us.
