Has It Really Only Been...

Has it really only been 4 months since I graduated? How is that possible? I feel as though I have lived a lifetime with all that I have learned.

Well, I finished my official "O-ternship" on the October 30th. It was the following Monday that I began my position as a freelance contractor helping with Brand Management and the Effies...aka...internal public relations and a huge award show.

It has been such a great experience so far. First things first, I get to work with people that are a lot of fun and have as much energy as me. I did not think that was possible! Well, it is.

I get to hang out with some of the VP's, too. They are good people.

All in all, OLSON is still proving to be the company that I would love to be at long-term.

OLSON--Week 12

Once upon a time, I stumbled on a story of an agency whose founder slid down a royal staircase onto a sheet of cardboard. In this story, there were many Minute To Win It games played, an epic talent show that resulted in said O-tern revising The Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song to match OLSON’s style of glory and a hearty dose of laughter.

I do not mean to brag, but OLSON’s retreat was great! From noon to 10 p.m., we spent time with one another, playing volleyball, taking out the canoes, dancing until we could dance no more, eating great food and winning prizes for our incredible tribes. Did I mention that my tribe won a dinner to Buca di Beppo for having the best tribe BBQ? Yay for “Dog Days of Summer”!

I can honestly say that there is something unique about this company, and it is something that I am ecstatic to have had the privilege to be a part of the past three months. I have never been in a place that both works and plays harder than most people would find possible.

I should also let you know that it’s not only the people who make OLSON what it is, but the desk spaces as well. With an OLSON Brickman bobble head, O-tern dodgeball and a great origami swan atop my desk space, mine is certainly not the most unique. One of my favorites is the taxidermy/stuffed rooster wearing gold bling atop a senior account executive’s space.

I am not quite sure how to put into words everything that I have learned while here at OLSON. The work has kept me challenged, the people have kept me energized and the overall tone has kept me going.

One of my favorite aspects of this internship was the chance all of us O-terns had to prove ourselves in a real client experience. If you recall, I hinted at this in a few of the previous blogs. I wrote of a company that honestly cares about its employees, its past and its future.

In taking valuable insights we learned along the way from individuals in our areas of expertise, we worked together to create a campaign for this long-standing client of OLSON. There were many late nights, many comical email threads, as I wrote about in last week’s blog, and one pleased CEO in the end. Incredible. Invaluable. I made nine new friends in this process and learned more than I had ever thought possible.

TIP OF THE WEEK: When an opportunity comes your way to be a part of something greater—especially when it involves good people, like the ones here—do everything you can to make the most of it. You will not be disappointed. I certainly wasn’t!

Cheers to you, OLSON! Thanks for the privilege.

OLSON--Week 11

Can I just say that I work with the most uniquely entertaining individuals known to man? Every OLSONite could be described this way, but I am specifically referring to my fellow O-terns.

Part of the O-tern program involves working together, as a group of 10 individuals from varying fields of expertise (note: yes, we are all still in training), to create a campaign that will be presented to a client and an audience of key OLSONites.

When 10 unique personalities gather for hours on a daily basis to rally around a project, one would expect things to get heated at times. Fortunately, in order to cope with any potential stress, we utilize humor.

Let me share with you an email thread that went around:

Kelli (Account Services): Please place any presentation materials in folder X on the server. If possible, create your slides in Keynote. Thanks!

Ben (Public Relations): I made mine with crayons and construction paper. Should I just bring them up to you?

Kelli: Yes, please. That’s actually the way I hoped everyone would make them. Since you’re coming up anyway, can you bring a Naked Juice out of that PR fridge you have down there, too?

Ellie (Creative): Question; does that mean I have to redo the ones I already did with finger paint?

Kelli: All I’m saying is either bring them to me in Keynote, or in whatever form you’d like, accompanied by a bottle of Naked Juice—take your pick.

Brittany (Account Services): Noodle art?

Kelli: 3-D forms require Naked Juice and chocolate.

Ellie: Well, let me know what your favorite chocolate brand is because I’m planning on building all the creative with Playdoh.

It is mini-conversations such as this one that enable work to be as fun as it is here at OLSON. Don’t worry, these are not a daily occurrence. In fact, we intertwine these conversations with work sessions that run until midnight—that and fun Friday BBQs. :)

Tip of the week: When things need to get done, and you seemingly have no time or energy to do them, go for it anyway. You’ll be surprised at how much you are capable of when you find yourself needing to be. Don’t give up—keep on going. You can do it.