Read our Q&A with Hirons’ latest round of interns to hear about their previous experiences, and why they chose Hirons.
KENNEDI ULMAN, COMMUNICATIONS INTERN
“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Hirons so far! Even as a local, I’ve been able to learn a lot about Indianapolis, but also get comfortable with the flow of agency life.”
Outside of the office, what are some of your hobbies or passions?
Right now, I’m really into thrifting and flipping furniture. I recently moved and love being able to find unique pieces, or making them unique, to add to my new space!
When and where do you have your best ideas?
In the last few years, some of my best ideas have come to me during early mornings at Butler University’s Starbucks study lounge. It has floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded by a bunch of trees that let in little patches of sunlight. It’s a relaxing and pretty place to study year-round, and as long as I have a cold brew, I can get anything done.
What has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on at Hirons?
Unexpectedly, I feel like the multiple media lists I’ve worked on have helped me become a lot more familiar with local journalists and their beats. When you’re in school, you don’t have a lot of time to get to know who’s covering the news in your community, so having projects like this helps a lot.
What’s your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of day is late morning, about 10 a.m.-12 p.m., because that’s when I’m most awake and productive. I like to get a lot of work done in the morning so I can have free time for the rest of the day.
What is the most meaningful part of your job?
I love being able to work on projects that bring light to certain issues or help convey important information to people. Communication can be a very powerful tool and I always try to use it for good.
What was your first job?
My first paying job was writing for The Butler Collegian. I’ve been an opinion reporter since the beginning of my freshman year at Butler and I love the flexibility of the opinion section. I still love it and I’m dreading the day I have to say goodbye since I graduate in May.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town?
My favorite restaurant is Good Morning Mama’s in Broad Ripple. It’s a great brunch place and they have the best french toast around!
What’s your most memorable vacation?
My most memorable vacation was my first trip to Charleston, South Carolina! I’ve been there more than a few times, but it’s an unbelievably gorgeous city with so much to do. Everyone needs to visit at some point in their life!
What’s one thing you can’t live without?
I cannot start my morning without cold brew! I’m always on the hunt for the best cold brew in town.
Do you have a favorite movie or book?
One of my favorite books is My Time Will Come by Ian Manuel. It’s a memoir about Manuel, a Black 14-year-old child, being sentenced to life in prison, his struggles with the justice system and being exonerated almost two decades later. It’s a heartbreaking book, but one that I will always recommend to people.
ELISSA MURPHY, DIGITAL INTERN
How did you become interested in the industry?
I became interested in the tech industry after taking an Informatics 101 class at IU Bloomington. For one of our assignments, we learned how to code a simple website and I’ve been intrigued ever since! The assignment influenced my decision when choosing my specialization, Multi-Device Development. My time as a social media coordinator also sparked interest in advertising and public relations.
Outside of the office, what are some of your hobbies or passions?
Outside of the office, I love spending time supporting small businesses. I often do this by attending local handmade and secondhand thrift events. I also love to attend farmers’ markets in my local area. Downtown Indy always has an event of these natures going on!
What has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on at Hirons?
My favorite type of project to work on at Hirons is web development and web maintenance. It’s very satisfying to see the finished product and receive positive client feedback.
What’s one important tip you would share with anyone looking to go into the agency world?
For web development specifically, a tip I’d share is to prepare to constantly learn. The tech world is constantly changing and advancing, therefore it’s important to stay up to date by prioritizing professional development and personal learning.
What’s your favorite time of day?
My favorite time of day is easily mornings. During this time of day, I feel my most productive and energized!
What is the most meaningful part of your job?
The most meaningful part of my job is seeing the final product after putting in a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s very intriguing to see how long of a process it can be to develop a website.
What was your first job?
My first job was at Plato’s Closet as a cashier and social media coordinator. I really enjoyed being a social media coordinator and continued with the position at my next job.
What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of, personally or professionally?
A personal accomplishment I’m extremely proud of is my academic success. During my time at IU and IUPUI, I’ve received dean’s list recognition 4 separate times and have maintained As and Bs.
What’s your most memorable vacation?
One of my most memorable vacations was a trip to Gatlinburg, Tennessee a few years ago with friends. My favorite experience from the trip was ziplining through the mountains. The scenery was breathtaking and unforgettable.
What’s your favorite part of working at Hirons?
My favorite part about working at Hirons is the people! It’s clear that everyone enjoys their jobs and have a passion for it. When everyone on my team has such a positive attitude, it’s easy to do my best.
CARLEE MCKENZIE, CREATIVE INTERN
How did you become interested in the industry?
My high school digital design teacher opened my eyes to the world of design. I was always really bad and slow with computers, and I was dreading having to take his class. However, I ended up loving graphic design so much that I applied to design schools instead of going the route of traditional illustration! After that, landing the job at the Ball State Digital Corps as a designer lead to my want to intern and eventually work at a full-service agency!
How did you break into the industry and land your first job?
My first job in the industry was a designer at an on-campus agency at Ball State University. I had a pretty solid portfolio but was super nervous for my interview. One of the first questions asked was ‘If you could have any superpower what would you choose?” I asked if they had ever heard of Avatar the Last Airbender and we basically spent the next 30 minutes geeking out about the tv show and comics and by the end of the interview we hadn’t spoken about anything that had to do with the position. I was convinced I hadn’t gotten the job because I wouldn’t stop talking about a cartoon, but I was hired as they said I was a very passionate person (with good taste).
What would you consider the most important tools of the trade?
Be open to critique! A lot of people are going to have their opinions, so being open to learning and trying out new things is the best way to grow. Take critiques as a way to better yourself and your work and don’t take it too personally! You are more than your work.
Outside of the office, what are some of your hobbies or passions?
I love drawing, painting and baking. My lazier hobbies include watching reality dating shows, baking competitions and sci-fi/fantasy movies and shows.
When and where do you have your best ideas?
Almost always as I am falling asleep. I either try and commit it to memory or I will wake myself up to write it down. I also find myself having really good ideas when I am zoning out during a class, but don’t tell my professors.
What’s your favorite time of day?
I love mid-morning, usually around 10-11 a.m. when the coffee has kicked in and I feel fully awake and energized. It still feels like morning and the whole day is ahead of you! However, with classes and work, I usually am forced to get most of my projects done late into the night, which isn’t ideal.
Did you have any unusual jobs before working at Hirons?
In high school, I worked in a warehouse filling and shipping online orders. It was a summer job and I worked from 4pm-1am. Sometimes it would reach over 100 degrees inside, and we would be forced to close and go home. I also worked at a factory another summer soldering motherboards for elevators, and it was so cold inside I had to bring a blanket.
What was your first job?
I got my first job when I was 15 at a brand-new Moe’s Southwest Grill. I actually really enjoyed it and worked there for three years! We went through a lot of kids that I went to high school with, and I was the last of the very first workers when I left.
What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of, personally or professionally?
I am very proud of myself for applying to (and receiving) a promotion at the Ball State Digital Corps! There are so many talented people that work at the Corps and they only promote two or three people a semester. You also have to give a 10-minute presentation to the entire staff to be considered. I’m terrible at public speaking but I made a presentation of my work and practiced in the mirror a hundred times—I totally blacked out during the actual presentation but I guess I did well!
Do you have a favorite movie or book?
I have a long list of favorite books and movies, but I’ve always been a huge Harry Potter fan. My mom read me the books every night until I was old enough to read them myself! Harry Potter World at Universal is the number one spot on my bucket list at the moment!
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