Read our Q&A with Hirons’ latest round of interns to hear about their previous experiences, and why they chose Hirons.
ANNIKA SCHALLER, CREATIVE INTERN
How did you become interested in the industry?
I’ve always been interested in art and problem solving – design brings those two things together in a really fun way.
What personal characteristics do you need to be successful in the industry?
I think being able to work well with other people is a really important skill to have in the industry. Collaborating with my co-workers has been so valuable and helpful to me while working on projects!
What has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on at Hirons?
I really enjoyed making a logo for a disability networking event. Creating a logo for a new event definitely got me out of my comfort zone and pushed me to work on things I hadn’t been able to before.
What are some of your hobbies or passions?
I like to cook, bake, and hunt for records at local stores!
What’s your favorite time of day?
Midwest sunsets are one of my favorite things. I love to sit on the porch and watch them in the summer.
What is the most meaningful part of your job?
Knowing that the designs I make will benefit people in real life is a really meaningful part of the work I’ve done at Hirons.
What was your first job?
I was a lifeguard and swim instructor at my hometown pool.
What’s one quote that defines you?
“It is good to love many things, for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is well done.” – Vincent van Gogh
What’s your most memorable vacation?
In middle school I went to a Shakespeare and theater festival in Canada with one of my friends. I liked it so much that I’ve been going back since each year to see what performances they’re showing!
Do you have a favorite movie or book?
My favorite movie is Parasite.
BLAKE HALL, AMOS BROWN INTERN
How did you become interested in the industry?
I became interested in the industry when I was younger and watched The Devil Wears Prada. That’s when I first knew I was interested in journalism. Then, in college, I switched my major to multimedia journalism from philosophy, added entrepreneurship as a minor, and learned about the world of corporate communications.
Outside of the office, what are some of your hobbies or passions?
Outside of work, I enjoy photography and videography. I also enjoy trying new restaurants, spending time with family, hosting parties, and *most* outdoor activities.
When and where do you have your best ideas?
I have my best ideas in the car. It’s my favorite place to brainstorm and think!
What has been your favorite project that you’ve worked on at Hirons?
Though I haven’t necessarily worked on a specific project for the Madam Walker Legacy Center’s Legacy Fest, I’ve been in a lot of strategic planning meetings for it and have been able to help the internal team. I’ve really enjoyed seeing the process of what it takes on the business development side of things.
What was your first job?
I worked at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis as a junior camp counselor through the MAP Program.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town?
I can’t choose one, so it’s between Livery or Mimi Blue Meatballs. I could eat at either one every day if it was up to me!
Describe yourself in three words.
Ambitious, determined, dependable.
What’s your most memorable vacation?
My most memorable vacation was my trip to Ecuador, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands. I went with all my favorite teachers from high school and one of my best friends.
Do you have a favorite movie or book?
My favorite movie is The Devil Wears Prada.
What’s your favorite part of working at Hirons?
My favorite part of working at Hirons is the teamwork aspect of it all. Though it may be cliché, I really enjoy how each of the different departments work together. I also enjoy how everyone gets to work with different team members on each project, which makes the office feel more like a family.
NICK BOZZELLI-LEVINE, TOM HIRONS INTERN
How did you become interested in the industry?
I never was a huge football fan, but as a kid, I sure loved those Super Bowl commercials. I enjoyed trying to figure out who these companies were trying to attract, through the words, the art direction, and the surrounding campaigns. It was sort of a game I played with my family. Eventually, I grew a real appreciation for advertising and the strategic, creative, and people-facing side of the business world that it has always represented. I’m fascinated by the idea of taking a single business goal and accomplishing it with a campaign that takes tons of research and discussion, and then turning into videos, signs, websites, packaging, interviews, and a million other things that can persuade while also informing and sometimes even entertaining. It really seems to be a science and an art.
How did you break into the industry and land your first job?
Thank you, thank you, thank you IU! If it wasn’t for an Indy career trek that the Media School hosted last Fall, I might not have found out about the internship opportunities at Hirons. That’s where I first met some of the team here and even got a full agency tour.
Outside of the office, what are some of your hobbies or passions?
I love trying out indie, glitchy, low-quality games with some of my buddies. One we tried was this odd little title called one-armed cook. Basically, you’re a bunch of clumsy chefs in a crowded kitchen trying to cook a decent hamburger without setting the place on fire. Also, I always love going on runs around the neighborhood with my Wire Fox Terrier, Ginger. Back at college, I enjoy ushering at the IU Auditorium, helping make the guests’ evenings special and getting to see a free concert or Broadway show with my friends.
What’s your favorite time of day?
I really love mid-morning, like 9 or 10. I’m definitely a morning person, but not a 6 am morning person. I like the sun to be out just a little with the whole day still ahead. There’s always a sense of possibility and excitement around that time.
What was your first job?
My first job was at the Warren Park Papa Johns back in high school. I tended the oven, answered calls, and occasionally prepped the dough. Though many say it cannot be done, I was able to successfully Outpizza the Hut not once but twice during my time there.
What’s an accomplishment you’re proud of, personally or professionally?
I’d have to say that my proudest accomplishment was obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. I really enjoyed repainting, refurnishing, and redecorating the Cathedral Soup Kitchen downtown as my project. And all the camping or merit badges rarely felt like work, I was always surrounded by a bunch of great, goofy guys that made every trip a memorable adventure chock full of “you-had-to-be-there” moments.
What’s your favorite restaurant in town?
This restaurant has closed but it was amazing, Oriental Inn on Arlington Avenue just north of 10th St. My family and I used to go all the time, especially on Christmas Eve. No one (No one) will ever be able to beat their super savory Kung Pao Chicken. It was perfect in every way, from the whole peanuts to the thick cut onions and peppers to the tender chicken.
Describe yourself in three words.
Optimistic, Classic, and Open-minded
Do you have a favorite movie or book?
It would have to be The Out-of-Towners (1970), it’s a screwball comedy about an Ohio couple flying to New York City for a big shot interview, with expectations that they’re gonna turn the trip into a vacation at the world’s greatest metropolis. But, delays, thieves, burglars, park rangers, and a slew of other stuff cause pretty much everything to go horribly wrong in the funniest way possible.
What’s your favorite part of working at Hirons?
I think it’s my independence in the work environment, I value a company that trusts its employees to do their job well and Hirons certainly does. Nobody’s micromanaging me and I’m always encouraged to reach out if I want more work or less if my schedule’s getting heavy. Hirons really supports its team members’ efforts to do their favorite kinds of work and explore their unique skills and interests. I was even given an extensive survey at the start of my internship where I detailed the sorts of specific projects and areas of advertising I’d most enjoy working in. That meant a lot to me.
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