My phone rang. I opened the case to see who was calling and did not recognize the number. Naturally, I answered it. It was Doug Cook from ND&P asking if I’d be interested in working on a project with them for the next three weeks. I coolly said yes, we exchanged a few more words, and the conversation was over. After setting down the phone, I did my “I just landed an internship” dance and prepared myself for the next day.

© Stephan Leavens

There was little I could do to have adequately prepared myself for the next three weeks. I found out that I was going to work on the opening of the Volkswagen Academy in Chattanooga. I was hit with deadlines that seemed way too tight. I discovered the beauty of proofreaders! I placed more phone calls in one day than I had made in my entire life. I was the low man on the totem pole, and I loved every second of it.

The best part of my internship was how much I learned from the experience. Hands down, this was the most important move of my career to date. Although my only graphics-related tasks were mainly related to updating and revising charts and graphs, I learned that I would love being a graphic designer in an agency like ND&P. Working for clients is a new realm of my career that I am beginning to gain firsthand experience in, and working on this project was quite the introduction to it.

My biggest fear as a graduating senior is if I will find a job, and when I find one, if it will be at a place where I will enjoy working. Working at ND&P convinced me that it is indeed possible to have your cake and eat it, too. 

(Caitlyn Mayers, ND&P Chattanooga Office Intern)