The Intern Diaries: Exploring Creativity Through Color and Design
At Think Together, interns don’t just learn, they contribute to projects that make a meaningful difference. This summer, Graphic Design Intern Danica Mendiola brought her creativity and dedication to the graphic design team, collaborating on projects that shaped the look and feel of Think Together’s brand identity.
From illustrating characters to designing a mural for Think Together’s Home Office, Danica’s summer was filled with opportunities to sharpen her skills, work with a supportive team, and experience what it’s like to be part of a mission-driven organization.
In this Q&A, Danica shares her day-to-day responsibilities, what she learned, and her advice for future interns.
Q: What were some of your daily responsibilities during your internship?
Danica: I reported to the Senior Graphic Designer and the Art Director, creating graphics, character illustrations, and layouts for other departments.
Q: What’s the most valuable thing you learned during your internship?
I learned what a good team looks like and how it functions. I also got to see what corporate life is like and how to work in a team setting, which was new for me.
Q: Of all your projects, which one was the most memorable?
Definitely painting the mural for Think Together’s Home Office. Julia, the other graphic design intern, and I were able to design it and take the reins. The team completely trusted us with the project. It was refreshing to work on something so different from our usual laptop-based work.
Q: How has this internship helped prepare you for your career?
I’ve become more familiar and comfortable with Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office. Plus, this internship helped me build a portfolio I can use for future opportunities.
Q: What advice would you give to a future graphic design intern at Think Together?
Don’t be nervous, everyone on the team is rooting for you and don’t be afraid to ask questions, even if you think they might be “dumb.” I’ve asked plenty, and it’s all part of learning!
Q: If you could describe your internship experience in one word, what would it be?
Fulfilling. Working at Think Together made me feel so happy, the outcome of every assignment I completed felt rewarding because I knew it contributed to the company’s mission to change the odds for kids.
Danica’s summer internship reflects what makes Think Together’s internship program unique. Young professionals are given the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, collaborate with colleagues, and gain skills that will serve them in their career, all while changing the odds for kids and families across California.
Interested in learning more about our internship program?
Check out what past interns have said about their internships here. If you’re ready to launch your career in the nonprofit space, head over to Think Together’s career page to learn more about open roles.
