Meet Paulsen’s 2022 Summer Interns

We love summer here at Paulsen. Not only for the sunny days that are perfect for agency outings and client video shoots but because it’s internship time! This year, Paulsen has three interns bringing new life to the agency. They’re fun, young, and eager to learn.

Say hello to (from left to right) Jacob Boyko, Britney Ford and Katelyn Sterling. We’ll let them take it from here.

Where are you from?

Britney: Tipton, Iowa. I grew up on a farm south of town.

Jacob: Madison, South Dakota. My family moved there from California eight years ago.

Katelyn: Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

College and major?

B: I’m a junior at Iowa State University double majoring in Agricultural Business and Agricultural Systems Technology.

J: I study journalism at South Dakota State University. I’ll be a senior this fall.

K: I’m a senior at the University of South Dakota majoring in Media and Journalism. But this fall I’m studying at the University of South Carolina through a National Student Exchange program!

Why Paulsen?

B: I attended the National Agri-Marketing Association’s conference, where I was introduced to Sara Steever. I kept hearing from other conference-goers that if you want to intern at a marketing agency, Paulsen is the place to go.

J: The similarities between journalism and marketing. You’re researching and analyzing but instead of just writing about it you’re also playing a larger role in a solution.

K: I met Emily Johnson at a career fair. She was so genuinely happy to share her experiences about working at Paulsen. It sparked my interest.

What’s your favorite part now that you’re here?

B: Getting a front-row seat to the entire process. Now that I am behind the scenes, I absolutely love it!

J: The research that is applied to everything that happens at Paulsen. It’s a rewarding experience to step back and see the full picture you and your team have uncovered.

K: The Strengths Finder. It’s interesting to see your strengths but also everyone else’s and how they use them to work together.

Name a goal you have for your internship.

B: Learn and grow.

J: Practice outside-the-box thinking.

K: Learn the ins and outs of a marketing agency.

Go-to work playlist?

B: A playlist called the Sand Bar with country tunes that remind me of summers at home!

J: I start out with Newfound Glory, a little Gordon Lightfoot after lunch, and 311 during the final stretch with spontaneous bursts of 38 Special, 100 Gecs, Boston, John Denver and Frank Zappa. If work gets more intense, I switch to a playlist I have called “the grind” full of amazing synthesizer music.

K: Usually my throwbacks playlist.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

B: An architect. I was obsessed with building structures and the details. I’d spend hours looking at random blueprints.

J: I’d spend every waking moment outside tending my plants as a kid. I didn’t know terms like “botany” or “horticulture” at the time, but I was set on doing something like that.

K: A mortician.

If you had to choose one food to eat the rest of your life, what would it be?

B: Pasta. Doesn’t matter if it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, I’m always up for a plate of pasta.

J: Gyro with tzatziki, lamb, black olives, red onion and other veggies is the obvious choice.

K: Pizza. Definitely pizza.

Name an interesting fact about yourself.

B: I spent a lot of time last summer operating locomotives.

J: I collect electronics! I have over 50 CRT televisions from the 1950s to the late 2000s.

K: I’ve been skydiving before.

And in ode to Thane Paulsen’s favorite hobby, what would you name your boat if you had one?

B: My family spends a lot of time on the Lake of the Ozarks so we often discuss this. My favorite one we’ve come up with is “Working Remotely” or “Networking.”

J: I’d call my vessel the Skinwalker or Wendigo. Something mysterious.

K: If I had a boat, I’d name it Titanic II or Shark Bait.