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Looking for a summer internship? DFA National wants you!
Although most DFA campus studios are on vacation, the summer months here in Evanston are busy as we prepare for and host Leadership Studio, the annual conference that brings together over 200 studio leaders, industry partners, design professionals, mentors, and community members.
We are looking for enthusiastic, hard-working DFAers to help us design and build this award-winning, five-day, intensive crash course in design basics, leadership, and community building. DFA Interns practice human-centered design every day, plan a 48-hour design sprint challenge, decide how to showcase the mission and spirit of DFA, have fun, and grow their DFAmily.
What really goes on at the DFA National Studio?
DFA values community, design, and impact. As an intern, you are part of the team, helping shape the overall DFALS18 experience. Help add to the walls covered in Post-it® notes, and join us as we snack on Goldfish® crackers to help generate more ideas, more insights, and a bigger and better DFALS.
It isn’t just about what boxes have been checked on any given day, it’s about the people. At DFA National, we get to interact with design leaders and innovators regularly. Interns will join in field trips to Chicago, meet with folks from the likes of IBM, Pinterest, Chicago Board of Elections and so many more.
What did the interns learn?
How to put design skills to use, the importance of communication, iteration, and collaboration. Our 2017 interns Jesse Palma and Julia Hatfield from DFA Purdue, and Lucas O’Bryan from DFA UIUC each shared thoughts on their experience at DFA National last summer!
“Working with a team at an organizational level taught me how important it is to iterate and critique. Things take time and learning how to effectively give feedback taught me the importance of how it can really help drive your design or whatever you’re working on.” Jesse was in charge of visuals and helped drive the look and feel of the LS experience.
–Jesse, Industrial Design, Purdue University ’19
“Planning DFALS17 has helped with my leadership skills. I know that in DFA, collaboration is always happening, and as a leader, you can’t be afraid to reach out and ask questions! I also gained exposure to planning and organizing events on a large scale.” Julia designed the welcome experience at Leadership Studio and put those event planning skills to use during MWMU18.
–Julia Hatfield, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Purdue University ’19
“I learned how to communicate what I need, and how to set and clarify expectations. I also understand how valuable it is to truly iterate! It is not just about making edits to something, it’s constantly questioning whether something could be done better, and maybe in a different way.” Lucas prepared over 40 users for the design sprint during LS17.
–Lucas O’Bryan, Engineering, University of Illinois ’19
And if all of this learning doesn’t sound enticing, here’s a last ditch effort!
- You get to make friends with DFA Fellows.
- You are only a 30-minute train ride away from the greatest city in the world – nothing beats summer in Chicago and you can make bonfires on a private beach.
- You get to be official in front of your friends at Leadership Studio.
- You’ll be working with really incredible people and laugh and have fun with DFA National all summer long!
Click for description details and directions on how to apply!