One thing I find refreshing when I meet with these newcomers is their excitement and passion for the design process. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and they remind me of my earlier years when I first started my career. I must confess that after almost 30 years in the advertising business, there are times that I’ve experienced my job as routine. But I don’t want that to happen. I want to keep the creative fires burning and I want to be excited by each and every project our clients entrust to us.

A few years ago we offered Lindsey Mishler (now Lindsey Cousino) an internship over the summer. She was studying graphic design at Grand Valley State University in western Michigan, and she had a strong portfolio for a third-year student. To say that she livened the place up would be an understatement. Her attitude and humor were refreshing, and she definitely raised the energy level around the office. She was up for anything we threw at her, from assisting our designers with their production work to running errands to washing dishes. She loved it all, and it impressed me greatly. So when she graduated the next year, we hired her. She has excelled in the design and production work we have given her, and as importantly, hasn’t lost a bit of her enthusiasm. All of our staff (and our clients) have benefited from her positive energy. And that’s where having youthful designers can pay off in a big way.