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Article Outline:
Introduction
Through the Eyes of an Intern
What I Learned
What an Internship at 5 Stones Looks Like
Our summer intern, Emma, is a college senior studying Professional Writing and Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. When she first reached out to us about an internship, we knew 5 Stones would be the perfect place for her to use both of these interests to serve the Church.
Below, she shares what it was like being part of the agency team at 5 Stones this past summer.
If you’re curious what Catholic marketing entails or are interested in working with the 5 Stones team as an intern, then you’ve made it to the right place! In this blog, I will walk you through what an internship looks like at 5 Stones and what I learned during my time here as a copywriter.
When I was first introduced to 5 Stones, my immediate thought was “I can put both my majors to use there!” which has held true to my time with the agency. What pushed me to reach out was the opportunity to utilize both my personal interests and my faith for the good of the Kingdom.
So if you’re interested in making a difference in the Catholic world and want to dip your toes in the marketing waters, then an internship at 5 Stones might be the right fit for you!
Building Relationships is Key
Understanding clients and their needs is what makes 5 Stones’ time with each client fruitful.
I’ve learned it takes time to build meaningful relationships – God gives us the gift of time to enter into conversations that bring forth bright and profound ideas.
Moving Parts
While an idea might sound simple, there are more often than not multiple components to each new project.
It becomes apparent that communication is a necessity in this field.
Not only are there moving parts between each department, but there’s a lot moving just within the Agency. From managing a project with a consistent client to completely rebranding an organization’s mission, I’ve learned that within each mundane or exciting task, Christ is always at the center.
Prayer, Prayer, Prayer
It is inevitable that work will get done. But it is when we begin each task with a prayer and an open heart that it becomes fruitful.
Each meeting begins with prayer, each week begins with prayer, and each day brings new ideas and blessings. It is a privilege to have a chapel in the building where we can take time to pray together and be in the presence of our Lord daily.
Each team member brings something different to the table. And that is a blessing in itself. We thank God each day for the opportunity to work not just with our clients but with one another as well.
We find joy in praising Him in everything that we do. Read more about 5 Stones’ mission here: Our Mission.
Copywriting: What it Looks Like
Having a copywriting job at 5 Stones means understanding the inner workings of both our clients’ missions and our own mission.
While it can be difficult to fully grasp the new concepts thrown at you, it is important to understand how, through grasping these concepts, you are glorifying the Lord and His plan for the work you are doing.
With writing copy comes deleted or unused sentences. It can be hard to part ways with something you’ve written for a client, but that’s part of the job! It is rewarding to write something that can lead others closer to the Kingdom.
Copywriting at 5 Stones can include writing website copy, emails, blogs, ads, and social media posts. You are assigned clients based on interest and priority – if you have an interest in working with a client, the leadership team will do their best to get you writing for them. But if that’s not possible, things are assigned as they need to be done, which is just as fruitful because you get to push your limits as a writer!
Jumping Right In
You get the chance to jump right in!
Being an intern at 5 Stones is unlike being an intern at any other company. 5 Stones does not have a specific internship program in which they hire interns regularly. This means if you reach out, you have a conversation with the team to decide if it will be a good fit for both you and 5 Stones.
If you are hired as an intern, you have the opportunity to jump right in! 5 Stones doesn’t designate certain work as “intern-level” with a separate set of tasks; rather, they treat their interns as real contributing members of the team. This means you will work on relevant projects as they get assigned to you. You work the same hours as the whole team and will get to dive into meaningful work that is making a difference in the Church.
Guided by Christ
It can be hard to keep up with all the new information you are receiving the first few weeks you start, but at the center of each task is Christ. Each team member takes the time to prepare you for everything you will encounter during your time here. The team has so many different gifts and talents – if you have a question, ask! They are more than happy to help get you settled.
5 Stones recognizes the work they do is rooted in Christ and His mission to serve the Church. In this same spirit, they begin each meeting with prayer. During your time here, you will be guided by Christ through the work you do for the good of His Church and her members.
The Culture
The culture at 5 Stones is unlike any other office job. The team strives to understand one another on a deeper level.
We have a “5 Stones Prayer Requests” chat where you can ask for prayers for an intention on your heart. We have debates where the Agency team talks about what’s on their minds each week – whether it’s about food, ice cream, or sports, we are interested in hearing each other's opinions! We have weekly Mass where the entire team gathers in communion to glorify our Lord and the work He is doing within our apostolate.
The community 5 Stones has created feels like family. The Lord is doing great things at 5 Stones, and it is a gift to work with the people here.
If you’re feeling called to this unique opportunity, reach out to our team to learn more!
