Insights from our 2024 interns

At Notion, our internship program is designed to provide aspiring professionals with immersive, hands-on experience in the fast-paced world of a B2B creative agency.

This year, we welcomed a group of talented interns who quickly became an integral part of our team. From diving into complex projects to collaborating with seasoned creatives, they’ve learned and grown in ways that exceeded their expectations.

We interviewed our 2024 interns — Cassie, Larissa and James — to find out what experiences have shaped their time at Notion, what they learned and what takeaways will have the biggest impact on their professional journeys. Whether you’re considering an internship or just curious about life inside a creative agency, their insights offer a glimpse into what makes our internship program truly special.

What made you interested in the Notion internship?

“I was first introduced to Notion during an internship fair at Webster University where I had to the chance to speak with Nish and Sarah about the program. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and pursue something different. I was interested in a smaller company where I would get hands-on experience working with clients on real-world projects. At Webster, I worked on primarily B2C projects, so the opportunity to try Account Service at a B2B agency was incredibly intriguing.”

– Cassie Gray, Account Service Intern

“I graduated with a degree in Creative Writing from Webster University, and I’ve been very eager to learn what type of writing skills are needed in the world of business marketing and professional communications. I’ve always had a passion for words, and I was introduced to Notion by some friends who encouraged me to send an email to Matt. I asked for an informational interview so I could learn more about the company … and it just so happened there was an internship position for copywriting opening up. After our conversation, he encouraged me to apply for it! Here I am!”

– Larissa Smith, Copywriting Intern

“Before the internship, I had the privilege of visiting the Notion office and briefly interacted with many members of the team, who were all very friendly. That tour really helped me narrow down what kind of graphic design work I should be focusing on. While presenting at my senior exhibition, some creative staff members from Notion came to my booth and provided me with some great comments and feedback on my design work. Both my interest in communicative design and my personal experience with Notion got me very interested in their internship position.”

– James Less, Design Intern

What did you most enjoy working on during your time at Notion?

“I have most enjoyed reviewing and proofreading because I get to interact with a vast array of projects. I’ve had the opportunity to review a variety of project types like event presentations, brochures, social posts, eBooks and so much more. I got to work on and experience a little bit of everything that goes on at Notion, which I have found very rewarding.”

– Cassie

“Getting hands-on experience with projects — specifically writing and editing case studies. The other writers on the copy team and I share a mutual love of spotting errors in text and correcting them while ensuring each piece meets brand guidelines for voice and tone.”

– Larissa

“Typically, my favorite kind of project is one that teaches me something new. This was certainly the case for my video- and print-related tasks. Constructing storyboards, organizing Illustrator files for video manipulation, and interacting with the video team has given me the opportunity to learn so much about the video creation process. Additionally, my work in print has been interesting since it heavily relies on considering CMYK values and unique print settings, which has greatly expanded my understanding of design. I am awestruck by the amount of support and advice I’ve been given in order to succeed.”

– James

What have you learned about…

Marketing

“No two projects are the same and no project is as simple or straightforward as it seems. Each project goes through multiple rounds of revisions by both creative and account teams, is edited and approved by the clients, checked by legal teams, etc.”

– Cassie

“When someone says they have a job in ‘marketing’ it means they are a part of a big team working together to achieve a goal; Design, copy, account management, sales, and so many more of these positions are essential. Every creative person in marketing has an important part to play, and Notion is great about highlighting and celebrating it.”

– Larissa

“During my time in school, marketing was not something I considered too often when in my design process. Now, I consider it almost every time I design! What I’ve learned about B2B marketing is that every business is made up of individuals, so instead of just designing for the brand, you should also market to the individuals who play a key part in decision making.”

– James

The creative industry

“It is just as fast paced as everyone says. Projects are sent out in the morning with client feedback back by the end of the day, or internal feedback is returned in less than 20 minutes. I truly didn’t understand the speed of this industry until I experienced it myself.”

– Cassie

“The creative agency life is extremely fast paced, and everyone has each other’s back at Notion. Being able to collaborate on projects with a team of people who bring out each other’s strengths is extremely beneficial for success. I enjoy the constant flow of work and know that if I ever need help with a project, everyone is happy to offer assistance, input or another cup of coffee.”

– Larissa

“‘Be a sponge.’ That was the first piece of advice I was given on day one. In an age of technological and artistic innovation, it’s important to learn from everything. I had never considered how true that is until I joined a professional creative environment. I’ve learned to better utilize Figma, PowerPoint and InDesign during my time at Notion, and it’s all from opening my mind and being willing to continue learning.”

– James

The professional world

“Efficient organizational systems are the key to a successful company and successful employees. On my first day at Notion, I was shown the naming processes, and folder and email structures we need to use at all times. Although it took some getting used to, it showed me how beneficial a strong organizational system can be when properly implemented and utilized. It has made me want to completely sort and organize my personal files and emails just so everything is as effectively organized as Notion’s files are.”

– Cassie

“The professional world sounds scary, but it really isn’t. At the end of the day, you are working with real people with real talents and goals. Clear structures and organized processes are essential for creative production. But you also need to build trusting relationships and maintain high morale.”

– Larissa

“Attending business meetings, communicating with different teams and collaborating with business partners are all new experiences for me that have taught me so much about how Notion does business. I’m learning industry terms and how to collaborate with other professionals and clients.”

– James

Can you share one life or professional lesson you’ve learned so far that you’ll take with you?

“One professional lesson I will take with me is to be eager and don’t be afraid to ask questions. I would ask to join meetings my manager was attending, which would lead me to meet new people and have new experiences that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. I would ask if anyone needed help and would receive a wide range of tasks that gave me skills and experiences in new programs and the confidence to try new things.”

– Cassie

“Being professional doesn’t mean being boring. Companies like it when you bring your authentic self to work, and you will get a lot more satisfaction from your job if you do, too. We’re humans, not robots. Being passionate about your work is in, and you never know who you might inspire or connect with!”

– Larissa

“Everything is a learning experience. Take in all the knowledge you can but filter out the things that won’t help you grow. Make sure that you take in multiple viewpoints and perspectives when creating, then decide how you feel about your creation after consideration.”

– James