idfive is offering a paid social design apprenticeship this summer

With Lorem Impact, idfive is expanding its efforts working with college students in the summer of 2019.
The Baltimore advertising and marketing agency is launching the 10-week, paid apprenticeship program focused on social design. Applications are open through Feb. 1, 2019.

idfive's searching for 2 college students or recent graduates for a 10-week social design apprenticeship. Can you flex your creative abilities and do good at one of the fastest-moving agencies in Baltimore? Let's find out. https://t.co/KG2VnE4pMb

— idfive (@idfive) November 16, 2018

Open to students or recent grads of communications, design, and web development programs, the goal is to create meaningful work. Through the summer, the two students who are accepted will work 40 hours a week directly with leaders and mentors at the agency.
The students will also get an introduction to the industry through a curriculum that was developed by the agency’s team over the last year. Mentors will guide the students on a “deep dive” through the different departments at the agency, as well as the process of working on a campaign such as client calls, brainstorming and construction of a project. They’ll get experience that seeks to go beyond school, such as facing deadlines and specific timelines, said Director of Client Services Caitlin Currey, who is a coordinator of the apprenticeship program.
The idea is to apply what they’ve learned, and fully conceptualize, create and deliver a campaign, project or product that helps a nonprofit.
Creative Director Matt McDermott, who is also coordinating the program, said it’s designed to be “intensive,” and in turn presents a growth opportunity as the apprentices will be encouraged to take risks, and have a chance produce real work for a nonprofit.
idfive works with a variety of clients in health, education and philanthropy. The agency employs more than 40 people, and recently moved to new offices on MICA’s campus in Bolton Hill.
McDermott and other employees at the agency frequently work with students, as they teach at colleges in the area including MICA, Stevenson, University of Baltimore and Towson. They frequently see students looking to get experience and build their portfolio through internships and other work with companies in the area.
“We felt like we could take that a step further from the agency side,” McDermott said. While they’ve offered internships, the agency leaders found there was room to create a fuller experience. So they decided to “tear the internship down to the studs” and rebuild it.
We’ve seen tech companies take on more rigorous apprenticeship models, and Lorem Impact shows that it can be applied for design and other creative work, as well. They’ve been reaching out to a host of university program directors, who have provided the feedback that it’s unique in the area. Offering the chance to work in the rhythm of daily life and work on real projects is valuable for students as they look to break into the job market. While it represents an investment, it also helps growing companies as they’re searching for talent, as Currey said there is the potential to bring students on full-time following the summer if things go well. idfive also puts a high value on providing the specific training in mission-oriented work.
“In addition to building our pipeline of talent, we’re hoping to raise up socially-minded designers,” Currey said.