Intern Spotlight: Springing into a Digital Design Career  

Sandra Fancher recently interviewed Maddy Szczypka about her experience as an intern at Stamats.

My name is Maddy Szczypka. I am a visual artist and designer with a passion for creating laid-back yet striking artwork and graphics.

My interests include visual layouts from magazines or zines, fashion, print making art, classic rock music, and travel. In my free time while making art, I focus on transforming everyday life and mundane objects into engaging, meaningful visuals.

Over the past eight years, my creative practice has centered on graphic design and fine arts, including painting, drawing, and various hands-on media. Recently, I’ve expanded into web design and development, 3D modeling, and animation, embracing new technologies to enhance my exploration of art.

These past few months, I’ve been a part of Stamats through a family internship. It’s a wonderful employee benefit where any immediate family member is offered a guaranteed internship.

1. What was the biggest thing you learned at your internship at Stamats? 

I gained a lot of insights throughout my time, so it is hard to pick one thing. Some of the most significant lessons I learned include:

• Using Resources Effectively: I discovered how crucial it is to take full advantage of the tools, software, and creative assets at my disposal. This not only streamlined my workflow but also helped me bring ideas to life more efficiently. Whether it was leveraging design templates, researching industry trends, or seeking feedback, I learned to make the most out of every resource available.

• The Power of Collaboration: I realized that collaboration is key to achieving exceptional results. Working alongside a team of talented individuals taught me how to embrace different perspectives, communicate ideas clearly, and build on each other’s strengths. This experience reinforced the idea that great designs are rarely created in isolation—they thrive on teamwork and shared creativity.

• The Importance of Content and Research in the Creative Process: One of the most surprising and impactful lessons was understanding how foundational copywriting and research are to the design process. I learned that some of the best ideas don’t just come from visual brainstorming—they often start with deep research into the brand, audience, and competitive landscape, followed by crafting compelling narratives. This approach not only made my designs and concepts more meaningful but also ensured they aligned with the brand’s voice and objectives.

Overall, this internship taught me the importance of approaching design with intention, curiosity, and collaboration. I’m excited to bring these lessons into my future projects.

2. What variety of tasks did you do? 

Throughout my internship, I engaged in extensive research and brainstorming, which laid the foundation for many of my projects. I had the opportunity to create a variety of designs and illustrations. Additionally, a significant portion of my time was dedicated to content migration and quality assurance tasks. These projects were diverse and allowed me to cultivate a well-rounded skill set, blending creativity with technical and problem-solving abilities.

3. Which tasks or projects were the most rewarding or exciting to you? 

Some of my most rewarding projects weren’t necessarily the most exciting, but they were incredibly fulfilling because of the hard work and effort I put into bringing them to life. On the other hand, the projects I found most exciting were the ones that allowed me to be highly creative and deeply engaged during the research process. Both types of projects were valuable, as they challenged me in different ways and contributed to my growth.

Related Reading: The ‘Who’ and ‘Why’ Behind Gen Z Employees: What We’ve Learned at Stamats 

4. What surprised you the most during your internship? 

Initially, I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy working on content migration, even though I had some prior experience with site builds. However, as I got into the process, I found that I could approach the work with efficiency, which made it surprisingly satisfying. In the end, completing these tasks was incredibly rewarding and gave me a sense of accomplishment.

5. How was it working with family? 

Working with my family wasn’t much different from working with any other team member. While we were naturally more familiar with each other than I might have been with others initially, the team treated me just like any other member. This allowed me to focus on contributing to the work without any special treatment.

And it didn’t change what I thought my family member did for work. I was glad to have seen first-hand how the team works together, creates concepts, and interacts in a professional environment.

6. What are your career or educational goals, and how has this internship helped you take steps toward them?  

My goal has always been to build a career rooted in creativity, using my inspiration to contribute meaningfully and pursue roles in art, design, illustration, or other creative fields. I’ve always been passionate about modern design, zines, fashion, and anything visually compelling. This experience has reignited my excitement for these environments while allowing me to develop my skills and take meaningful steps toward advancing my career.

7. How has this internship changed your view of the type of workplace you’d like to join in the future?  

This experience has solidified my vision of working in a welcoming and creative environment—a goal I’ve had since I first imagined what my ideal career would look like. The team I worked with here embodies that vision; they are talented, supportive, and truly inspirational.

8. What do you think sets Stamats apart from other companies offering internships? 

I believe the team genuinely wanted the best for me and was always willing to help with the smaller details—things that might go unnoticed in another internship. Their support extends beyond the day-to-day tasks, as they truly wanted to see me succeed, even after the time allotted.

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