Social Assurance’s intern program is all about substance and support. Our aim is to attract and develop top talent, so we can harness fresh perspectives to grow and innovate at every level. To do it, we introduce students to SaaS (software as a service) at scale in the complex landscapes of the industries we serve–including financial services and education. With a focused and determined creative energy, a strong drive to learn, and a well-rounded technical skillset–it’s no wonder we can’t help but brag on our latest intern spotlight. Meet Jayda.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Jayda Lyon and I’m a senior at UNL. I initially attended Concordia University Nebraska as a student of Psychology and Marketing, but my passion for art and design was reignited when I took a drawing class my sophomore year. I decided to double major in Graphic Design and Marketing, and in 2020, I transferred to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in pursuit of a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science. I graduate in August and can’t wait to follow my dream of becoming a professional graphic designer and creative director. I’m originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, and I love making art, posting YouTube videos, playing with my dog, and running.
What’s your role at Social Assurance? What kind of projects do you work on?
I am a graphic design intern at Social Assurance. I work on projects and designs for financial brands and collaborate with our internal marketing teams on creative projects for our brands. This includes contributing to and leading designs for promotional company videos, campaigns for industry events, our social media channels, and a variety of other projects.
What’s your creative process like?
My creative process usually begins with trial and error, and a lot of patience. I start with a few different ideas and flesh out how they compare and contrast in the design realm. Playing around with different design elements, layouts, and other graphic components, I test out a few options, take a step back, and sit with my work for a while. I come back later with fresh eyes and continue this process until I have something I am proud of.
What’s important to you when it comes to an internship?
It’s important to me that the company I work for is going to challenge me creatively and push me to take risks. Trust and feedback are very important to my creative process, so an internship that provides guided responsibilities makes me a much better designer and employee.
What’s unique about Social Assurance?
Social Assurance is unique as a company and internship because the team wants interns fully-involved. Our intern team doesn’t do coffee runs or make copies; we work on independent assignments and are given many opportunities to learn and grow. Spearheading projects is encouraged and good ideas are valued.
“I work on projects and designs for financial brands and collaborate with our internal marketing teams on creative projects for our brands.“
Tell us about some of the coolest projects you’ve worked on?
The coolest projects I’ve worked on have involved a lot of creative freedom. I had the opportunity to design stickers for an event we supported honoring women in banking. I made three different designs that were all centered on inclusion and empowerment in our industry. I was so excited when they got printed, and now I get to see them on laptops or water bottles. Another cool project I worked on was a TikTok interview with our CEO, Ben, and another intern, Rukhshona. We filmed a segment we dubbed “Battle of the Generations,” and I edited the video and posted it on TikTok. It’s so rewarding to create work that garners engagement and that people enjoy. I also work with our website content, helping tie our content together in a strategic and efficient way. I get to use WordPress, which is a tool I was unfamiliar with before I started at Social Assurance. I enjoy using it because it reminds me of a simplified coding process. Social Assurance has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn new skills and tools I can use in other areas.
"Social Assurance has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and learn new skills and tools I can use in other areas."
What has surprised you most about working with community banks, credit unions, and financial brands?
Community banks, credit unions, and financial brands are a lot more interesting than they might sound. They want to have their finger on the pulse of culture just as much as any influencer, and Social Assurance’s job is to help them do so.
What advice would you give to other students?
Jump on every opportunity that’s presented to you. Lead projects, pitch ideas, and apply for everything. This time last year I did not think I would be in a position at a company making a real impact, but after joining the Social Assurance team, I have learned so much about content marketing, the digital landscape, and myself as a designer.
Interested in learning more about Social Assurance’s internship program? Drop us a line at careers@socialassurance.com or visit our careers page.
