Inside Initiative’s ‘Iso Internship’: Yanking down geographical barriers to get ahead in the talent race
It would have been very easy for Initiative to cancel its internship program this year – many of the media agency’s competitors did just that as COVID-19 began to take a toll. But instead, the ‘Iso Internship’ was born, an online alternative to the business’ face-to-face program. Mumbrella’s Brittney Rigby speaks to people and culture director Scott Laird, and two of the ‘iso interns’, about participating in an online internship when you live in a town without wi-fi, pitching from hospital, and debunking Mad Men myths.
When Charlie Hodgkin was accepted into Initiative’s ‘Iso Internship’, he knew he had a big problem to solve: He was about to participate in the media agency’s intensive, four-week program without access to wi-fi. He didn’t, however, anticipate dialling into his group’s final presentation from a hospital bed.
The 24-year-old lives in Mitta Mitta, a tiny Victorian town – the broader Mitta Mitta Valley region has a reported population of 600, but Hodgkin says only around 30 live in the township itself – approximately an hour south-east of Albury-Wodonga.
“Living there in lockdown is no different to living there any other time,” Hodgkin laughs, “because nothing changes at all.
Terrific insight on a complex issue- always a pleasure to read Britney’s features