Hometown: North Potomac, Maryland
Major and class standing: Graphic Design, Junior
Social media handles: Instagram: @hayleyasaistudio, LinkedIn: Hayley Asai
Where you interned: The Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Silver Spring, MD
What was your internship title and role/responsibilities?
Title: Graphic Design and Communications Intern
Responsibilities:
– Designed and managed weekly arts newsletter sent to over 14,000 subscribers
– Created various social media and internal design projects
– Generated 50th anniversary branding for fiscal year ’26 usage
How did you obtain your internship? What resources did you utilize to secure your internship?
I found this internship online on their website, and reached out to the recruiter. After sending him an email including the requested materials (design samples, resume, and cover letter), I also sent a personal note about my specific interest in exploring the intersection of data, design, and arts in my home county.
What did your daily routine include?
There was no specific daily routine at this office, outside of prescheduled weekly meetings once per day. Our office focused on creating a positive and enjoyable environment for employees, which meant breaking routines and keeping things fresh. Some days I would be in the office all day designing or corresponding with grantees, while other days I would go out with the staff to concerts or exhibitions.
Your favorite experience from the internship?
My favorite experience from the internship was opening night at the gallery our office managed. The staff member with whom I shared an office, Stefan, had curated a selection of artwork from the county collection, which was then presented at the gallery reception to county officials. That night was not only a great opportunity to celebrate Stefan’s work, but also to meet county officials and introduce them to art within the county.
What was your least favorite part of the internship?
My least favorite part of the internship was seeing how art was devalued from a budgetary perspective on the county level. Our CEO also told some very personal stories she faced regarding discrimination on a personal level when she first took her position. While it was inspiring and uplifting to hear her story, it was disappointing to see how much pushback she faced to get to her current role.
What skills did you learn and/or build upon during your internship?
While building on my design skills was important to me, I feel that the time I spent learning about office culture and navigating the public art world were much more beneficial. I was able to see how different pieces of the public arts sector, such as grants and management move together to create a more cohesive whole. Watching different staff members come together to work on large-scale projects reignited my passion for delivering art to communities.
What did you learn about the industry or your career path as a result of the internship? What are your future plans?
I’ve learned that there are jobs out there for me in public art. Not only that, but that I may also be more interested in an administrative role within the design world. This wouldn’t come as a surprise to any outsider looking into my life, with my history of leadership positions and heavy involvement with the campus arts scene. Still, it took real life experience to understand that this is something I would be interested in pursuing in the future. While I would be interested in looking for opportunities beyond my home area of the D.C. metro next year, my office has strong connections with national public arts agencies and I am strongly considering an internship in that area.
What advice do you have for other students seeking out internship opportunities?
I’ve found the best success in my career so far making decisions that help me stand out from the crowd. Whether this is leadership roles, passions, letterpress printing, or unique projects, make the choice that sets you apart from the crowd. Also, don’t be afraid to wholly pursue your interests. You’ll be happier working at the intersection of things you care about. A bonus: if those intersections don’t exist, you can create them.
