It’s hard to believe our summer interns are already halfway through their time at Johannes Leonardo. In just four weeks, they’ve joined brainstorms, dove into client meetings, snacked through team debriefs (thank you, stocked kitchen), and even raced go-karts through (yes, through) the office. Through the work and the play, they’ve been able to feel the heartbeat of JL—the people, the culture, and the unexpected moments that make every day a little bit like magic.
So, we asked them a simple question:
“What has surprised you most about working at Johannes Leonardo so far?”
Their answers say a lot—about the work, the energy, and the values that shape our agency from the inside out. Here's what they had to say:
Caleb Driesman - Copywriter Intern
“What surprised me the most about JL is how approachable people have been, no matter their level. You can run into the CEO or co-founder just walking around the office and strike up a quick conversation. It's inspiring to be at an agency where everyone feels connected and invested in the day-to-day work.”
Max Dotson - Art Director Intern
“Working here has reminded me of the quote, ‘slow is smooth and smooth is fast.’ People at JL execute their work very casually. It seems to me that part of the recipe for success is in the fact that people know how to keep a level head and a constant pace of work. Nobody lets the pressure get to them, so work flows smoothly, which means the work is good. This was a surprise to me having heard so much about how stressful and high-pressure advertising is as an industry, and while burnout and pressure is definitely there, JL seems to maintain level heads better than most.”
Ezra West - Strategy Intern
“What surprised me most about Johannes Leonardo is the amazing company culture that we get to experience on a day-to-day basis as interns. There's a certain level of detachment that other corporations can have, and Johannes Leonardo feels more like a work family than a group of acquaintances. I LOVE IT HERE!”
Aliah Whitley - Account Management Intern
“Hi! I’m Aliah Whitley, one of the account management interns this summer. What’s surprised me the most about working at Johannes Leonardo is just how genuinely supportive everyone is. From the beginning, I’ve felt like the team truly wants us to grow, not just in our roles, but as our full selves. There’s such a clear effort to create space for individuality. It’s not about blending in, but about showing up as you are and seeing how your differences can actually strengthen the work. That mindset has made me feel both welcomed and inspired. It’s been such a meaningful experience already, and I’m excited to keep learning and contributing!”
Victor Alayande - Production Intern
“What has been great is taking a step into other departments that I'm not directly interning under. I have begun to feel that no matter who I want to learn from, I am able to assist and share my opinion, whether it is sharing a thought with creatives, peeking into Strategy, or peering into Production. Also, the dogs are cool too.”
Hayko Reyes - Design Intern
“One thing that surprised me the most was how easygoing everyone is and how JL finds ways to make this fast-paced industry fruitful. Setting up the events, buying food, and socializing has been a great experience. Also, can’t forget about happy hour. I was expecting things to be more harsh and serious, but JL has found a way to work hard and have fun.”
Tatum Behrens - PR/New Business Intern
“What’s surprised me most about working at Johannes Leonardo so far is how seamlessly the office blends creativity, comfort, and high expectations. I didn’t expect to walk into a space where people race go-karts, bring their dogs to work, and have cold brew on tap, yet also be surrounded by some of the most hard-working, inspiring people I’ve ever met. The culture really encourages individuality, whether it’s through self-expression in what people wear or the way they approach ideas. But what’s even more impressive is that all these fun perks aren’t just handed out—they’re earned through consistently thoughtful, impactful work. It’s a place that rewards both personality and performance, and I’ve had such an amazing experience so far!”
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