A senior at the University of Oregon, Olivia is currently copy chief for the independent student newspaper, The Daily Emerald.

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When I accepted the position as Marketing Writer Intern at The Partners Group, I remember thinking to myself, “I hope there is a crash course on marketing for insurance out there!” I immediately noticed during the interview process the positive and welcoming energy, but I still couldn’t quite block out the pre-existing corporate stereotypes I had grown up watching: isolated cubicles, harsh fluorescent lighting, and an eclectic ensemble of co-workers.

On the fourth day of my internship, I opened my calendar to see a four-hour filming shoot had been added to my afternoon. Four hours for a four-minute video? Yeah right, I thought to myself.

Surely, four hours later, I was proven wrong. Well, I was somewhat right. While the filming itself didn’t take long, I was exposed to the realities of fancy equipment and the steps it takes to produce a powerful piece of media.

Looking back, I can clearly see where all five of TPG’s core values were incorporated in this task:

  • Play Well With Others: This was my first project that involved employees from other divisions, and where I learned how to intentionally engage with my co-workers in the Portland office.
  • Be Curious: I asked our videographer many, many questions about all the different camera tools and their purpose, but it was also an opportunity to ask him questions and get to know him on a more personal level.
  • Be a Champion: The project focused on business development for both the Wealth Management team and Marketing, creating winning solutions for all involved.
  • Own It: Although there were times when a piece of equipment was difficult to set up, I owned it and kept going with the task at hand.
  • Have Fun and Live Well: There were many pauses and takes throughout the shoot where laughs were shared and conversations were had.

Now, three months and many video shoots later, I can attest that The Partners Group exceeded my expectations of a corporate work culture. The marketing team had fun ways of socializing, such as our coffee/breakfast at 8 a.m. or our “Fun-Drink-O’-Clock” at 3 p.m. Additionally, I had never worked somewhere with adjustable lighting, so I definitely made use of it when I was the only team member in office — no harsh lighting here! Needless to say, after about a week, I learned that TPG was unlike any office stereotypes I had envisioned.

For the longest time, my response to the constant “What do you wanna do once you graduate?” question was, “I don’t know what industry, but I want to make a difference in the world.” TPG absolutely exceeded this goal of mine; whether it was larger events like our TPG Throwdown, or the internal committees (shoutout to the TPG in Action meeting I attended!) that support our employees’ health and wellbeing, it is evident that TPG wants to make a difference in each and every person’s lives, no matter who they are.

I am grateful for TPG’s exceptional welcome to the corporate world, and thankful to have had experience in a workplace culture that treats and values their employees as humans, not just numbers.

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