The PRIME Team has some additional help this summer. Heather Claude and Dorian Manuel have come aboard, offering fresh ideas while learning about the industry in a real-world setting. We’re excited to have them and put their talents to work. Keep reading to meet our summer interns, who will be gaining professional experience with PRIME over the next several weeks.
The Xperience Experience
Since 2019, PRIME has partnered with North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) to hire summer interns who have career interests in specific areas of marketing. The school’s Xperience Project helps students earn college credit and first-hand experience through internships.
This year, we are lucky enough to have two interns work with and learn from the PRIME Team. Heather’s skillset will benefit our Web & Digital Marketing Team. She’s well-versed in programming, Google Analytics, website updates, SEO, design, and more. Dorian’s experience with print, packaging, branding, social, and web design make her a great fit for our Design Team.
Say Hello to Heather Claude
Born in Alabama but raised in Minnesota, Heather Claude grew up thinking she wanted to become a storm chaser. “I wanted to be one of those people who would get in a car with their fancy video camera and chase after tornados,” she said. “Later in life, my survival instincts kicked in and I decided against that.”
Instead, Heather studied animation and earned a Bachelor of Science in Media Art and Animation from the Art Institutes International Minnesota. In 2021, she earned a Web Graphic Design and Programming eCommerce certificate from NHCC, where she is currently working toward an Associate of Science degree in Computer Science.
With this internship, Heather is enthusiastic about practicing her skills and discovering how and where they fit in with the industry. “I’ve learned that what’s taught in school often doesn’t come close to how the real world works,” she said. “I’m excited to learn the ins and outs of real web design.”
Her attentiveness and productivity will come in handy while working on web and digital marketing assignments. This self-described “quick study” uses details to her advantage.
“I like to find the fastest and most accurate way to get something done,” Heather explained. “I find that knowing the connecting parts of a concept makes it easier to understand and better interact with the system as a whole.”
When she’s not busy with work and school, Heather stays active with a host of endeavors. “I like to go for walks or bike rides with my dogs, play video games, draw, and book bind. And if I have the funds, I do puzzle rooms with friends,” she said.
Meet Dorian Manuel
It seems only fitting that Dorian Manuel is working with PRIME’s Design Team this summer. That sort of visual creativity has been a dream since early on. At five years old, a family friend asked what she wanted to be when she got older.
Her reply? An artist.
Not a performing artist, she noted, but more of a visual artist. “I wanted to create art in many forms,” Dorian continued. “From that point on, it took me a while to figure out that what I really wanted to do was graphic design.”
From there, Dorian earned an Associate of Science degree in Graphic Design from NHCC. Through interning at PRIME, she’s eager to work with the team and hone her craft. “I’m most excited to learn from everyone here,” she said. “I’m hoping to contribute to some of the projects and improve my skills.”
Though just getting her feet wet in the industry, Dorian brings to the table a multitude of strengths, including an impartial mindset. “I think it’s important to be open to different ways of doing things,” she explained. “And being able to accept constructive criticism opens opportunities for growth and improvement.”
Off the clock, Dorian listens to podcasts that cover a slew of random topics. She also stays busy with a consistent workout routine and — as most cat owners can attest — surrenders to the expectations of her feline housemate. “I have a little black cat named Jiji, who demands a lot of playtime from me,” she said.
Full of Confidence
The PRIME Team was delighted to meet our summer interns and looks forward to helping Heather and Dorian gain professional experience over the next few weeks. We have full confidence that this pair will learn a lot and provide great ideas and input on a multitude of projects. Learn more about PRIME and how its endless stream of capabilities can benefit your business. Contact us today for all your marketing needs.
