Act3 is looking for storyographer interns for the summer of 2011.

What’s a storyographer? Someone with the skills and passion for telling stories creatively, helping others tell their stories, and solving problems through story.

Who’s the ideal candidate? Odds are, you’re not a storyography major (we haven’t found a school that offers one yet). But you could be studying just about anything: film, design, marketing, anthropology, sociology, psychology, computer science … major doesn’t matter. What matters is having an interest in story, and in exploring new ways to tell and use stories to solve complicated organizational challenges.

What do we mean by story?

Every company, organization, business, artist, and brand has a story to tell about what they do, how they do it, and why it matters. Stories impact not only audience behavior, but organizational culture, decision-making, problem-solving, and more. The more effectively an organization frames and tells its story, the greater its success and the deeper its impact. Act3 helps organizations tell stories in creative, surprising, refreshing, and remarkable ways that lead to breakthrough solutions and help cultivate loyal, passionate advocates.

How do we do that? Join us for the summer, and find out.

The ideal Student Storyographer:

• Can think creatively and conceptually
• Brings a range of experience and interests to the table
• Is willing to experiment, explore, and learn
• Wants to work hard to deliver a great finished product
• Plays well with others, but can also work independently

A working knowledge of industry standard software packages, web programming skills, design basics, audio and/or video production skills, and/or an interest in photography, illustration, and/or image-making would be great assets in this position, but none is as important as a knack for innovative problem-solving and the ability to think creatively and conceptually. (It would also be great fun if you sing, play an instrument, or have musical leanings, but this too is not a deal-breaker.)

Logistical details:

• You’d start June 1 and end August 15.
• If you love us and we love you, we’ll talk about extending the arrangement.
• Our office is located on South Jefferson Ave. in historic South St. Louis.
• This position pays a small stipend.

Top five reasons to consider this position:

1. You’ll learn by doing, and see all phases of our story process first-hand.
2. You’ll gain experience in all types of projects.
3. You’ll have a ton of great work and experience to include in your portfolio or on your resume.
4. You’ll have access to our in-house recording and post-production facilities.
5. You’ll report directly to the principals, and be able to hit them up for wisdom daily.

But don’t take our word for it: here is what some of our former interns had to say about their Act3 experience:

“My internship at Act3 was a really great experience. I was always allowed to work closely with the clients and the principals, even being allowed to drive some design decisions with my own ideas. This sort of experience would be impossible at a bigger firm where each person is more of a number than a person with design intelligence.”

“The great thing about Act3 is that they first establish a clear understanding of a client’s story, and then they choose from a wide variety of media the most appropriate way to convey the story. In other words, the story is not guided or limited by media; it is rather guided by concept. This is ideal for a young designer because technical versatility within visual communication will also allow you, in the future, to be free to focus on a project’s concept. Act3 emphasizes the idea that media is just the means to end, the end being a story told in an effective, creative, and connective way.”

“I was blessed with the opportunity to intern at Act3 because they want you to be better. They won't give you busy work or micro-manage you. They want you to be better in whatever area you’re focused on. Above everything else, they are great people—great people with a good reputation.”

“At Act3, I learned to better collaborate with others on projects—how to make the most of everyone's skills and how to work outside your comfort zone when needed.”

“The guys at Act3 have a keen awareness of the important link between businesses and consumers. They are acutely focused on the story told between both sides. From working at Act3 I now have a stronger appreciation for this connection in the stories I see every day. Whether it’s reading the customer testimonial on my cereal box or the ads in my favorite running magazine, I can think more critically about the story being told and sold to me. This awareness has helped my work in sales to be conscious of the story I convey to each customer.”

"Everyone I met and worked with through Act3 was passionate about their work but didn't let that get in the way of being delightful, courteous people. Everyone was bright and smily (but not creepy and fake) and it was a pleasure to come in to work. If I ever had a problem someone would step up to support me. I know that I wouldn't be able to say that about places I've worked before."

Interested? Send a resume, cover letter/email, and (if applicable) either a PDF portfolio or a URL to a portfolio site to Shawn McGinness at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).