Over 65 internship: Too Young To Feed The Birds

In January 2017, we were looking for an intern - minimum age 65. Our reasoning: Diversity is one of the most important drivers of creative teams. So why should an advertising agency only consist of digital natives? The media response was great - we didn't expect that. But the many exciting, creative and high-quality applications also exceeded our expectations.

Internships in advertising agencies are in high demand and represent valuable experience for both employees and employers. We also offer an internship in consulting every year. At the beginning of 2017, we tried an unusual experiment: with the short video #TooYoungToFeedTheBirds, we were looking for active pensioners who were young at heart - minimum age 65. We were looking for people who would like to gain new experience in a young creative team. We deliberately distributed the job advertisement via digital channels in order to make an initial pre-selection.

The interest far exceeded our expectations. The applications submitted shone with exciting CVs. The oldest applicant was 78 years young. In the end, the choice fell on Livio Arfini, the soon-to-be 69-year-old former Chief Learning Officer of Manor AG. He then became a permanent member of the Rocket crew for three months from March to May 2017.

Livio has been firmly involved in various customer projects since day one. He immediately took the lead on a project for the 65+ target group and implemented various measures together with our apprentice graphic designer, who is 50 years younger. He is actively involved in brainstorming, conception and implementation.

One thing quickly became clear: the experiment was worthwhile. The former oldest intern in Switzerland will remain with the Rocket crew after his internship.

Why does Rocket offer an over 65 internship?

Marketing departments and advertising agencies fill their internship positions almost exclusively with digital natives, young people under the age of 30 who take the plunge into the coveted communications industry straight from university or vocational training. Employers are looking for creativity, motivation, a thirst for knowledge and much more from these young people. There seems to be a general belief that only young people fit into a young team. But is this really true? Aren't older people at least as inquisitive, creative and motivated? Rocket is looking for an answer to these questions.