Meet Brownthought Academy’s Class of 2022: Anjenica Ramos
Brownthought Academy is a marketing bootcamp / 5-month internship program from Kultivate Labs. Through their specific roles, interns have the unique opportunity to learn about digital marketing through campaigns for cultural and community-centric projects. The program was inspired by Marco Jastillana (1976 - 2020), our late friend, marketing mastermind, and co-founder of UNDSCVRD Night Market and Plinth Agency. A talented visionary, Brownthought Academy was founded to honor his memory to uplift the next generation of thought leaders and change makers.
In its second year, Brownthought Academy welcomed 4 talented new interns - becoming the first cohort to hold specific roles. As the Web Intern, Anjenica “Nikki” Ramos designed easy-to-navigate webpages and applications for Kultivate Labs’ various programs. Through her thoughtful creative process, Nikki has ensured users get information about events/opportunities in the most accessible and practical way possible. Below she reflects on post-grad life, navigating new processes, and growing as a UX designer through Brownthought Academy.
“This internship has shed light on the kind of mark I’d want to leave as a designer and the kind of company/team I’d like to work in. Being surrounded by talented creatives in a variety of areas who are all very unapologetically themselves and seeing it in action opened my eyes.”
— Nikki on what she learned as a Web Intern
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at Brownthought Academy?
Hi y’all, I’m Anjenica Celine Ramos, but you can call me Nikki. I’m a UX designer and have been Brownthought Academy Web Intern for the past five months, where I’ve collaborated with my co-interns and leads for Kapwa Gardens, SEED Network, Balay Kreative, and Kultivate Labs overall. I graduated from UCLA in 2021, where I studied Cognitive Science and Digital Humanities. When I’m not working, I’m petting a cat, taking a walk, or updating my skincare spreadsheet.
What made you decide to apply for the internship?
The universe aligning, just kidding, but also not. I happened to come across an ad for last year’s UNDSCVRD in the Fall (thanks to Marketing Manager and future supervisor Kaithleen), right when I was moving back from my college town and my previous role concluded. At the time, I was reeling in on my career interests to work in tech roles with social impact and was seeking a community for myself amid post-grad life changes. I volunteered to be event staff, and was really excited with even just the fraction of, what I didn’t fully know then, was Kultivate’s work in action. From there, I stayed in touch online until the Brownthought opening came up, and here we are!
What has been your favorite project/campaign that you worked on?
Hard to choose, and most projects are still ongoing at the time of writing this, so I’ll say working on the Balay Kreative’s 2022 grant (webpage and app) because of the challenge and growth opportunity it presented. At the time, Balay’s lead, Nicole, had to begin maternity leave early, and the team had a short turnaround time before its launch. This encouraged us interns to lean on each other and surrounding staff to piece together information provided and coordinate our efforts as we went.
For me, this was a learning experience on how I can shortcut and prove, yes (!), I can indeed un-complicate my own processes, which was necessary to learn. In a wider sense, I also honed in on how the collective response to a situation shapes the outcome. With the team being driven, wanting to do their best and support one another, despite the initial uncertainties, we were able to make it happen and bond in the process.
Snippets of Nikki’s web design for Balay Kreative’s 2022 Grants.
What were some challenges that you faced in your role?
Ooh, I’d say that the challenges I came across regarded my own approach to simultaneous projects and growing pains (in a good way!). Since our cohort was the first with focused positions, what being the “web” or “copy”, etc. intern in-practice was open-ended. It was a lot of navigating in-depth learning *as* you needed to apply it and internal processes about each program, from their varied offerings and schedules to coordination styles.
I became cognizant of when my own project management and perfectionism were getting in the way. My previous roles, which I held for 2+ years, or various projects generally done in a student context, have definitely shaped my work style, but it’s time to stretch and adapt, on-going formative years and all.
Brownthought Academy’s Spring 2022 Cohort (from left: Jada Montez, Nikki Ramos, Gianna Dolor, Chloe Samillano)
How was it like being in a cohort and working with your fellow interns?
A GRAND ole’ time, in short. I’m really thankful I got to work alongside such lovely and talented co-interns who are amazing at their respective crafts. Going about this internship as a shared experience, having the opportunity to bond, exchange ideas, and root for one another, has been a constant highlight. Though Brownthought surely brought us together (and geographic proximity keeps us apart </3), I definitely get the sense that we’ll keep supporting one another even after this internship concludes.
How was it like to be part of the Kultivate Labs family?
I would like to start off by saying that, entering the workforce amid this pandemic and “The Great Resignation,” stating you’re a part of any company’s family would be a red flag, BUT Kultivate Labs and the wonderful team behind it are very much, indeed, a family that’s welcomed us. It’s changed the game in terms of perceiving what a supportive team dynamic and innovative environment could be because it’s demonstrated before you. Everyone wears many hats, yes, and the hustle is real, but they’re also armed with their vision of the future and grace for the present. It’s the norm to adapt as changes arise and accommodate the needs of the team. As interns, we were also encouraged to voice our ideas and take part in discussions, which is always nice.
Overall, what would you say you learned from the internship? How do you see yourself applying these skills moving forward?
This internship has shed light on the kind of mark I’d want to leave as a designer and the kind of company/team I’d like to work in. I can list skills (project management, UX writing, Squarespace commerce), because I do learn by doing, but I think the perspective shift was most key. As someone who was internally artsy, but didn’t really have that mirrored in my environment in terms of my social circles and formal education, being surrounded by talented creatives in a variety of areas who are all very unapologetically themselves and seeing it in action opened my eyes. I’m definitely bringing this into my next spaces and future employment, which…… I’ll have this statement edited with more details when I share that.
Any advice for future Brownthought interns? Or for those thinking of applying?
In list form because I’ll give you one easy text block to read as a prize for getting through this post, some of which are just direct quotes from cool people you’ll hopefully get to meet in this program:
Do the thing! Apply, pitch the idea, ask the questions, try the new uncomfortable thing, initiate the conversation, etc.
“It’s better to make a living over a final thing.” - Rachel Palad (Product Marketing workshop) In other words, for my perfectionist or procrastinating folks out there, turn in the draft, ask for feedback, give updates.
“Assume your managers are busier than you.” - Aaron Orcino (manager busier than you; Meeting Notes workshop) Meaning: maximize your time together, be direct with what you need, write things down, ask timely questions/know your audience.
“We are the story and the storytellers.” - Marissa Macayan… unless she was quoting someone else, but not according to Google (Kapwa Gardens manager, Website Design meeting). What you’re doing, your ideas, your perspective matters, and influences the conversation. For one, the permanent internet, keep that in mind, but, overall, know you have a large stake in how [something] is conveyed and acted on, so make it count.
Enjoyed reading about Nikki’s experience? Connect with her through her social platforms below!
