February 04, 2010
Progressive Insurance Internship
Presented by Kristen Rogers
Allie Retter = 2009 Intern
Attendees: Bethany, Allie, Bailey, Julie
Monday afternoon as a possibility for those interested in the internship to visit the Progressive Art Collection
Applications due before end of February
Interviews will begin at the beginning of March
30 + years Progressive has been collecting art
- began with Peter B. Lewis. Though he is not as involved any longer, his philosophy drives the collection. Art has nothing to do with financial investment, it was more driven to make Progressive a unique place to work.
- Underscore the innovation of Progressive (outside the box) through contemporary art
- Collection grew with company - more than 7,000 objects
- Toby Lewis early curator of the collection
Art collection creates cultural sensitivity through awareness and dialogue that boosts the company
When Peter started the collection while CEO, then passed on the curatorial duties to Toby (responsible for ~5,000 works in the collection). She retired in 2004.
Warhol, Portrait of Mao
- Even today the work is controversial
- Purchased in the late 70s (during the Cold War)
- Petition within Progressive to have it removed
* Not everything in the collection is so controversial, but it is all provocative (though visually only)
Diverse collection - American and International
In the 90s installation art became popular and coincided with expansion of the company
- Cleveland (and Austen, Phoenix, Colorado Springs etc.) have call centers with site specific installations
- Shows are curated and start in Cleveland then travel to these other call centers
Started with print collection, gradually added painting, drawings and other media.
In the 90s began to collect installation art
Today the collection is aggressive in collection of video art
Reinvention in Post-Toby era
- create a robust education program - use the art for more than buying and hanging with a wall label
- Revamp labels to appeal to larger audience, but still try to avoid single monolithic approach to artwork
- Interns contribute to writing of these wall labels
Can be your own original work
Attempt for creativity
Communication skills (writing and VERBAL)
Art tours occur all the time
- Interns need to conduct these tours
- For people inside and outside of the company
Variety of projects underway at this time within the company
- Opportunities to do more with the art than simply hang it on the walls
- Interns support this involvement with other aspects of the company
Collection available online
progressiveartcollection.com
- Interns can be involved in adding to / creating sites
- Attempts to promote the company through the internet
Shows
- To go along with products and services
- Education about social issues
Application Process
jobs.progressive.com
All done online (download resume and letter through website)
- Can include references on resume, but that generally comes later
Click on box labeled "Search Jobs" > type "art" into the search box
Posting available in the next couple of days
Departmental Internship
Paid - $10/ hr
- Often graduates that do not yet have a job
Academic Internship
- Unpaid
- Through an academic institution for credit (*required)
Both run along semester
- 192 hours (and no more - unless exception made for academic intern in case of an ongoing project) that start from day one and accumulate
- 2 Academic and 2 Departmental interns hired over the course of the year (lasts over the time it takes you to finish 192 hours)
- Preferred minimum is 2 full (8 hours) days per week
- Can do full time for 3 weeks to complete the 192 hours
-- Does not have to fall into a specified time period (flexible)
- All 4 internships expire by December and usually run 2 at a time
All digital - there will be hundreds applying
- Work with Kelly Anderson (recruiter) who will go through applicants
- Narrows down to 20 phone interviews - done by Kelly - around half an hour long (be prepared for "STAR" Performer questions - look up online)
IE: "Name a situation in which you were stressed. Explain the
cirucumstances and how you reacted."
- 10 will undergo face to face interview
- 4 selected AT ONE TIME (run full course of the year) and then time-line divided
--- Can be hired in March and hired for Sept - Dec.
Tasks:
- Small department that manages large collection, so EVERYONE does important to menial tasks
- Can manage or assist in projects
- Tours of galleries
- Create website
- Write labels
- Interact with artists
- Hang shows
- Many roles in the department, most aligned to general art collections
- Position unique to corporate setting = Regional Art Manager = analyzes where art can be placed in corporate buildings and sends art to these places
- Attempts made to emphasize experiences that align with candidates' skills and interests
- Try right away to pair skill set to task within the company
- Build in shadow days into the internship so that intern can learn all sorts of jobs
* Internship is NOT about busywork
Department consists of 5-7 people (dependent on the number of interns working at any given time)
- Office at Mayfield Village
Paid position - $ every two weeks (on payroll)
Progressive has "Post with a Q" (Qualified candidate already named) - meaning that the job posting went up b/c required, but someone is already in place to take the job.
-- There are no "Q"s for this period, though there are some from last year that are on the radar, but no guarantee that those people will apply and they are not shoe-ins for the positions.
**Expect full and thorough (maybe two) background check(s)!!!
Email Kristen Rogers with any additional questions:
KRogers3@progressive.com
440-395-3087
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