Golin Selects First-Ever Untern to Gain Experience Beyond the Cubicle

CHICAGO, March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Wrestling alligators. Living with the Amish. Building houses for the homeless. These may sound like bucket list items but they may in fact lead to winning in the workplace. Golin, a leading-edge global communications firm, today announced Akinbola Richardson as the winner of its inaugural Golin Unternship, an unconventional internship program allowing one college graduate to get paid to take on real world experiences outside the confines of the office. After a summer filled with new perspectives, Richardson will begin work in the Golin office of his choice in North America where he will apply his newly acquired insights to Golin's culture and client work.

In his winning submission, Richardson, a senior at Howard University, mesmerized the agency with his bold Unternship idea to gain new perspectives on cultures and societies while living with the Amish, teaching American Indians and helping the homeless. He also hopes to face his fears through alligator wrestling, bull riding and skiing a volcano. 

As chronicled in Golin CEO Fred Cook's recent book, Improvise: Unconventional Career Advice from an Unlikely CEO, the unconventional nature of Cook's life experiences and unusual career path – pool hustler, chauffeur, tour guide, rock band agent and doorman, to name a few – played a critical role in developing the agency's new approach to finding Millennial talent.  

"The Unternship challenges any predisposed notions about how we recruit Millennials," said Cook. "Our goal was to find an enterprising intern who lives and breathes the company's mantra 'Go All In.' With Akinbola, I think we've done just that."

As part of the nationwide search, the top three finalists were flown to Chicago for interviews with the leadership team. In a plot twist, each candidate was surprised with an afternoon exercise to test his or her improvisational skills. Equipped with $40 in cash, the finalists were given a bold challenge to spend the next two hours having an "unlikely experience" in the windy city. Upon their return, each candidate had only 30 minutes to prepare a memorable presentation for a host of Golin team members.

Watch the candidates' unlikely Chicago experiences: The Golin Unternship

"Akin showed incredible bravery in his interviews and final presentation," said Cook. "We believe he has an opportunity of a lifetime and in return, Golin will be rewarded with a new employee who is equipped with deeper insights and the ability to improvise."

Starting June 1, Richardson will be paid to spend the summer on his unconventional adventure, sharing real-time insights with Golin and others via videos, blogs and social media. After three months, Richardson will return to a full-time, paid position at Golin.

"I believe the Unternship will broaden my perspectives on my life and also on the world. Clearly, college is a pre-requisite for most jobs, but education about life is paramount," said Richardson. "I think the Golin Unternship will not only help me think outside the box but it will help me create new ones. I know I will develop new skills I will take straight to Golin."

Golin is working to expand the program internationally, including Europe and Asia.

Learn more about the Unternship from Fred Cook himself: https://vimeo.com/108380038 

Follow Golin and Akinbola as he embarks on his Unternship via www.golin.com/unternship, on Golin's global Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram channels and #GolinUntern and #GoAllIn.

About Golin

Golin is a global communications firm with 50 offices around the world. Golin recently rebranded from GolinHarris to reflect the evolution of the brand and its commitment to "Go All In" for clients and employees. For almost 60 years, it has been committed to delivering the deepest insights, boldest ideas and broadest engagement to the world's leading brands through seamless integrated communications. McDonald's, Unilever, Toyota and Nintendo of America are just a few of the brands the agency represents. Within its revolutionary g4 model, specialist communities use proprietary tools to plan and execute powerful campaigns designed to create positive change for clients. Golin is a member of Interpublic Group IPG. Learn more at www.golin.com.

Media Contact:
Annie Fileta
afileta@golin.com
212.272.6064

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SOURCE Golin