The $3.5 Million Retirement Goal: Are We Ready?

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By 2065, it’s estimated that American’s will need $3.5 million in order to retire.

What if I told you that by 2065, the average American will need $3.5 million to retire?  

It’s a number that feels almost absurd—like something plucked from a dystopian novel rather than a real financial projection. And yet, this is the reality we’re staring down––one that’s forcing us to confront some uncomfortable truths about the future of aging, financial security, and what the word “retirement” means for generations who haven’t even bought their first house yet. 

But more importantly, it raises a critical question: Are we ready? 

Based on data from our recent survey done with our partners at Talker Research, we’ll explore the forces driving this $3.5 million projection––from the emotional and practical implications for those who will be affected to the urgent need for industries to adapt to a future that’s closer than we think.  

Solving this problem isn’t just a financial challenge––one that requires people to save more money or work longer hours––it’s about changing our culture to meet the needs of the next generation where they are.  

But before we start talking about a change in culture, let’s start at the beginning. 

Why $3.5 Million? 

The $3.5 million figure isn’t arbitrary; it’s a reflection of the economic and societal shifts that are already underway. Rising healthcare costs, continued inflation, and longer life expectancies are all contributing to a significant increase from the 1-million-dollar retirement fund estimation that lives as the current status quo. 

To put it in perspective: By 2065, the average household income is expected to reach $508,950—a staggering 536% leap from today’s $80,610. And with costs rising across the board in all directions, the financial demands of retirement will only grow more intense. 

But it’s not just about the numbers. Generational perspectives on retirement are shifting dramatically as well. According to our research, 57% of Gen Z believe retirement won’t even be an option for most people in 40 years.  

The skepticism is fairer than you may think. It stems from a combination of economic uncertainty and a redefinition of what it means to age. For many younger Americans, the traditional idea of retirement—leisurely days in luxury communities, traveling the world—is being replaced by visions of multigenerational living, off-grid retreats, and purpose-driven lifestyles. 

The emotional weight of this figure is undeniable. It’s not just a financial hurdle—it’s a source of anxiety for individuals and families trying to plan for an uncertain future. And it’s a challenge for industries that must adapt to meet these evolving needs. 

Rethinking Retirement: It’s Not Just About the Money 

The $3.5 million goal forces us to ask a deeper question: What does retirement even mean in 2065? For many, it’s no longer about financial freedom alone—it’s about connection, flexibility, and purpose. 

Younger generations are already redefining what their golden years will look like. According to the research, 29% of Gen Z want to live with family to watch future generations grow, while 20% dream of traveling the world and even space. Others envision owning hobby farms (17%), living off the grid (16%), or creating co-living communities with friends (15%). These aspirations reflect a shift in values away from material excess and toward meaningful experiences. 

The shift here is a significant one. Rather than looking at retirement as a defined endpoint, Gen Z views retirement as a more flexible state of financial independence created through continuous work. More importantly, work that doesn’t infringe upon their desires for work-life balance—a priority for more than 70% of Gen Z members, per a recent survey by Randstad. 

Safe to say, many members of the generation don’t see a traditional retirement as a possibility. Instead, they’d rather focus on developing a flexible career path that can help them follow their passions and “live their best life”—a divergence from the standard work structure that many of us have come to know.  

The Industry Perspective: Are We Ready to Adapt? 

The $3.5 million retirement goal isn’t just a challenge for individuals—it’s a wake-up call for industries that serve them. Financial institutions, real estate developers, and policymakers will need to rethink their strategies to address the needs of future retirees. 

For financial institutions, this means moving beyond traditional savings plans. What other services or innovative solutions can be created to help account for longer lifespans and higher costs? Are banks and advisors prepared to guide clients toward this ambitious goal? Are they leveraging technology like AI to provide personalized, adaptive financial planning? More than ever, it’s imperative that banks start working with customers at a younger age to help people prepare for the significant rise in costs set to come in the not-so-distant future. 

The real estate sector will also need to adapt. With 25% of Americans anticipating renting for life, the demand for affordable, flexible housing options will only grow. Co-living communities, multigenerational homes, and sustainable housing solutions could become the norm, but only if the industry is willing to innovate…is it? 

Policymakers, too, have a role to play. Addressing systemic issues like the retirement savings gap, affordable healthcare, and housing accessibility will require bold action and forward-thinking policies. With the rise of AI, will financial literacy become more accessible and standardized? Or do we find ourselves in a situation where the masses are left behind? 

With so much to consider, it’s impossible to know where to start, but we know we need to start now. 

Preparing for the Future: What Comes Next? 

So, what can we do to prepare for a future where $3.5 million is the new retirement benchmark? 

For Individuals: Start planning now. Saving earlier, diversifying investments, and embracing new financial tools can make a significant difference. It’s also important to rethink what retirement means to you—whether it’s about financial freedom, personal growth, or something else entirely, it’s more important than ever to have some vision in mind for your senior years. 

For Industries: Financial institutions and real estate developers will need to innovate their current models now to effectively meet the needs of future retirees. This could mean offering new paths to saving, creating affordable housing solutions, or leveraging technology to provide better services earlier on, when compound interest can still help the younger generations make headway on their $3.5 million target number. 

For Society: A collective shift in how we think about aging and retirement is already in the works. Now it’s just about advancing those values so they work for the up-and-coming working class. Advocating for policies that address systemic challenges and creating a culture that values flexibility, freedom, and purpose over material excess will be key, helping people prioritize happiness over the picket fence storybook ending we’ve grown accustomed to. 

The $3.5 million retirement goal isn’t just a number—it’s a challenge to rethink what retirement means and how we prepare for it. It’s a call to action for individuals, industries, and society as a whole to adapt to a future that’s already taking shape. 

For younger generations, it simply may not be enough to work harder in the system that’s already been built for them—it may require that system to be reconstructed in a way that better serves those who will reap the benefits from it down the line. 

 

 

 

 

 

Young Women Are Getting Richer, and Banks Need to Pay Attention

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A successful, working Gen Z woman

Empowering a New Era: How Banks Must Adapt to the Rising Economic Power of Young Women

The financial landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, with young women at the heart of this transformation. Financial institutions, especially regional and community banks, are facing the new reality that is the burgeoning economic power of Generation Z and millennial women. For smaller regional and community-focused banks, adapting their approach will be critical in this new era where young women are poised to control significant wealth.

Gen Z and Millennial Women: Who Are They?

Understanding Their Demographics

Who exactly are these young women reshaping the financial world? Gen Z women are typically born between 1997 and 2012, while millennials were born between 1981 and 1996. Together, these groups represent a significant portion of the workforce and are rapidly becoming an economic force to be reckoned with. Many are college educated, tech savvy, career focused, and value driven, seeking not only financial stability but also meaning and impact in their investments.

Income and Lifestyle

Gen Z and millennial women have made their impact in corporate America and are increasingly occupying leadership roles in various industries, which translates to higher incomes than in decades and generations past. According to a McKinsey report, women are projected to control $30 trillion in financial assets by the end of the decade. Despite this growing wealth, many of them feel that traditional banking services don’t resonate with their unique needs and aspirations.

Financial Situations and Goals

Unlike their counterparts of previous generations, these young women face unique financial challenges, including student debt and housing affordability. In addition, a growing percentage of them are staying single, with the share of never-married women growing by 20% in the past decade. As a group, they are focused on saving for the future, investing wisely, and making informed financial decisions, but their financial goals often extend beyond mere wealth accumulation to include social responsibility and sustainable investing.

The Great Wealth Transfer and the Feminization of Wealth

What Is the Great Wealth Transfer?

Over the next 20 years, an estimated $80 trillion will change hands as older generations pass on their wealth. As a significant portion of this wealth transfer benefits Gen Z and millennial women and positions them as key financial decision-makers, banks and financial institutions should be ready with a plan to speak to and cultivate this newly wealthy audience.

The Implications for Banks

This monumental shift, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” signifies a crucial opportunity for banks to rethink their strategies. According to a Capgemini survey, only 9% of financial services executives are targeting Gen Z customers. Ignoring this demographic could result in missed opportunities and a failure to capture a loyal customer base.

What Can Banks Do to Better Serve This Demographic?

The Power of Influence(rs)

The good news for banks is that young women are already interested in financial news. A growing number of them are following influencers and online communities focused on financial topics. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are rife with financial advice tailored to their needs — but just because it’s there and popular doesn’t make it good advice. Banks have a built-in credibility that they can and should leverage on these platforms to engage with young women and build trust through authentic, relatable content. The key to connecting with that audience is to not use the same approach that they’ve been using in the past — it has to feel appropriate for the channel first. Anything that comes across too stiff or formal will feel inauthentic and unrelatable, so banks will need to get comfortable with a new approach to content if they want to connect.

An Adjustment in Offered Services

One of the biggest frustrations for Gen Z and millennial women is the lack of tailored financial services. Many banks offer generalized services that don’t address their specific needs, such as managing student debt, financial planning for singles, investing sustainably, or planning for future family life. By offering customized solutions in formats that resonate, banks have the opportunity to foster long-term loyalty with a base that is historically loyal to organizations that they feel a connection with.

Understand Their Needs

Young women often feel misunderstood or unseen by traditional financial institutions. They seek banks that can empathize with their struggles and offer solutions that level the playing field. By conducting user research into their needs, wants, and preferences and by leveraging transaction data, banks can gain deeper insights into the financial behaviors and preferences of young women and can better tailor their products, services, and resources.

Avoid Patronizing at All Costs

Historically, women have felt sidelined and patronized by the financial services industry. For decades, men have been the primary targets of the thinking, messaging, and advertising for most financial institutions and organizations. But with the coming feminization of wealth, it’s time for banks to rethink that approach. How can they do that effectively? By providing non-patronizing, accessible financial planning tools that empower young women to make informed decisions. This means educational resources, user-friendly digital interfaces, and personalized advice that respects their intelligence and ambition as well as their relationship status and how that affects their plans.

A Chance to Build Long-Term Loyalty with a New Base

The economic landscape is evolving, and young women are emerging as powerful financial players. For banks, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. By understanding the unique needs of Gen Z and millennial women and offering tailored services, banks can not only capture this valuable market but also build lasting relationships based on trust and mutual growth.

It’s time for banks to recognize the rising economic influence of young women and adapt their strategies accordingly. Those that do will not only thrive in the current financial ecosystem but will also pave the way for a more inclusive and innovative banking future.

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Find Your Brand’s Strategy with LevLane Advertising

Not sure where to start with your bank’s marketing strategy? We’re here to help. Shoot us a message, tell your story, and we’ll be in touch.

Generation Z Is Desensitized to Digital Advertising: Here’s How Banks Can Still Win Them Over

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Gen Zers on their laptops and other digital devices

Generation Z Is Desensitized to Digital Advertising: Here’s How Banks Can Still Win Them Over

Generation Z represents about 20% of the U.S. population, meaning roughly 70 million Americans are between 12 and 27. However, in a recent survey by Capgemini, only 9% of financial service executives reported that they were actively targeting Gen Z customers with their current marketing strategies.

Is that a missed opportunity?

Considering that 84% of Gen Z plan to own their own business in the next five years, it looks to be that way. But as digital natives who grew up with smartphones and social media by their side, Gen Z has developed a remarkable ability to filter out traditional advertising. So, for banks seeking to capture their attention, a fresh approach is essential — the question is where to start.

Gen Z: What to Know

Their Mindset on Money

Gen Z is entering the financial world at a time of economic uncertainty. From navigating student debt to ongoing worries about inflation, this generation has a lot on its plate. And unlike their parents, they are more cautious about how they’re spending their money, often seeking financial literacy resources and insight on potential investment opportunities.

As the most tech-savvy generation to date, they almost all use digital finance apps like Venmo, PayPal, Vanguard, etc., which offer more spending flexibility than your standard wallet with cash and credit cards. Perhaps most importantly, they value advice on balancing saving, spending, and investing — something they generally go to sources like TikTok and YouTube for.

Their Mindset on Banks

When it comes to banks (or all brands, for that matter), Gen Z is picky about who they align with. They seek transparency, authenticity, and a company that shares their values, often digging into the details of a brand’s recent investments or acts of goodwill to determine their character.

They are less interested in the amenities of traditional banking models, such as in-office visits, personal banking concierges, etc., and are more attracted to fintech solutions that offer seamless digital experiences. In fact, a recent study indicated that 44% of Gen Z who bank with traditional financial institutions have changed their banking relationship in the last 12 months, often opting for mobile-centric services.

Their Interests

This is a generation that values creativity and self-expression. Recent studies show that around 60% of Gen Z engage in some form of artistic hobbies, such as painting, music, or writing, to cope with stress and explore their identities. They even love creative outlets like gaming, with an estimated 80% of the generation actively playing video games alone or with friends (and even their partners!).

However, they are by no means a generation of slouches — more than half of Gen Z is passionate about physical wellness, considering fitness to be a “very high priority” in their weekly routine and overall lifestyle. Brands that tap into these interests and support their creative pursuits can cultivate a strong connection with this demographic.

How to Market to Them

Consume Their Content

To understand what resonates with Gen Z, banks need to immerse themselves in the content the generation consumes. Spend time on platforms like TikTok and Instagram and pay attention to trending topics and popular influencers. Video content, particularly short-form video, is especially effective in capturing their attention.

Show What Your Brand Cares About

Gen Z wants to align themselves with brands that reflect their values. They’re well-known for being perhaps the most socially conscious generation to date. They care deeply about mental health, racial and gender equity, LGBTQ+ rights, and the environment. Moreover, they want the brands they associate themselves with to share those values.

Marketing to them is not just about what you sell but what you stand for. Highlight your bank’s commitment to social responsibility and community support. Whether through sustainability initiatives or supporting mental health awareness, make sure your efforts aren’t just visible and clear but genuine and authentic.

Guide Them

Gen Z craves financial education but doesn’t want to feel lectured. This is an important distinction, as going too far can have the opposite effect and leave them seeking information elsewhere.

Provide them with resources that align with their generational situation. Create engaging content like blog posts, webinars, and social media tips that address their specific financial challenges. Ally Invest, for example, offers an 18-page eBook to help young adults start investing, covering topics from overcoming fears to practical investment tips.

Building Trust Through Authenticity and Engagement

Data-Driven Insights

You probably know how valuable data is to the banking industry — the same applies to your advertising approach. By leveraging quantitative information about your audience, you can create a personalized marketing strategy to home in on the target demographic you’re looking to pursue.

For example, a recent study indicated that this generation has a unique attention pattern, losing their active focus on an ad in 1.3 seconds — less time than any other age group. It’s safe to say that they’ll require a different approach than what traditional advertising offers.

That means your ads need to hook the viewer immediately and maintain that attention throughout. As a result, creating engaging short-form video content (such as the videos that rule TikTok and Instagram) has begun to be the formula for winning them over.

Influencer Partnerships

Influencers play a significant role in shaping Gen Z’s opinions and purchasing decisions — so much so that entire social media trends have been based around following the actions of people with a blue check next to their username.

By partnering with influencers who align with your brand values, you can humanize your bank to an audience that otherwise considers it a very corporate, buttoned-up entity and make it more relatable. Choose influencers who might already be customers of your bank who genuinely believe in your mission and can authentically promote your services.

Omnichannel Approach

You want to avoid pigeonholing yourself to one form of media, and Gen Z expects a seamless experience across all channels.

To effectively engage Gen Z, banks should prioritize channels like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, as these platforms resonate most with their interests and habits. It’s also important to note that timing matters too: Research suggests that evenings, mainly between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., are optimal for reaching Gen Z, as they are more active online during these hours, making it a great time to launch marketing campaigns.

If you want to take it a step further, consider incorporating interactive content such as polls and quizzes into your marketing tools, which can enhance engagement. Whether they interact with your brand on social media, through your mobile app, or in a physical branch, incorporating digital experiences in physical branches, such as self-service tablets and chatbots, can improve their overall experience.

Make Ads That Leave an Impression

With so many differences in lifestyle compared to generations prior, Gen Z presents a unique challenge for banks — but a unique opportunity as well. Their digital prowess and desensitization to traditional advertising force us to look at marketing differently, offering brands a chance to try marketing tactics they have never used before.

No matter what you decide, it’s important to act soon before the moment passes by. So, grab some coffee and prepare to do some research — after all, scrolling through social media ain’t all that bad.

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Find Your Brand’s Strategy with LevLane Advertising

Not sure where to start with your bank’s marketing strategy? We’re here to help. Shoot us a message, tell your story, and we’ll be in touch.

Does Your Company Need A Brand Story? Absolutely.

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  • Brand stories help the consumer to connect with your company on a deeper level
  • Brand stories aren’t about putting the company at the center, it’s about making the consumer the hero and the company the guide
  • Stories work on a deeper psychological level than fact-based marketing

Why Your Business Needs a Brand Story

Have you ever read something that connected with you? Maybe it made you laugh, think, or cry? Hit you right in the feels? About 10 years ago I read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. I still remember reading it years ago and having to put it down multiple times because it was so powerful and so moving, and I was crying so much, I couldn’t see the words on the page. Here I am, many years later and if you ask me about that book I still remember that feeling.

Now let’s think about your company. When someone asks what you do, what do you say? Do you start listing out the problems you solve? The customers you serve? Riveting.

Ask that person what you do a few days later and I’m going to bet they don’t remember, or they misremember what you told them. That’s because when the brain senses that it’s being pitched or sold to, it has a natural cognitive reaction to resist. It pushes back.

Now if we were to relay what you do in a simple, but engaging story format something very different happens. Your brain actually takes that information and claims it as it’s own- as if they found it. That’s because your mind spends 30% of it’s waking time daydreaming– when you work, drive, etc. But when you are watching a movie, reading a great book, or listening to a great story, your brain doesn’t daydream: That story is doing the daydreaming for you. The story has literally taken over the brain.

Stories go beyond a product. They resonate because they’re human. They hit you in the feels.

It’s not a list of features. It’s not telling them how great your company is, all the great things you’ve done, or all the people who love you. It’s about the customer, your hero. Your company is merely the guide or the helper to get the hero to the finish line.

And you don’t have to take my word for it. A recent study shows that when you read stories that evoke emotion, it stimulates the brain and even changes how you act.

What’s a Brand Story?

A company’s brand story isn’t about throwing together a quick persona and then using it in your PowerPoints and explainer videos. It has a narrative that carries through your site, sales pitch, marketing campaigns, brand voice, logo, and branding. It’s using the best elements of writing to develop a storyline that creates a personality customers can connect with.

[Cue the obligatory Apple-Steve Jobs anecdote.]

When Apple re-emerged with the iPod Classic, it was a story. And it wasn’t a story that revolved around Apple or Steve Jobs. It was about the user and their connection to the music and how they made it easier for people to store, access and listen to the music they loved. And while Apple was part of the story, it was a guide, an assistant to get the hero – YOU – closer to your music. Apple has one of the most loyal, – almost to the point of illogical – fan bases. They are part of the fabric of the user’s everyday life. They are not just well-liked, they are BELOVED.

How Do You Create a Brand Story?

Your story should be built around your hero, and that hero isn’t your company. The hero is your customer. And just like in any good story the hero is a well-developed character who experiences a conflict that’s resolved with the help of a guide.

Creating a brand story is an art and a craft. It takes a lot of work, research, and editing. It makes knowing your target audience at a level that goes beyond just the demographics- it goes to psychographics. What does your ideal customer worry about? What are they struggling with? How does that struggle make them feel? Using the best practices from thousands of years of storytelling and creative writing ensures that you have a story that injects personality into your brand- and your personality and story are what your customer connects with.

The Intern Experience

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Colin Dame: Advertising Major, Temple University, Class of 2019

Here at LevLane, helping students prepare for the corporate world through our intern program is something that, as a company, we pride ourselves on. We take their contributions seriously and we welcome the many innovative and fresh ideas they bring to the table. In fact, many of our best and hardest working team members began their careers with us as interns.

Colin Dame has had a similar journey and recently wrote an essay describing what his intern experience has been like with LevLane thus far. So, in his own words, and with his usual quirky spin on things, here is Colin’s intern experience…with a twist.

What Rihanna Taught Me About the Advertising Industry

By: Colin Dame

While earning my bachelor’s degree in Advertising at Temple University I participated in LevLane’s Intern program. For the past two semesters, I have been splitting my time between studying for my degree and learning everything I can about the inner workings of an ad agency.

As you may know, advertising agencies are high-pressure incubators for marketing and creative professionals. What you might not know is that Rihanna totally interned at an ad agency before she started singing. In fact, one of her most popular songs gives deep insight into what it’s like at an agency…well, kind of. I’ve broken down some of those lyrics into lessons any aspiring intern can use in the day-to-day.

The Lyric: You see me I be work, work, work, work, work, work

The Lesson: Ask For More Work

Rihanna gets it! Agency life is about putting in the work, work, work, work, work, work. But even in the slow moments, you need to get the most out of your time as an intern. Tasks run dry? Ask the media department if they need help with some reporting. Recently, I stepped in to help our SEO director with some keyword research, a vital skill for any aspiring content marketer, web developer or social media strategist; not to mention an easy resume builder!

The Lyric: You see me do me dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt

The Lesson: Ask For Help

What you do isn’t dirt! Everything you do is to help your client’s business. But you’re not a seasoned adperson…yet – there’s no reason you should know everything. There have been times when a manager has given me an assignment, and 10 minutes into it, I had no idea what was going on. It’s crucial to ask for clarification. Your supervisors completely understand that agency-talk can be a foreign language to you.

The Lyric: There’s something ’bout that work, work, work, work, work, work

The Lesson: Get Involved Wherever You Can

Agency life includes a lot of different interactions with clients – they are the folks paying you after all! Sitting in on meetings is a great way to better understand business communications in an agency. In meetings, you will learn when to talk, to whom to talk, how to talk, and what to say. Incorporating those fundamentals will take you far in this client-centric world.

The Lyric: When you a gon’ learn, learn, learn, learn, learn, learn

The Lesson: Go Outside Your Department

If you’re lucky enough to work at a full-service agency, you’ll quickly realize that the people there all do very different things. Introduce yourself to someone new every day. Chat with an art director about what their process looks like. Introduce yourself to someone you haven’t met before. If people in the office know your name and know what work you’ve contributed to, you lay the groundwork to making great network connections or a chance to join the agency full-time.

The Lyric: Me na care if me tired, tired, tired, tired, tired, tired

The Lesson: Self-Care is Key

You’re driven. That’s why you’re an intern, right? You want the best possible job out of college because you want to produce the best work. Well, you can’t do that if you’re running on empty with a flat tire. Nix going out 5 nights a week, and go get some sleep! Your future self and career will thank you.

Attach the Attachment

Ok, not a lyric, but it’s so important to be present during this experience. Take each moment one step at a time, and don’t think 6 steps ahead. If you’re sending your supervisor a deliverable, she’s never going to know how beautifully thought out it is if you forget to actually attach the attachment. Proof and edit each assignment with superb detail, and your supervisors will love you for what little work they will need to do to anything you turn in. Trust me, the easier you make their job the happier they’ll be!

Yes, being an intern is a requirement for graduating but if you do it right it can most certainly work to your advantage. A few reminders: do your research, find an internship that is the right fit for you and immerse yourself in any way you can within the company and you will get the most out of your intern program! Hopefully, these tips help you in your journey to become the next top CCO, CMO (or agency intern turned superstar if you decide to follow in Rihanna’s footsteps instead).

LevLaners Show Love to Adoptions From The Heart

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Each November, the walls and doorways of LevLane’s offices start to fill up with purple paper hearts – each one representing a dollar donation made to Adoptions From the Heart during National Adoption Month by a LevLane employee. Eventually, they form a sea of purple, and represent a sizable annual donation to AFTH from the LevLane staffers who donate. This annual tradition was started and is continued each year by VP, Digital Media Director Dan Hall, who’s been with LevLane for 13 years.

1. How and when did you first become aware of or get involved with Adoptions From the Heart?

We became involved through our son Matthew. We adopted Matthew through Adoptions From The Heart in 2010. When we decided to adopt, we looked at a few difference adoption agencies. Adoptions From the Heart seemed the most welcoming…the most open. Unlike some of the other agencies we met with Adoptions From The Heart didn’t care about your religion or your sexual preference. They just want you to provide a happy, healthy homes for children…to be a family. They also stressed the importance of openness between the adoptive parents and the birthmother, which can be scary for new adoptive parents. But we quickly learned how important openness and the adoption story is to the child. We selected Adoptions From the Heart and had a flawless experience. We were very fortunate. Now we have a family.

2. What made you want to support AFTH?

After we adopted Matthew, Adoptions From the Heart sent out a request for volunteer board members. My wife suggested I apply. They helped give me the greatest gift I will ever have in my life, so volunteering was the least I could do.  I applied. They accepted. I help in anyway I can.

3. What do the employee donations for Adoptions From The Heart go towards? 

Donations go to the Adoptions From the Heart Birthmother Fund.  The fund helps women who have had an unplanned pregnancy and are trying to make a tough choice during a difficult time in their life. Adoptions From the Heart provides free advice, counseling and financial support for these women in need.

4. Is it true that the total amount of donations made by LevLane employees each year is among the largest that AFTH receives?

They have many organizations that graciously contribute.  I am proud to say that LevLane is among the top contributors for this fund drive.

5. How does it feel to be the steward for what has become such a large, annual collection effort?

I have personally benefited greatly from the work Adoptions From the Heart does, but most folks in the office have never or will never need or use their services. Yet, they come into my office in droves with their hard-earned cash in hand willing to help out. It always warms my cold, black heart.

Here’s how to get the most from your agency internship

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Gina Turdo, Public Relations Major, Rowan University Class of 2015

Gina Turdo, Public Relations Major, Rowan University Class of 2015

Two-term LevLane intern offers five top tips

Six months ago, I walked into LevLane as a public relations intern with little office experience, and not a clue of what to expect. For two semesters, I sat at the front desk in LevLane’s lobby greeting clients, helping them to their meetings, and feeling my heart sink when I could not match a face to the name of the colleague that the client was in to see. The frantic feeling quickly faded and my confidence grew as I began to work and interact more with my new co-workers.

My internship at LevLane has taught me about the industry I’m pursuing, what to expect from PR life inside an advertising agency, and most importantly, what is expected from me. My activities ranged from checking in dozens of media members at a big event, to contributing to blog posts and press releases, to sitting in on client calls and brainstorming meetings.

As terrifying as my first few months may have been, I now see what a gratifying opportunity it has been to watch such a successful integrated agency operate. In my final days at LevLane, I have been asked to share my top five intern tips, so that they might benefit other interns to follow:

Smile

As an intern you’re not supposed to know what to expect, and with that will always come nerves and uncertainty. No matter how unsure you are of yourself or your surroundings, a confident smile will always be the best way to smooth over any uncertainties that you may be experiencing.

Be prepared

From having multiple copies of your resume available when you arrive for your interview (trust me, you never how many people you will end up interviewing with), to always having pen and paper handy in case of being called into a meeting, being ready means you have it together. A trustworthy intern is never scrambling or unorganized, and although none of us start out like this, it should be your goal to leave this way.

Prove yourself

You have landed an internship, and you are right where you want to be – now it’s time to work. Intern work may seem mundane and unimportant, but in the grand scheme of things, intern tasks are often foundational layers for the work that comes next. Completing these tasks in an efficient and timely manner will not only prove your worth, it will improve the work and outcome for the agency. These experiences will also serve as great practice for you as a PR professional. Landing an internship alone does not prepare you for what may lie ahead, but presents you with an opportunity to immerse yourself in every task and to learn as much as possible.

Open up

Feeling like the lowest man on the totem pole will never be fun, but it’s easier if you open up to the people around you. There is nothing wrong with asking for help if you don’t understand something, and there is great reward in having the courage to respectfully add your input once you’re comfortable. Getting involved and reaching out to others is the absolute best way to break out of your comfort zone and form professional relationships – and even new friendships – along the way.

Learn and grow

Your internship will give you the opportunity to dive head first into an industry that you love, and will serve as a way for you to gain valuable experience you can’t get in a classroom. How much you absorb while you’re immersed in this world is completely up to you. Within this learning period, you have a unique opportunity to learn about yourself; take advantage of it. The experience will allow you to figure out what you like and what you don’t, who you are as a worker among others, and the truth about your shortcomings juxtaposed directly against your strengths. An internship does not just fulfill a credit requirement, or hold a place on your resume; an internship rubs your rough edges smooth, instills a new air of confidence, and helps you evolve into a professional who’s ready for anything.

By Gina Turdo, Public Relations Major, Rowan University Class of 2015