Hallmark Internships make Top 10 List

Our internship program was recognized by Vault.com as one of the top 10 "most unusual" internship programs.

Hmmm... "most unusual" is a compliment, right?

YES! Keep in mind the diversity of internships we offer.... from engineering to design.

The criteria used to select which companies made the Vault.com's Top 10 Internships list was:

Pay and perks
Because so many internships are unpaid, compensation definitely makes a difference. That doesn’t just mean cash, though: positions that offer interns housing, transportation and access to exclusive events are a huge plus as well.

On the job
The more engaging hands-on work and mentorship opportunities a program offers, the better. So when picking the Top 10 candidates, we choose positions that will enable interns to take their experience out into the postgraduate world by giving them a taste of full-time experience as well as networking opportunities.

Looking forward
Internships are meant to prepare students and recent grads for the future, whether by allowing them to try out different industries or narrow their focus to one. Job placement—the offer rate to interns for full-time jobs—was a factor. Also important: what we call “resume radiance,” a line on the resume that will impress future employers. A big name on your resume can propel you forward in any industry.

So to make the "Most Unusual" list the Vault.com looked at what internships offered unique experiences to their participants that couldn't be found anywhere else, while still maintaining the quality of pay, perks, on-the-job experience and job placement, etc. that they expect from all of their top 10 internships.

YAY! We're unusual -- and not in that creepy neighbor sort of way!

Click HERE for the full list of all those honored.

And I guess sometimes our interns could be considered "unusual..."

A5 // Design Awards Gala and Exhibition

With over 500 members in the Kansas City Metro, AIGA Kansas City will be hosting their annual Design Awards Gala and Exhibition on Saturday January 24th. A5 will celebrate the best KC designers, firms, students, and teachers of 2008. This event is designed to appeal to all 5 senses, the 5 senses we use every day: sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste.

This year, the innumerable entries were judged by some tough critics, including Stanley Hainsworth (former Creative Director for Lego, Nike, and Starbucks, and Founder of Tether, Inc. in Seattle, WA), Pum Lefebure (Co-founder and Design Director at Design Army in Washington D.C., and Alan Leusink (of Duffy & Partners in Minneapolis, MN).

The cool, refreshing cocktail. The savory, delectable hors d’oeuvre. The sweetness of the well-deserved victory. It’s time to taste it all — at this year's A5 Gala and Exhibition. Come join us!

Pixel Awards.

Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that last night Barack Obama became president elect. The voter turn out in Mo was amazing. And, speaking of voting... the Shoebox Blog just won the "2008 Peoples Champ Award" over at Media Temple's Pixel Awards. Out of thousands of nominees, Shoebox came in first. Great job guys, you earned it. Thank you readers and everyone who voted for them.

Holla!, Josh

100 Best Companies for Working Mothers :: 2008 List

Hallmark is officially one of the best companies in America for working mothers. That’s the conclusion of Working Mother magazine, which named Hallmark to its 100 Best Companies list for 2008.

The list recognizes companies nationwide that are “leading by example, giving women the programs, choices and support they need to shine at work and at home.”

Now, I'm not a mom yet, but I hope to be some day (a long, long time from now...). I also have a lot of friends here at Hallmark who are moms. For all the mothers here, and for potential future mothers, it is empowering to work for a company that supports family and work/life balance.

Here are some quick facts about Hallmark's benefits for working mothers, and you can click here to read more about Hallmark and the other 99 2008 winners.

Quick Facts
-31,412 total employees (nationwide; approx. 5,000 at KC World Headquarters); 25,951 women (nationwide; no data on number of women at KC World Headquarters)
-57% Women among top earners (nationwide); 1,162 women managers/executives (nationwide)
-Hallmark was the only Kansas City-based company honored on the 100 Best Companies for Working Moms list
-While based on the business needs of each area, Hallmark’s policies support flexible work hours, job sharing, telecommuting, voluntary time off and leaves of absence for all employees
-All employees can take advantage of many family-friendly programs and learning opportunities, strong healthcare benefits, and generous paid time off

Award-winning work!

Check out the 2008 Channel Frederator Awards!



Some very talented students and professors (who have become great friends of mine) produced and created the winning Cartoon of the Year Fumi and the Bad Luck Foot. Y'all make me proud!