Cork Tree Creative Welcomes Four Summer Interns

Cork Tree Creative Inc., an award-winning marketing firm, announces the start of four new interns: McKenzie Parish, Ella Reed, McKinley Saffel and Taylor Sparks.

Parish, a senior from Staunton, IL, is in her final semester at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art & Design with a concentration in graphic design. A dedicated member of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) student chapter at SIUE, Parish will also be joining their Friends of Art program as a graphic design intern this fall. After graduation, she plans to build a career in packaging and branding at a creative agency, helping companies develop impactful visual identities.

Reed, a sophomore from Edwardsville, IL, is pursuing a graphic design major at Illinois State University. Eager to expand her skills, Reed hopes to gain valuable experience during her time at Cork Tree Creative. After completing her studies, she aims to pursue a career in graphic design within the marketing industry, where she can contribute to compelling and strategic brand communications.

Saffel, a sophomore from Marine, IL, is currently studying visual communications at Northern Illinois University. Having already gained valuable experience through the Running Start Program at Southwestern Illinois College, Saffel is excited to continue developing her design skills and expand her professional portfolio. Upon graduation, she hopes to bring her creative vision to life as a graphic designer.

Sparks, a senior from Belleville, IL, is pursuing a business administration degree with concentrations in marketing and entrepreneurship, along with a minor in graphic design at SIUE. A member of both the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Society of Leadership & Success, Sparks is focused on professional growth. She looks forward to working on diverse projects and team collaboration during her time at Cork Tree.

“We are so excited to welcome our new interns to the team. Our internship program provides students with the necessary tools and experience to enhance their professional development through team collaboration and hands-on experience. We are thrilled to see how their determination and creativity will help them thrive in our environment at Cork Tree,” said Laura Reed, co-owner and chief marketing officer.