Our 2025 Summer Interns Say Farewell to UpHouse!

Ryan DeGroot – Video Production Assistant

There hasn’t been a single day at UpHouse that I haven’t learned something new and valuable. Every day here is different and has me engaged, invested and excited to come to work. I was able to learn smoothly with the guidance of so many amazing and talented UpHousers who constantly went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable, confident and involved. 

My favourite project that I was able to be a part of was the advertisement shoot for Brett Young. I was able to go out of my comfort zone and be on the set of my first ever professional shoot working as the Production Assistant which had so many fun and exciting challenges as well as rewards. Everyone doing their individual parts to make the project flow was one of the most fascinating things to witness, let alone be a part of! 

Coming from someone who has a background in Media and Communications, specializing as a Video Production Assistant here at UpHouse has exceeded all of my best expectations. Whether it was working at my desk or working on the set of our client’s campaigns, there was almost never a time where I wasn’t enjoying my work. This has by far been one of the most exciting and valuable paths my career has taken me on! 

Angel Delos Santos – Marketing / Digital Marketing Assistant

Oh, UpHouse—my first beloved internship. If I could do it all over again, you’d still be my top pick. 

My time at UpHouse was a mix of creativity, collaboration and unexpected “Wait… why is our ad targeting grandparents instead of 20 year olds?” moments. I was boosting a client’s post when I realized a tiny setting in Ads Manager had quietly shifted the audience. Isn’t it wild how one small button can alter the story you’re trying to tell? That moment sparked a deeper interest in digital media for me. 

I began working with campaign metrics and analyzing performance data to understand trends. I boosted posts with specific targeting in mind and saw the payoff when outcomes matched the strategy. I learned to write reports breaking down performance patterns, platform metrics and the strategies that worked—and those that didn’t. I discovered I’m motivated by seeing ideas turn into measurable results.  

I also saw the full scope of marketing. I sat in on client meetings, joined internal communications, and watched ideas evolve into tangible campaigns. An experience I’ll take with me was leading a project: onboarding a freelancer, organizing timelines and assets and keeping communication flowing. It was a crash course in project management and a confidence boost to see a project move forward because I helped steer it. 

This was all thanks to the people of UpHouse—thoughtful, creative minds who approach every project with curiosity and collaboration. As I head into my third year at the Asper School of Business, I’ll be cheering for UpHouse. And if I spot a project I helped coordinate out in the wild, a campaign video I once saw filmed, or a monthly dump on socials, I’ll feel the pride of knowing that, in the summer of 2025, I was part of UpHouse. 

Hannah McLandress – Copywriting & Communications Assistant

I have loved every minute of my time as an intern at UpHouse! Having the opportunity to work with fun and cool folks on fun and cool projects? Talk about a win-win. The whole team welcomed me right away, throwing me into projects and pulling me into brainstorms so that by the end of my first week, I felt more like a coworker than a student.

As a hybrid/unicorn Copywriting & Communications Assistant, I had the opportunity to be a part of projects from multiple angles, the most memorable being CGLCC's Do Business, Differently campaign. Countless social copy decks, newsletter e-blasts and profile pieces later, I grew strangely attached to this project and was sad to see it go. It was so interesting to see, on a macro and micro level, how each piece of a campaign strategy fits together to create something impactful. 

I had so many special opportunities this summer, from sitting in on board meetings with Travel Manitoba discussing wildfire messaging to participating in activations as a DrinkSense ambassador. It was so interesting to see how broad agency life can be! 

UpHouse gave me my first experience of seeing my work out in the "real world," which was so motivating and gave everything I learned in school more context and impact. I'm heading back to school a better writer and proofer and with a lot more confidence in myself. Thanks, UpHouse! <3 

Nina Baty – Marketing Assistant

And just like that I’m writing my wrap up blog! This summer placement flew by, but at the same time I feel like I really settled into my place at UpHouse — which makes saying goodbye bittersweet. I came into this work placement interested in marketing but not quite sure where I wanted to land in the future, and I’m so glad I was able to gain such diverse experience in just four months. 

It was so special to me to work on some of the purpose-driven projects that UpHouse takes on, like UFCW’s Let’s Be Blunt campaign and CGLCC’s Do Business Differently animated video series. I also got to experience so many other facets of UpHouse, being pulled into video shoots to see the behind-the-scenes action, joining brainstorms to flex my creative muscles, and even getting a taste of influencer marketing while putting together PR boxes. 

I felt the trust, support, and belief the UpHouse team had in me, and felt so lucky to be able to contribute in bigger ways than I expected. A highlight for me was working on DrinkSense projects — from copy writing to planning activations at Manitoba’s biggest summer events to seeing all the coordination that goes into a photoshoot. As someone who loves exploring local food and drink, being involved in DrinkSense’s Mocktail Week was a dream.

Thanks for having me, UpHouse, I miss it already! 

Kendall Tanner – People and Ops & Business Development Assistant

My nerves were skyrocketing when I stepped off the elevator my first day at UpHouse. But, within thirty minutes, I had been shown around the office and was sitting at my desk already getting started on work.  

Research projects, daily office organization and miscellaneous tasks quickly filled up my time. Within my first week I was joining the team at the University of Winnipeg for the Ultimate Unified Games hosted by Special Olympics Manitoba. In the office or out, the UpHouse team is always supportive and radiating positivity.  

Never would I have expected to have my first co-op work term at such an inclusive, supportive and diverse organization. Having not only the support but the trust of my superiors gave me the space to take on multiple projects, taking a leadership role in our Pride Parade planning and assisting in other project management tasks. 

UpHouse has given me the space to grow—both as a person and in my role—but overall, the people of UpHouse have made my internship experience the most memorable. Lunch breaks around the dining room table dishing about everything and anything—from weekend plans to politics.   

The UpHouse team is comprised of such passionate, creative and hard-working individuals. I am truly grateful for the UpHouse gilly gang <3 

Chrstine Ha – IT Coordinator

My summer as the first IT intern at UpHouse has been one of the best, challenging and rewarding co-op work experience I’ve had. On my fourth day, I deleted someone’s pitch deck without confirming that they saved it. (At least I didn’t delete the whole database LOL JK!) Sorry Brenlee!

Now, looking back I was super green and tried to help before investigating. My advice to new interns is to come in confident in what you’ve learned in school but also be ready to not know anything and that’s ok! I have learned so much from desktop support, networking, working on projects and learning about new technologies for marketing and building trusting relationships with everyone at UpHouse.

I’ll be sticking around for a little longer and still have so much to learn but I am super excited to become a Mac expert ha-ha! (99 percent of IT professionals hate Apple but I LOVE IT.) I want to thank by buddy Paula for guiding me through everything this summer, she is the best mentor and best buddy anyone could ever ask for!