Summer Practicum at Major Tom

Jake Montague / Major Tom / Junior Design Intern

A few years ago, I was introduced to Geoff Ravenor, who was creative director at Major Tom, a marketing and design agency located in Vancouver. I kept in touch with him, hoping that an opportunity might come up for me to join their team in some capacity, whether that be an internship or something post-graduation. Flash forward to the end of my winter 2026 semester, I reached out to Geoff to see if any practicum opportunities might be available with the company. I’m very grateful that there was, because it led me to an experience that exceeded all my expectations.

I worked with Major Tom in May and June of 2026, and was brought on with the prestigious title of “Junior Design Intern”. Major Tom used to be much larger, with 4 offices across Canada and the US. Now, they’re almost entirely remote, with only the Vancouver office remaining and the rest of the employees working fully remote. I was lucky that the Vancouver office was still available to me, as I got to set my weeks up in a hybrid schedule, where I experienced both the laid back lifestyle of working from home and the high energy counterpart of working downtown. My days at home were about 2.5 hours shorter on commute alone, and I also didn’t have to wake up at 6 am. However, experiencing work life in Yaletown, being in the city for the World Cup, and getting the chance to work face to face with my peers on those days in person made the trip downtown worth every minute. As a full-time employee, I would absolutely love to work a hybrid schedule like this. I found a balance that suited both my work and home life. Working from home gave me extra time in my day and a quieter environment to focus, while my days in the office reinforced how valuable it is to collaborate in person and experience the atmosphere of working in the city. Each environment had its own advantages but together created a work routine that kept me productive and excited to come to work.

As for the actual work that I did at Major Tom, I worked alongside the creative team on a variety of client projects, including logo concepts, moodboards, brand guidelines, and other design assets. I also had the opportunity to shadow Geoff, attend client meetings for projects both large and small, and collaborate closely with the rest of the team (even if it was online or they were across the country). Beyond the work itself, I connected with so many incredible people. The team was welcoming from day one and showed me the kind of supportive, collaborative culture I hope to find throughout my career. I quickly felt like a valued member of the team, which made saying goodbye especially difficult.

One piece of advice I would give to anyone starting an internship or a new role is to be available and willing to try new things, even if they’re outside your comfort zone. It’s important to know your limits, but don’t be afraid to take on unfamiliar tasks and learn new skills. Some of the tasks I was assigned were completely new to me, but putting in the effort to figure them out was rewarding. During my final meeting, the team told me they had noticed my willingness to learn and mentioned that it isn’t something they see very often anymore. That is something that can stand out in any work setting.

Major Tom’s mission is to find clarity in chaos, and I think that perfectly reflects my experience there. The creative industry is full of constant change, but finding a team that supports you and a role that fits your working style makes all the difference. I was lucky to have found that during my practicum, and it has set a standard for the kind of environment I hope to be part of throughout my career.

https://www.majortom.com/