My unforgettable two weeks at Laika’s Cologne satellite and Berlin spaceship

By Nele Nonn

Hey space explorers,

I am Nele, a 15-year-old student from Cologne. In my daily life, I attend the Dellbrückermauspfad comprehensive school, and in my free time, I usually hang out with friends or pursue my passion for drawing. I am a big fan of good food, especially sushi and Italian cuisine.

But my appreciation for good food wasn't what led me to Laika— although the crew there certainly enjoys good lunches and tasty snacks. Instead, it was crucial for me to find the right internship as I wanted to immerse myself in something genuinely interesting and creative. So, I was on the hunt for a captivating learning opportunity.

Launching into the Laikaverse

Luckily, senior consultant/space commander, Andrea heard about my search and told me about Laika, her workplace. It sounded incredibly exciting and immediately piqued my interest. Fortunately, they welcomed me with open arms and not only offered me an internship but also invited me to visit them at their main office in Berlin.

So, I packed my bags and prepared to leave Laika's satellite in Cologne to embark on my journey to Berlin. Upon my arrival to the Laika spaceship, I was warmly greeted by everyone, and to my surprise, my desk was beautifully arranged with sweets, Laika merch, and a sweet welcome message. I felt right at home. Being on site in Berlin and meeting the entire team was really helpful for gaining insight into the cosmos of communications. But it was also fascinating to get to know the remote working approach by collaborating with crew member Andrea, who works from Cologne and occasionally works from the Berlin office.

Life aboard the spaceship

During my time at Laika, I had the opportunity to explore various topics—including marketing and social media, do some research and monitor tasks for clients, edit content pieces and take part in internal organizational meetings. I also learned how to create persuasive pitches, participate in client meetings, write bylines, and develop media briefings. All this in two weeks!

And since agency life can be hectic, Laika pays special attention to maintaining a healthy work-life balance––they offer a mindfulness day for each employee and send out a monthly internal mindfulness newsletter, which I contributed to. Furthermore, my English skills improved since the company's working language is in English, as Laika serves many international clients.

What I enjoyed the most was the public speaking workshop with Chris Roe, an experienced communications coach and artist. His insights and advice were incredibly valuable and inspiring. Additionally, our visit to orderbird, a company specializing in cloud-based point-of-sale systems was fascinating, as we discussed their strategy for 2024.

My internship at Laika Communications also made me realize the importance of effective teamwork. Laika is made up of many talented and creative individuals who work together seamlessly. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with and learn from such remarkable people who have consistently supported me.

In summary, my time at Laika Communications was an incredibly enriching experience. It allowed me to gain valuable insights into the working world and have a fantastic time while doing so. This experience enriched me not only professionally but also personally. I learned a lot about a communications agency’s work, the significance of teamwork and how a well-coordinated team can lead to success. The Laika Space Dogs are a shining example of a crew with an unbreakable bond, regardless of challenges. This internship also confirmed my desire to continue on in a creative path in the future. Who knows, maybe one day I will return to Laika, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to other young people seeking an exciting and educational experience.