The First Batch: CIIT Creative Interns at Thrive Digital
February 16, 2026
At Thrive Digital, we believe that the future of the creative industry is shaped not just in classrooms, but through real-world practice—where ideas meet deadlines, strategy meets storytelling, and creativity meets accountability. This belief came to life with the successful completion of our first batch of Creative Interns from the CIIT College of Arts and Technology, under the Bachelor of Multimedia Arts, specializing in Graphic Design.
Meet Samuelle Victoria “Vika” Javier and Vicente Jesus II V. Alagar, two creatives who each completed 500 internship hours, contributing to live client projects while growing into confident, industry-ready designers.
From Theory to Practice
For Vika, the internship became a crucial bridge between academic learning and professional execution. Working on actual client deliverables allowed her to apply her foundations in graphic design and motion graphics in a results-driven environment.
“This experience allowed me to see how theoretical knowledge translates into tangible outputs that meet client needs.”
Beyond design execution, she gained exposure to project management, collaboration, and aligning creative work with strategic objectives—skills that are essential in agency life but difficult to fully grasp in school alone.
Vicente echoed this hands-on learning curve, sharing that the fast-paced, client-driven environment sharpened not only his technical skills but also his efficiency.
“I learned how to work efficiently in a fast-paced, client-driven environment.”
Real Clients, Real Responsibility
Both interns point to working on real client projects as the most transformative part of their experience.
For Vika, the St. Hannah Medical Center project stood out as a defining moment. Interns were entrusted with leading the marketing and design conceptualization, from research to execution—an uncommon level of responsibility for students.
“This project pushed me to think critically about how design choices influence audience perception and how research informs creative direction.”
The experience strengthened her leadership skills, ability to synthesize insights into design decisions, and appreciation for teamwork.
Vicente, meanwhile, highlighted the impact of producing social media ads, posters, and motion graphics for actual clients—work that demanded both creativity and speed.
“These tasks pushed me to improve both creativity and speed.”
Vicente and Vika during a Photoshoot
The Role of Mentorship
Strong mentorship is at the heart of Thrive Digital’s internship program. Vika credits her growth to the guidance of Marnelle Calderon, Thrive Digital’s Creative Lead.
“Her feedback was always timely, concise, and actionable, which helped me refine my work quickly and efficiently.”
Beyond technical feedback, Vika valued the open, collaborative environment that made learning feel safe, engaging, and challenging in the right ways.
Vicente similarly appreciated the team’s clear feedback and professional guidance, noting how support and standards went hand in hand.
Shaping Creative Futures
By the end of their 500 hours, both interns walked away with more than just experience—they gained clarity.
For Vika, the internship confirmed her passion for graphic design and motion graphics, even amid demanding workloads and tight deadlines.
“I found genuine enjoyment in brainstorming creative ideas and bringing them to life through design.”
She now envisions a career that blends creativity, strategy, and cultural relevance.
Vicente shared that the experience reinforced his goal of pursuing a career in creative and digital media, giving him the confidence to collaborate with professional teams and take on real-world projects.
Looking Ahead
As our first CIIT Creative Interns, Vika and Vicente set the standard for what Thrive Digital hopes to cultivate: creatives who are thoughtful, adaptable, collaborative, and ready to contribute meaningfully from day one.
We’re proud to have been part of their journey—and even more excited to see where they take their creativity next.
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