If you had told me a year ago that I would be interning at Hasbro, I would never have believed you. Hasbro toys and games have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, so you can imagine how much of a dream role this was!

Given the current global climate during the COVID situation, an opportunity to bring new and exciting forms of entertainment to everyone stuck at home seemed like a perfect way to spend my summer. Knowing I could make even the smallest difference in a family’s day is enough inspiration to keep me motivated.

With the transition to a new work from home model, I had plenty of questions and concerns about how my internship would look different than I had originally expected. Any doubt quickly disappeared the first week with how welcoming and involving my team was despite never meeting face to face. Keeping an open line of communication with my team and asking plenty of questions helped make my transition into the corporate world as smooth as possible.

One of the things that surprised me most was how close knit my team was and how easily I was integrated into the highly collaborative environment. Having daily team meetings has been incredibly beneficial, allowing time for everyone to discuss project developments and openly share ideas. Creating this comfortable atmosphere helped me to feel confident in sharing my own input and not being afraid of bringing a fresh perspective to the team.

To now be hands-on with some of Hasbro Gaming’s classic brands such as Monopoly, Clue, and Risk has given me invaluable industry experience you won’t find anywhere else. Applying my technical skills was only the surface level of my contributions, as I was quickly challenged to brainstorm new product concepts, lead virtual board game tests, and even create digital product visuals to present to retail partners. Working with interdisciplinary team members has been a new experience for me, but one that I can say has solidified my creative thinking with a new arsenal of knowledge.

At the end of this internship I know I will look back on significant personal and professional growth. The passion of everyone I’ve encountered at Hasbro is contagious – an influence in the best possible way. From not believing I could get the job to a new sense of confidence and unforgettable summer; I cannot recommend it enough!

Jeremy Hroma

Product Design Intern | Hasbro Gaming

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign