Every year, the 500 Festival welcomes a new group of bright, promising interns looking to make an impact on their community. As interns, college students are given real-world experience in a variety of areas based on their majors – ticketing and customer service, graphic design, marketing, program and event operations, sponsorships and partnerships, and more! They learn new skills and perspectives from the 500 Festival team, all while helping to make lasting memories for the members of our community.  

Many former interns remain committed to the 500 Festival’s mission – with many returning in a full-time capacity. Let’s take a walk down memory lane with our staff that went from Learning to Leading! 

Glenn Amos, Vice President of Operations 

2011 Logistics Coordinator // Full-Time staff since: January 2014 

What drew you to come back and apply for a full-time position with the 500 Festival? 

“After spending two and a half years working in Colorado following my first stint with the 500 Festival, returning to Indianapolis and the 500 Festival was truly me coming home. It was wonderful to once again help bring some of my hometown’s largest events to life and be closer to family. When my contracted position ended, I knew I’d leap at any chance to come back to the 500 Festival. The strong team camaraderie here brings both enjoyment and purpose to our work. The scale, energy, and positive impact of our events—and the opportunities they provide for the community—make every moment worthwhile.” 

Can you share a specific project or experience from your internship that solidified your desire to become a full-time team member? 

“As a new graduate with a competitive spirit, supporting an event like the Mini-Marathon was an entirely new physical and mental challenge in my young professional career. The adrenaline rush from that one event made me realize that large-scale event planning was what I truly enjoyed. I was entrusted with significant responsibilities, from coordinating with staff, volunteers, contractors, and vendors to making sure my pieces of a 30,000-person event came together seamlessly. My role involved prepping supplies at the warehouse, loading 40 plus box trucks with all the necessary equipment and supplies, managing rental vehicles, and overseeing the unloading and organization of all items when they returned. Seeing such a small, dedicated team successfully execute an event of this scale left a lasting impression on me. I knew I wanted to work in an environment like that and with a team that was focused on being the best.” 

Sara Adams, Vice President of Operations 

2013 Education Program & Volunteer Program Intern // Full-Time staff since: August 2014 

What drew you to come back and apply for a full-time position with the 500 Festival? 

“I had so much fun as an intern with the 500 Festival. I loved the team atmosphere, the challenging nature of having a jam-packed Month of May, and I loved being a part of something so integral and special to Indiana. I was excited about the opportunity to work on so many different types of events and programs serving so many different parts of our communities. Working with the 500 Festival straight out of college felt like a dream.” 

What were your initial impressions of the Festival during your internship, and how did those experiences influence your decision to return full-time? 

“The team at the 500 Festival cared deeply about the work they did. It was hard work, but they relied on each other so much, had such strong friendships, that there was a lot of fun to be had in that chaos too! I saw the decisions and work of my mentors directly impact these events that had decades of history, and it taught me to never take for granted what having a hand in these time-honored traditions could mean for someone. The opportunity to make an impact is huge and I really wanted to be a part of something that special.” 

Joshua Reichert, Director of Strategic Partnerships 

2008 Sponsorship Intern // Full-Time staff since: June 2008 

What drew you to come back and apply for a full-time position with the 500 Festival?  

“I had a couple of opportunities lined up, but I did not have a full-time job lined up after graduation that I wanted to jump into after college. Being that the sponsorship world was transitioning to fit the need of hiring an individual to handle fulfillment and activation, I was asked to consider filling that role after graduation occurred. In the end, the team atmosphere and trust given to me to handle responsibilities ultimately lead me to take on the role.” 

What aspects of your internship experience did you find most rewarding, and how did you envision building on that in a full-time role? 

“What I found most rewarding was getting to know partner contacts and supporters of the organization that truly wanted us all to succeed. I feel this is a big part of my personality, meaning that I strive to help others make connections and really like to build those relationships into something stronger. These qualities of the organization really energized my excitement about building a career at the 500 Festival. In addition, the team-driven atmosphere was key to building on over the years. This organization has always been surrounded by those that want you to be better and improve from your failures. This is no different than how we treat our events and truly appreciate those conversations that have led into great friendships with team members over my tenure at the 500 Festival.” 

Katya Halstead, Graphic Designer 

2023 Graphic Design Intern // Full-Time staff since: June 2024 

What drew you to come back and apply for a full-time position with the 500 Festival? 

“I love the energy our events and programs bring, and it’s incredibly rewarding to work on something that is so appreciated by the people of Indy. It’s even more fulfilling to have been asked to return full-time because of the quality of my work and the initiative I’ve shown—knowing that my contributions are making a real impact.” 

Were there any challenges you faced during your internship that ultimately made you feel more prepared to take on a full-time position?  

“Being trusted with important design projects during my internship encouraged me to do more and do better. Each time I fulfilled project tasks, I gained more perspective on what the job entails and how to do it well. The hands-on experience developed my flexibility, endurance, and organizational skills, preparing me for a full-time position.” 

Luke Hays, Registration, Ticketing, and Customer Service Coordinator 

2023 Mini/Miler/Memorial Service Intern // Full-Time staff since: October 2024 

What drew you to come back and apply for a full-time position with the 500 Festival?

“The events that the 500 Festival puts on for the Indianapolis community are full of history and bring hundreds of thousands of people across the state joy each year. As Hoosiers know, the Month of May in Indy is something like no other. The importance of these events, along with the dedication of the staff, is what drew me to come back full-time.” 

What excites you most about the opportunity to contribute to the Festival in a full-time capacity? 

“As an intern I did not have the opportunity to see firsthand how the 500 Festival evolved year after year, so I’m excited about being able to grow with the company now in a full-time role. I’m also excited and ready to take on new responsibilities and work along with the rest of the great team at the 500 Festival!” 

The journey from intern to full-time staff member is a testament to the growth and dedication fostered at the 500 Festival. These former interns not only gained valuable experience but also demonstrated a commitment to the organization’s mission, helping create memorable events for the community. Of all the opportunities they were given, they chose to return to the 500 Festival -and we are so grateful!