Hello! I’m Taylor Olson, and this summer I am 5j Design's Inbound Content Intern! In the fall I will be a senior at Augustana University, where I major in journalism and English. So, basically, I write a lot and I read a lot. I’m originally from New London, Minnesota. And while I love Sioux Falls, I’m a Minnesota girl at heart; during the summer you can find me on one of the 11,842 beautiful lakes. During the rest of the year you can find me being continually let down by the Vikings. In my free time, I like to watch Netflix for 8 hours straight without moving and read any book—or any blog, magazine, or story, really—that has words. Some of my favorite things include, but are not limited to: snuggles from my yellow lab, Sugar, going to concerts, and hiking!

After reading that enticing introduction paragraph, I know you can't wait to learn more about me. Here's a few questions and my attempt at interesting answers: 

1. What are you involved in at Augie? 

2. Do you have any secret talents? 

I make an excellent chocolate chip cookie. When my sister and brother-in-law got married in May, I made 550 of them for the wedding with a little help from two of my roommates! It took me about nine hours total. 

3. What is on your reading list? 

I recently finished Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell. It’s a short story written for world book day about a girl who camped out in a line of three people before Star Wars: The Force Awakens. It was amazing! Next up on my list is Lauren Graham’s memoir, Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls and Everything In Between.

4. Pizza or Burrito? 

Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good burrito… but pizza is one of the most important parts of my life.

5. NSYNC or Backstreet Boys?

Backstreet Boys all the way! They were my first concert at the age of 4, and I saw them again when I was 18 on their twentieth anniversary tour. There is a special place in my heart for all boy bands, though.

6. Mount Rushmore or the Badlands? 

I’d have to go with the Badlands. Last fall, my philosophy professor organized a trip to a campground there and I spent a weekend sleeping under the stars with some of my best friends. It was unforgettable!

7. What is the most exhilarating thing you’ve ever done?

Last summer I went on a 5 day, 50 mile hike on the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood in Oregon. It was the first backpacking trip I had ever been on. There was one part of the trail, Elliot Creek, that is technically closed because it was washed away in a storm; to get past it, we had to use a rope tied to a rock to climb down a steep, volcanic-ash valley, cross a river, and then go back up the other side. It was slightly terrifying, but also extremely exciting! Next on my adventure list is Glacier National Park in Montana. 

8. Favorite Sioux Falls restaurant? 

Bagel Boy. I went there almost every Friday of my freshman year of college as a reward for getting through the week, ordered the same thing, and never got sick of it!

9. If you could be any fictional character, who would you be? 

I just finished binge-watching Grey’s Anatomy, so the first one that comes to mind is Meredith Grey. I don’t know if I would actually want to be her with all of her near-death experiences, but I strongly identify with her!

10. Why 5j Design? 

While I know I love to write, my time in college is quickly winding down and I don’t have a very good idea with how I want to use my degree. I thought 5j would be a great place to get real-world experience in writing. I think there’s huge potential in Inbound Marketing and I wanted to try my hand in online writing. I'm so excited to join this awesome team for the summer!