Thinking
Grill the Arsonist – Mallary H.
Mallary Helmig is the kind of person who color-codes her planner — and actually sticks to it. As an intern at MindFire and a full-time senior at St. Ambrose University, she’s a pro at juggling both structure and spontaneity, balancing client timelines by day and academic deadlines by night.
In this edition of Grill the Arsonist, Mallary shares why adaptability is nonnegotiable in today’s agency world, how student life sharpened her client-ready communication skills and which one of her cats would absolutely hijack a meeting. (Spoiler: One of them would run a tight ship. The other? Total chaos.)
What drew you to project management and the agency world?
I’ve always liked having a plan. There’s something satisfying about knowing where we’re headed and how we’re going to get there. But I also love creative work, so project management felt like the sweet spot between planning and creativity.
I get to help keep everything organized and moving forward while still understanding the bigger picture of branding and marketing, and I enjoy how the agency environment is fast, collaborative and never boring. No two days look the same, but behind the scenes, there’s still a clear structure keeping it all aligned. That balance is what makes it fun.
What’s something being a student has taught you that helps you at MindFire?
College has been a crash course in communication. From presentations to on-camera interviews, I’ve learned how to speak confidently, ask thoughtful questions and adjust my tone depending on who I’m talking to.
It’s also taught me how to juggle. Classes, group projects, shifting deadlines — you learn quickly how to prioritize and stay organized. That translates directly into client work. Needing to juggle classes, projects and group work has taught me valuable skills that translate into managing timelines and keeping things on track for clients.
What skill do you think every great project manager needs?
Adaptability. Timelines shift, client needs evolve and platforms update constantly. That means we all have to be comfortable pivoting without losing momentum. A strong project manager knows how to adjust direction when needed while still keeping the team grounded and the project moving forward.
What’s playing in the background while you’re working?
Honestly? Most days, silence.
The office hum (or my cats sprinting through my apartment like they’re training for the Olympics) is enough background noise. If I do put something on, it’s usually a laid-back playlist that helps me focus without stealing my attention.
Every once in a while, I’ll throw on a true crime podcast. Nothing like a little low-stakes mystery in the background to keep you motivated.
What’s a piece of advice you’d give another student who’s thinking about agency life?
Stay curious. Ask questions. Then ask more questions.
It’s easy to feel like you’re supposed to have it all figured out. You’re not. Agency life rewards curiosity and fresh perspective. No one expects you to know everything, especially when you’re just starting out.
Which one of your cats would make the better project manager, and which one would absolutely derail a meeting?
Coco (short for Coconut) would be the project manager. He’s tidy, particular and very vocal if something feels off. He’d run a tight ship and probably send follow-up notes.
Meatwad (named before I had a say in it) would derail the meeting within minutes. His favorite activity is being the center of attention. He’d be pawing at someone for cuddles or launching himself onto a keyboard before we even made it to the first bullet point.
If you could plan a weekend getaway anywhere right now, where would you go and why?
I’d plan a spontaneous road trip to the mountains with friends – windows down, good music and lots of laughs.
There’s something about discovering a new place together that resets your brain, especially with some fresh air, great views and maybe a few questionable navigation choices along the way. The best memories usually start with, “What if we just… went?”
