Inside Talon: Harvinder Sokhal

Harvinder Sokhal: An Inside Look at Talent and Innovation at Talon

Outside thinking – it runs in the Talon family. We pride ourselves on being a company built on people with big ideas. People who constantly challenge themselves and the industry to re-imagine and re-invent the possibilities of what Out of Home can be. ​

In this series, we’ll be getting to know more about the people of Talon, their roles, advice and what they get up to outside of OOH. This week, we sat down with Harvinder Sokhal, who is currently enrolled on our year long paid internship programme.

Explain your role?  

I’m currently an intern at Talon in their UK office. I started in the international team and have been rotating every two months between the Product & Data, Compass, Marketing, Grand Visual and Investment teams. 

What does a typical day at work look like for you?  

My role is varied, meaning my days are not necessarily typical. Most of my time is spent supporting the team I am currently in on an ad hoc basis. Sometimes I could be working on project for a few days at a time, and other days I might be drafted in to help finish a report which will be presented the next morning! Previous tasks have involved me collating airport site specifications for the international team, interpreting and presenting campaign data for the Effectiveness team and collecting campaign photography for the Compass team.  

What do you enjoy most about working in OOH?    

I really enjoy the collaborative and people focused environment that the OOH industry provides. I enjoyed meeting new people at university and it’s great to have that in a professional aspect too. Also, being able to see your work created into a tangible object that is seen by millions is fascinating to me and I consider OOH to be one of the more creative and intelligent media industries. 

Most memorable moment or achievement from your time in the industry?  

I am very new to this industry, so can’t say I can think of a single moment right now but attending the Campaign Tech Awards and seeing some brilliant people and campaigns win awards was amazing! Being invited to AdWeek Europe was a real highlight too, as I got to listen to industry-leaders, and I even made a couple of new LinkedIn connections. 

Any tips or advice for someone interested in joining the industry or pursuing a similar career path?  

I would say to keep an open mind when it comes to opportunities, as there are so many that pop up without you thinking about it. Working in OOH can seem full on at first but that comes with chances to learn and progress in your career. As it’s a people orientated industry, you’ll always find support and a friendly face which is good to know. 

What do you get up to outside of work?  

Interestingly, I can’t say I have many major hobbies but most of my time is spent being with my loved ones – whether it be family, friends, or my partner 😊. 

If you could quickly and easily learn any new skill, what would it be?  

Probably the ability to talk to animals as I’ve always wanted to know what they’re thinking!  

Share a memorable adventure or travel experience you’ve had during your free time. How did it impact your personal growth or perspective?   

I went on a 6-month exchange programme to Singapore as part of my degree course! My best mate and I wanted to go somewhere new, far, and exciting so it was an obvious choice. It was quite hard to settle in at first – the humidity, culture and missing home took its toll. But then I remembered why I was there… for the experience!  

I relished the opportunity and ended up joining the UN Students Association and a dance group, travelling to Thailand and Malaysia (4 times!) with new friends and most importantly, an experience that challenged me to make the most of life.