College student lands internship with Lego resume

EVANSTON, Il. (KGO) -- A woman who made a Lego version of herself in order to get attention in the job market has now landed a prestigious internship.

Leah Bowman is a junior at majoring in communication studies at Northwestern with a certificate in "integrated marketing." She also has a minor in anthropology.

The 20-year-old told ABC News that when she was home during spring break last year, she got the idea to market herself using her dad's Lego collection.

"I got the idea brainstorming with my parents," she said. "It came to me on a Saturday morning, and by Sunday night I'd designed it -- an ad for myself. I assembled it on Monday."

Bowman made a "mini-me" along with a poster that said: "LEAH. Build the perfect Account Service intern! New for 2014!"

She sent out the poster and Legos to potential employers, including ad agencies.

She was picked as one of only 16 summer interns, out of a pool of 1,000 applicants at Chicago ad agency Energy BBDO.

"She created a splash," said Kristen Quinlan, human resources manager at Energy BBD. "She definitely got herself noticed from her gimmick. I wanted to talk to her."

Quinlan added, "I've gotten a few wacky, unique things over the years from people trying to get their foot in the door. She did it in a good way, a very positive way. She got herself noticed."

What mattered more, however, is that when Quinlan spoke to the 20-year-old on the phone, she said she found there was substance under the splash.

"She was a very smart, bright, articulate young woman -- and she had some prior experience already," Quinlan said.

Bowman, who is set to graduate in December, said that if her internship goes well she may decide to stay in advertising.