Loving what you do, doing what you love.

I’ve been lucky enough to garner a bunch of new friends thanks to a great friend/mentor’s kind mention at Boulder Digital Works. I’ve also had some awesome interns/students to work with and they often ask how I got into the biz and how I navigate the advert world. I’m hardly a seasoned vet, but I do have a few things that seem to have worked  for me, and hopefully there’s something interesting in here for you.

Pay attention in class: I fell into advertising in grad school. Stumbled on an agency in a text book, followed up with my professor, who had a contact there and next thing I knew I was working there. I realize this isn’t always easy, but there’s something to persistence/perseverance and having a great rapport with peers and professors. No apples needed, however be prepared to work your tuchas off.

Seek out mentors/support group: I found my “groove” in advertising when I found my little tribe. They didn’t necessarily live within my agency’s walls. I found a bunch of people in the course of living in the twitterverse, going to conferences, going on interviews, friends of friends and beyond. Their energy, drive and genuine passion for the work smacked me over the head and I never looked back. Celebrate your successes (whether or not you work together) and be there for each other when things aren’t going to plan.

Meet with your mentors: I was lucky (very, very lucky) to be able to sit down with a lot of people I respect and admire one-on-one. After about the 30 seconds of being awestruck, I quickly saw how easy they were to talk to, and how genuinely excited they were to talk to a genuinely interested person. Always be respectful of their time, ask good questions (go prepared) and be yourself.

Be prepared for the unscripted surprises. I had an incredible interview with a super cool planning director that totally reframed the way I look at my craft. I didn’t get the job (I’ll get to that), but in retrospect those 2 hours chatting away was potentially the most valuable to my career. He made me think hard about what motivates me as a planner and moreover as a person. Asked great questions that made my head spin, but I was in such a warm, friendly space that I could answer openly and honestly. I’ll never forget that interview. Everyday I push myself a little harder, there’s a bit of me that wants to be more like that guy.

Rejection sucks. But you WILL survive. I promise. It doesn’t feel like it at the time, but you do. The amazing interview I cited before ended up in a rejection that left me feeling like my insides were torn out. It sucks. You feel like there will never be another (sound like a nasty break up yet?) But then you realize, there are more. And then a great opportunity comes up and it all works out. You just have to work for it. And not let the rejection crush you. It’s a part of the process.

Net-net. It’s not easy, but it certainly ‘aint impossible. Use your smarts. Let your passion show. Be genuine. Keep your eye on your prize.

Happily ever after…

image via http://gapingvoid.com/ (one of my absolute FAVORITES!)

This entry was posted on Friday, August 13th, 2010 at 3:54 pm and is filed under BRANDS, CULTURE. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.