Be Nice to Everyone
From professors and professionals alike, I’ve heard many an iteration of the same message:
“Be really nice to everyone. In advertising, you always work with people twice.”
“People want to work with people they like.”
“Don’t be a dick.”
“Be humble, stay hungry.”
“This industry is really small - don’t burn bridges.”
“Build relationships, it’s a small industry.”
“Work hard and be nice to people.”
This seemingly obvious advice isn’t unique to advertising, but it’s noteworthy enough to be mentioned by nearly everyone. This industry revolves around collaboration and communication. Maintaining positive interpersonal relationships is integral to creating meaningful work that resonates with an audience.
It’s simple. Be a nice person, practice empathy, and produce good work.
- Sam Coffaro 05.14.17
How lucky we are to spend a week in one of the most amazing cities in the world.
How lucky we are to have dedicated, generous professors and instructors to make it happen.
How lucky we are that incredible agencies open their doors to us.
How lucky we are to hear such wisdom.
How lucky we are to be dealing in ideas, to be studying for an industry fueled by creativity.
How lucky.
Hannah Lewman 05.14.17
Comfortable
If I’ve learned anything in life, it’s that you need to feel comfortable with yourself. This isn’t some deeper philosophical issue. It comes down to a need to truly understand what makes you the person you are.
If you aren’t comfortable being alone with yourself, there’s no way you will be comfortable adapting to new situations. This trip was the first time I was in New York alone, and learning to trust my instincts for direction and to enjoy wandering with just my own thoughts was a comforting process. It felt weird at first to be alone in a large crowd of people, but over time became something very enjoyable.
It’s one thing to walk by yourself to class in small Eugene, Oregon, but a whole new concept to walk by yourself in Manhattan. There’s nothing wrong with company, and we all enjoy doing things with friends, but one skill many people in our generation seem to lack is the sense of self. It’s something that can’t be found on social media, and can’t be bought. It must be earned over time, and visiting New York certainly expedited the process for me.
Andrew Greenblatt 5.14.17.
One of my favorite memories of New York was Thursday morning when I went to the Whitney museum by myself. First I found a coffee shop, worked on my computer a little, made some linkedin connections, sent some emails then navigated my way on the subway. I felt very insightful on this morning and enjoyed wandering around the city with just me and my thoughts. The Whitney Biennial exhibit was extremely thought provoking. A lot of the art pieces dealt with a wide variety of cultural concerns from racial inequalities, gender inequalities, poverty, and more. Art has often been a tool for provoking conversation about issues around the world and this made me think about the shift the goal of advertising has made over the years. Advertising used to be solely about selling a product and as we know now, advertisers care much more about social change, brand identity and telling a provoking story leading to the product selling itself. If an agency can help tell a brands story, then they can sell the product. I left the Whitney feeling inspired and I think going to a museum can be a great reliever for brain block that gets you right back on the creative train.
-Katie Leimbach
Tips
Throughout this week I gathered a bunch of tips about various ways to succeed in life. Here are some of my favorite tips:
1. be comfortable with uncertainty
I like this tip because I have begun to stress myself out with the uncertainty of the future. This tip reminded me to take a step back and breath.
2. Read good books and be able to talk about them
With the busy schedules we all have it can be hard to find time to fit in reading but this was a reminder that it is absolutely necessary! What you are reading could end up being a good talking point in an interview as well.
3. Be ready, and you won’t have to get ready
This tip seems simple but it couldn’t be more true. If you procrastinate working on your book, or updating your resume or whatever it may be, you could be preventing yourself from acting on an opportunity sooner.
4. Find people who are willing to champion you.
This is a reminder to find a good support system and remember that people are more willing to help you than you think.
5. Focus on your strengths and not your weaknesses
I know I can be hard on myself about what I am capable of so this is a reminder that everyone is good a something. When you find that something, work hard at it to improve and you won’t have to dwell on your weaknesses so much.
-Katie Leimbach
“Title”
My biggest take-away this trip is to remove the label from myself and
not get caught up in titles. For the longest time I didn’t know what to
say about myself. Was I a digital or interactive designer? A developer?
UX? Creative Technologist? The interdisciplinary nature of design has
made it hard for me to identify who I am which is why I am throwing out
my label completely.
I am a designer. Don’t over think it. Don’t limit yourself.
-Sara Bagnell
One of the common phrases that I kept hearing at different agencies was that you need to “fight, fight, and keep on fighting” for your career and your goals. If you are only 60% in, you will not make it in this kind of competitive industry. There are times that people question their career and debate if it is really worth the effort and if you push through that, there is no limit to what you can accomplish.
Sydney Humble
05.12.2017
Goodbye New York.
Bags are packed, hotels are left, and planes are boarded.
As our week in New York comes to an end I can’t help but look back on this week. I learned so much and last Friday feels like a lifetime ago. As I prepare to return to reality I can’t help but feel bittersweet. On one hand I am pumped to go back to Eugene to be in my own bed and see my friends. On the other hand, how could I ever want to leave a city with so much to offer? How could I leave a city that was starting to feel like home? I’m left with this dilemma and I know it is a great problem to have but I can’t help but want the best of both worlds. Within a week I learned so much from this program. I learned to be confident in my skills but to always keep pushing to be better. I learned that you will fail in your career, however, it is how you handle those failures that will dictate your success. Finally, I learned that if you aren’t happy do something about it. Be proactive and don’t let others run your career or life.
Ask any of the 108 students who went on this trip and they will tell you that this trip changed them in some way. That is the beauty of New York, it inspires you and changes your perspective. This week we were pushed to feel uncomfortable and step out of our comfort zones. We were pushed to represent our school. We were pushed to think critically and look at the bigger picture. Above all we were pushed to unite as a team and help each other find ourselves in this chaotic city.
Bags are packed, the city is in the distance, and a 108 students are left looking back on an incredible week.
Topacio Beerhalter 05.13.2017
Ice Melts
An important part of life that seems to be overlooked is the value of healthy relationships. Whether that is with a friend, significant other, or professionally. I learned this a long time ago which is to treat everyone with respect, and this trip backed up that sentiment throughout the week. At every agency i visited they emphasized the importance of being a respectable person, because the advertising industry is a lot smaller than many people realize. Don’t burn bridges and don’t be an asshole. You never know if someone could be your next creative director, or the person that hires you. Or on the negative side, the person who doesn’t recommend you because they remember who as that “asshole”. Be kind, be genuine, and be human.
-Tim
DON’T BE A DICK. Don’t burn bridges and treat everyone
equally. The industry is smaller than you think and people talk. Build a
network and remember to always be professional. Don’t burn a bridge that can
potentially be crossed in the future. If you don’t enjoy working with someone
or something happens that you don’t agree; be sure to handle it in a
professional manner because you never know when you will cross that person
again.
TWO UP,
Zach Cross