Mob Often, Make Time For Yourself
Together, we are a unit. Throughout most of this upcoming week in NYC, as individuals we’ll spend a lot of time with our UO Ad family. Buddying up, going places as a group, planning stuff together - all great, all necessary. That being said, taking the time to be alone in a place like New York City is also a must. There’s no other city in the world that combines as many diverse cultures, messages, peoples, types of food and art. Obviously there’s no right way to live this, but allow yourself the time and space to absorb these things as YOU experience them. Form your own perspective on what you ingest, and reflect on what it means to be in NYC.
Each person can do this differently. It could be as simple as talking a walk around the block at the Roosevelt. Maybe it’s a moment you take at an agency to write down your own impression of what you hear and learn.
As far as the eagerness to hop on the RUNNING train, be advised. I said “running” and not “jogging” for a reason. This locomotive departs at 6am, and goes at one speed. I’m not trying to stifle anyone’s step, just giving fair warning that my slice of solitude doesn’t involve waiting for anyone or chit chat at every corner. No shade to anyone, just trying to defend my own me time.
Running is just one method of making that time. Find yours.
Cameron Kokes
Talking Takeaways
Today, my team had the incredible opportunity to chat with Chris Puma and special guest Rachel Landau, both copywriters at Huge. We talked about a lot and got some great takeaways:
1) Treat everything as a learning opportunity.
Whether it’s your first internship or walking down the street, observe. We work in the intersection of brands and real people living their lives. We can’t forget about the “real people” part of that equation.
2) Everything in your book should have a purpose
Each project should be able to stand alone. Make sure you also have a couple of talking points as to why you chose the project and why it’s significant.
3) Always ask questions
Asking questions shows your investment and creates an interaction. Also, people like to talk about themselves.
4) Take a walk through New York
The city moves fast, but take some time to go for a walk and see the different parts of the city.
5) If you’re looking for a good sandwich, go to Num Pang
It’s already on my to-do list.
Thank you Chris and Rachel for your time and thoughts. See you in NYC.
Jesse Summers 4.27.17
Finding your fit
Is this the place for me? Will I fit in? Two questions many people asks themselves when considering moving out of their comfort zone and onto new beginnings. As we are gearing up to travel across the country and explore agency cultures and dynamics, these are two questions constantly on my mind.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not talking about the playground, first-day-of-high-school questions. Although they are related. I’m talking about the questions you ask yourself when considering a place to work (live) as you start your career. It’s about considering a culture, what it values, and how you relate to it. Often we are in such a hurry to find our first job and end the discomfort of “what are you doing with your life” that we take whatever comes first. Lessons come from these moments, but taking time to find the right fit can be just as valuable to the start of a career.
Hopefully we’ll all have answers to these questions in a couple of weeks!
Jesse Summers 4.27.17
Lessons from My iPhone
Some people take a photo and then never look at it again. I am not one of those people. Looking through last year’s iPhone 5c snapshots I noticed a few things:
1) LOOK AT THE DETAILS. New York is a thrilling mix of polished and dirty. As creative people, we can enjoy both qualities in ways other people tend to miss.
2) GO WITH PEOPLE. Every day make it a goal to spend time in a few different groups. It makes for good conversation, unique experiences, and expanded friendships. Learn people’s names. Ask questions that let you know who they are.
3) SCREENSHOT YOUR DIRECTIONS. You don’t want to burn through your data and there is no service on the subway.
Paige DePaepe 04.27.17
Reminiscing
As the time gets closer for us to embark on our journey to the concrete jungle, I can’t help but reflect a little on things I wish I had done or knew before going on the trip last year. As a Junior, going on the trip is extremely insightful and pushes you to do your absolute best to come back in the fall and amaze your classmates, professors, recruiters, and even judges. This trip is an opportunity for you to network on such a unique platform with people from big agencies to small agencies, but most importantly, with each other.
One of the biggest things I can urge everyone going is to set aside times after the agency visits and talk with one another about the agencies you went to versus the ones that your peers went to. Take notes, because collaborating and decompressing and hearing the excitement in the voices of your peers can give you a feel for what those places are like. I made some of my greatest relationships with Lina Rode, Tucker Stosic, Jocelyn Parker, and many others that I didn’t know before the trip. Through this, they have been my biggest supporters along with some other not mentioned peers this year and push me to do better and I hope I can do that for them too.
Another big thing for me was to ask questions. I think it is essential to ask what is on your mind and prepare questions before going. 9 times out of 10, someone has the same question as you and might not be as willing to speak up. Not only does this benefit you, it can benefit everyone. Also, the people WANT your questions and are curious about your perceptions of the industry and agency just as you are curious about their life and the agency. If you want to get the most out of the trip, coming from someone who wishes they would have capitalized more on it last year, ask questions, hangout with people you don’t necessarily know, and be genuinely curious. It will make the trip that is already so exciting and memorable, that much better. If you time, take people up on coffee walks, or going to get $1 pizza, or take the subway with someone who posted that you don’t know. Connection and communication, friends.
Looking forward to a wonderful trip with all of y’all and seeing the city in a new light. If you ever find a hole in the wall place, let me know and let’s chat about the agencies you adore and maybe the ones that will surprise you.
All of the best as we prep for the upcoming trip.
James McAndrew. 4.27.2017
Get a little lost.
Coming into this school year I felt like I was drowning and would never find my way back to land. Here I was surrounded by probably some of the most talented and hardworking people I will ever have the pleasure of meeting. For a while I got a little lost in the crowd. I didn’t believe in my abilities and doubted that I would be good enough. Then I got into the New York Program and suddenly people knew who I was. From the moment I was accepted into the NYC Program I kept asking myself why. Why was I chosen? Why out of the dozens of crazy talented people who applied was I given this amazing experience? I found myself doubting my abilities again and just like that I felt like I was drowning. It wasn’t until I read the following quote by Maya Angelou that I really started to push myself to have more faith in my own talent.
“I love to see a young girl go out and grab the world by the lapels. Life’s a bitch. You’ve got to go out and kick ass.” – Maya Angelou
Once I read this I had a moment of clarity. I realized it’s okay to be fearful and to feel like you’re drowning, however, don’t let that hold you back. In a school as talented as ours it’s easy to get lost and be forgotten. We have to fight everyday to prove to the world to listen to us because we matter and so does our work. It’s scary and more times than we’d like to admit we will fall and get lost, but don’t stay lost. When you feel yourself getting lost find something or someone to guide you out. Find a way to be inspired again and then take a risk. Do something that makes you uncomfortable and push yourself everyday. Without noticing it you’ll find that you are the guide for someone else and just like that you have come full circle.
Topacio Beerhalter 04.27.17
Kudos for Convo
It is not easy. Emails to people you’ve never met are daunting, and it can feel incredibly needy to ask if they can spare a few minutes of their valuable time to talk to you, a nobody, about the industry. Terrifying scenarios run through your head. What if they don’t like my work? What if they don’t have time? Or worse. What if they never. answer. (gasp at the horror!).
And just like those fears you had in middle school of walking through the halls naked, these scary nightmares rarely become reality. You don’t realize it until you start talking to a number of professionals, but most of these people really want to help you out, because they got into the industry the same exact way.
Networking is such an emotionless word. It’s more about creating connections with people and having conversations about the industry and all that it encompasses. Be hungry. Smile. And most importantly, be a nice person, because it goes a long way.
Allison Graaff 04.27.17
An Ode to the Seniors
Where to begin with this one. To the seniors, those whose final six weeks are closing in faster than you’d like to admit, thank you.
I came into this program in the Fall, fresh out of creative strat. I knew Tyler Robinson and Turner Maxwell…and Deb. That’s it. I was pushed into a classroom full of creatives who were world’s more accomplished and smarter than I could ever dream of being, and I felt completely lost. But it was you all, the seniors, who instead of intimidating me and laughing at me opened your arms and welcomed me into a program that I can no longer imagine my life without. It was your books, your ideas, and your friendships that pushed me to forge onwards, and to hone my craft so that I too could feel worthy of your ranks.
You all will be missed so dearly next Fall, as I’m sure my fellow juniors would agree. I’m beyond excited to spend this week in NYC with you all, soaking in as many final words of wisdom as I can. At the end of the day it’s not the Drogas or the 72s that inspire me, it was always you all.
Thank you again,
Caleb Couturie. 4.27.17
Create for the love of creation
As our school year winds down and projects wrap up, and as students prepare to part in their separate ways to bright and exciting new beginnings, a sense of closure has seemed to loom over Allen Hall.
It may be hard to maintain that same sense of urgency we all felt towards the very beginning of Fall. You know what I’m talking about, that drive to create and produce work for our book so that come this time agencies would be begging just to give us all internships. I implore each and every student, whether you’re a creative or coder, strategist or account manager, to keep the fire burning. If we create for the sake of making ourselves look better for future employers, then I believe we will have lost the passion that makes this industry, and major, so wonderful.
Follow your passions, push yourself to make great work, and lastly never stop striving to better yourself through your work. There is no such thing as perfection.
Caleb Couturie 4.27.17
Spring Is A Season for Planting
Sitting on the third floor of Allen Hall, surrounded by faces I see constantly but rarely talk to, I’m struck by how eager I am to finally connect with the people whose work I have long-admired. This is my New York Experience group, a collection of strategists, developers and art directors ready to take on Creative Week (and maybe see a museum or two in the process).
Just about every person I’ve talked to in the ad industry has emphasized the importance of relationships, and I’m excited to plant these seeds now. I’ll water them over time with projects and Skype calls, late nights and collaboration, early mornings and beers after work, but right now it starts with an introduction.
Hannah Lewman. 04.27.2017