The Story I Tell Myself.

“I am not creative enough to be here,” “I am not talented enough to be here,” “I am not (blank) enough.” These are the stories that I initially tell myself when I’m facing a new or unfamiliar experience. With a trip that is centered around brilliant, creative professionals and people making smart work, I have been having my fair share of self-doubt and anxiety.

But these are the stories that I tell myself (an idea I learned from Brené Brown).

I have to lean into this discomfort and embrace the vulnerability that comes with these thoughts. I need to change this story I tell myself, because I know that there’s something here that has allowed me to be a part of this experience, to get to share my story with others and to learn from theirs. The story I tell myself doesn’t have to be negative. To embrace the vulnerability and trust that I’m capable is all I have to remember.

All things aside, I’m feeling excited. I’m feeling nervous. Feeling all the emotions. See you soon, New York!

Laurel Martin #1 | 5.4.19

Astrology

Astrology: Maybe it’s real. Maybe it’s fake. 

All I know is this: Today, the day that I leave for New York, my horoscope boiled it all down to 4 words. “You can do this.” 

Maybe they have some sort of algorithm tracking my internet behaviors. Algorithms that see me scrolling through pages and pages of incredible work done by the agencies I’ll visit in the next coming days. Algorithms that see me preparing, compiling a document of every question I have coming into this experience. Algorithms watching as I agonize over an Excel spreadsheet, attempting to fit every NY experience possible into a short 1-week window. 

Maybe that’s how they calculated what my horoscope should be today. Or perhaps it was just dumb luck. 

All I know is this: Today is the day we leave for New York. We can do this. 

-Carly Belin 5/4/19

The 152-Hour Layover

12 years ago, amidst a long layover at JFK, my mother and I decided to go explore the city. The people, places and things I saw during that six-hour layover have since been lost in the depths of my memory. The only memory that has stuck with me all these years is a Staten Island Ferry ride with Empire State of Mind blasting through my iPod Shuffle. At the time I wanted to be a Broadway star and couldn’t help but imagine what life in the big city could be like one day. Never did I think I’d be here, finally (kind of) knowing what I want to do with my life, and heading back to the city. The iPod Shuffle has since been replaced by an iPhone but my excitement to dive into this concrete jungle remains the same. 

Annika Minges 5.5.2019

It’s bigger than you think.

When I lived and worked in New York, it was easy to forget how big the city is, compared to other places. Coming back after living in Eugene the last two years has reminded me how small our college town is.
This photo is from the Hall of Bones (probably not what it’s actually called- but it’s a cool name, so who cares) in the Natural History Museum. I’ve always loved dinosaurs- but seeing their skeletons in person was shocking- the dinosaurs are much, much bigger than you think. You know they’re big, theoretically. But seeing them is completely different. Big. Big big. LARGE. Gargantuan, even. 
Even seeing their bones in person, it’s still hard to comprehend how large these animals really were. 

New York City is the same way. You don’t really understand until you’re there. And even when you’re there, you still don’t quite get it.

Summer Ketchum + 5-04-2019

Back for Round Two

After last year’s trip to New York, I was more excited than ever to have realized that the city was exactly how I had wanted it to be, leaving with a picture-perfect view of the skyline and stars in my eyes; Since then, I’ve been applying to entry-level jobs in the city after having only seen it for one week - but why am I expecting NYC to live up to one week of perfectly planned experiences? 

I was well aware upon leaving New York last year that I had seen it in its most idyllic form: perfect spring weather, staying at a hotel in Manhattan, with a schedule planned out including some of my closest friends… So what would New York be like for me alone? What about when I’m anxious? Or on a 98 degree day when my only way home is underground? 

Although last year I was looking for my *perfect* introduction to New York City, this year I am hoping to challenge what I see… Not to say I’m looking for a shitty week, but I’m hoping to see if I can take off the rose-colored glasses, and predict what kind of life I might actually have there. 

New York, give me what you got.

- Haley Koch // from May 4th

Business Casual?

Upon learning the dress code for the agency visits is business casual I immediately began to shuffle through my closet in my mind. Thinking to myself, I want to look professional but at the same time stay true to my personal style. After some help from my mom, she gave me some advice to get equipped to take on NYC with confidence.

Here are some of the tips she shared with me:

• Dress as though you are going to meet your significant others parents for the first time, but make it your own.
• A nice blazer is always a good touch to any outfit; show them you mean business.
• When shopping for clothes or shoes don’t break the bank. Try going Target, H&M, or Nordstrom Rack.
• If you’re going to wear a skirt or dress think to yourself, “Could I wear this to church?” If no, it’s probably too short.
• Don’t wear shoes that are all beat up.

Allie Bruno - 5.4.19 #1

Be Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

If I told you I wasn’t nervous, I’d be lying. I’ve never been to New York, and I’ve barely been on the east coast. I imagine Florida and NYC are a lot different though. Being a kid who’s lived in Oregon his entire life, it’s crazy to think that we’re going to a place I’ve never been before for 9 days, and I could possibly be living there in a little over a month. 

However, the greatest lesson I’ve learned along this journey is to be open to any new opportunity. I want to turn my nervousness into excitement. Especially with agencies, I’ve learned its important to have an open mind and be okay with being a little uncomfortable. That’s what this industry is all about. And hey, if I absolutely hate living there, internships are only 10 weeks long. 

But honestly, I hope I love it. It might take me a while to adapt, but I’m okay with looking like a tourist for a few days.

- Brandon Bullas - 5.4.19

Change of Plans

The last time I was in New York I thought I was getting my future sorted out. I was with a group of Model UN kids touring the UN, visiting museums and participating in a conference. I loved researching what was happening in the world, and finding solutions for problems most people didn’t know about. This visit made me think I had my life planned out, I would major in international relations and work for an NGO or even the UN. If it wasn’t for a sunny weekend visit to Eugene, things might not have changed. 

Five years later, I couldn’t be more confident in my change of career, school and ability to navigate the city. Advertising really is one of my passions and I am so excited to share this week with all 120 of you! I am ready to absorb all the creativity and energy this city has. I can’t wait to meet more of my fellow ad students and explore more of what NYC has to offer. Now I need to finish my last minute packing and hope that i fall asleep on my red eye tonight. Go Team!

-Allison Surber 05.04.19

I’m wearing my Nikes

The thing I have been the most stressed about for this trip is what shoes I’m going to wear. Every pair of “business casual” shoes I own make me want to die when I think about navigating a big city in them. Nothing can ruin my day faster than if my feet hurt. So I’m wearing my Nikes. Screw it. I figure if NBA coaches can wear Nikes with their fancy sports suits then I can wear mine with some khakis. 

-Regan Nelson 5.4.19

lil bits of inspo

The facts: NYC is rad and there’s so much to look at literally all the time. I know a lot of us rolled up seeking inspiration from the city, and it has SO much to give. On the downside, I feel like a lot of Famous NYC Stuff is low-key underwhelming once you see it. Like, yeah, Grand Central Station is downright gorgeous and and breathtaking, but that’s what I expected. 

So here’s my spicy thought: keep an eye out for the little things that make New York City so iconic. The best thing about my first day (other than the cheap pizza, obviously) was wandering around Brooklyn and the Southside and noticing little bits of art and brilliant design. All the dope street murals, adorable balconies (see attached pic) and random stickers slapped on walls were dope as hell and absolutely inspirational. 

All this to say, don’t get so stuck on trying to find the famous stuff that you miss the little bits of artistry that make NYC so iconic and diverse.