Insatiable Curiosity

As I prepare myself for my 7 AM flight tomorrow (it is 11:05 PM, I am doing great as you can tell), I can’t help but think back on the conversation I had earlier at dinner with my 10-year-old niece. I was doing some last minute editing to my resume and portfolio when my niece looked over and said, “THAT LOOKS AMAZING! Can you tell me more about what you’re doing and why you’re going on this trip?” It took a bit of time for me to explain what media planning is since I don’t think “impressions” or “frequency” or “reach” are in a 10-year-old’s vocabulary. Once I explained to her about my role and why I was going on this trip, I swear, something just clicked in her. She became so curious about the work I’ve created and kept asking questions about my thought process and how campaigns come together (something, once again, 10-year-old me would’ve never asked). 

This conversation left me inspired and ignited a spark in me, just like how it ignited that little spark in her. My niece’s youthful energy and insatiable curiosity have me motivated to be in that exact mindset when I step foot back into the bustling city and when I walk into these agencies. The questions she kept asking me reminded me that it’s okay to ask about anything you’re curious about, even if you feel a bit overwhelmed and/or intimidated by the fact that you’re asking industry professionals about something you don’t know. They are there to help you fuel that curiosity that you have. I’m excited to learn more this year, and I hope everyone is inspired and ready to fuel their curiosity throughout this trip.

It’s life-changing.

-Lynn Nguyen | May 2nd, 2019

Three key takeaways from ‘Rebel Talent'

In preparation for our trip to New York, my cohort and I, led by Professor Dave Markowitz, were tasked with reading “Rebel Talent.” Author Francesca Gino explains the various ways we can channel our inner “rebel” in order to succeed at work and throughout life. Here are a few takeaways:

1. “Authenticity gives us the courage, energy, and confidence we need to rebound from negative experiences.”

Demonstrations of authenticity correlate to greater self-esteem, even when faced with challenges or failure. In New York, if you are speaking with someone and you get lost during their story, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. By dismissing any fears of appearing inexperienced, you’ll be able to get the full value of whatever they were trying to tell you

2. “At their core, rebels are engaged. They have abundant energy and mental resilience, they invest in their work and in their personal relationships, and they persist even when the road gets tough.”

Research shows that people who are engaged are more successful and are often happier with their work. Make sure you are engaged while in New York. This includes actively listening during your visits so that you can fully take advantage of the information you are being given.

3. “A hallmark of a healthy creative culture is that its people feel free to share ideas, opinions, and criticisms.”

This quote comes from Ed Catmull, co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios. The best work is conceptualized and brought to life when people are comfortable voicing their thoughts and feelings. In regards to this trip, be confident and ask questions. You may end up hearing an important insight or an inspiring story that may not have surfaced otherwise.

Kelly Kondo, 05/02/2019, #1

We are almost there folks!

Today I was packing up my suitcase and it finally sank into my stomach. I am one of 120 amazing students at the SOJC going on this very important business trip. The honor, opportunity, and nervousness are all routing up on me. I think it will finally hit me when I step off that plane, and have to magically find my way to the hotel in such an intimidating place called New York City. My only worry at this point is that I hope that I dress ‘business casual’ enough. I am so ready for all the obstacles and insight through this exhausting week. 

Lets Go!

Nicole Lee, 5.2.19 #1

Giddy-Up, L’il Dawgy

Here it is. I’m sitting here, waiting to board the plane to take me to the promise lands. I’m going to be a country gal, born and raised in Oregon in the country side, a mixed the city folk that supposedly think we eat hay for breakfast out here.

As I’m eagerly awaiting the flight, I’m questioning whether or not if this is right. Am I fit to be in New York? Am I in the right major? What if I just get swallowed up whole and come back a failure?

To be honest, I deep down know that I’m doing what is best for me. I’m terrified leaving behind everything I know, especially my precious kitty cat. But it’s all in good heart to get the smallest taste of what the ad industry holds. I know I have a lot to learn, both for New York in general and in the ad works, but I’m welcoming it with open arms.

Here’s to being afraid of something I’ve never done, yet doing it anyway. 🍻

Hang on tight, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Taylor Moore 5.2.19 #1

Ready or Not

As someone who has never been to New York City before, I am extremely nervous as the infamous #UONYC trip approaches (very quickly, I might add). I wish I could say I feel ready: ready to fast-walk on the streets with the locals, ready to network with the best of the best in the advertising industry, ready to hop on the subway and not get lost.

But if I’m being honest, I don’t feel ready in the slightest.

What I do feel, however, is prepared. I don’t know if my anxiety-ridden mind will ever allow me to feel 100% mentally ready for this trip, but there’s some comfort in knowing I can prepare for the things within my control.

I have all of my professional, business casual attire hand-picked for the week. I have my leatherbound notebook and my favorite pen ready to take notes. I have my most comfortable shoes packed to explore the city in. My suitcase is locked and loaded with every little thing I could possibly need. I have done my research.

So with that said, see you soon New York!

Matty Leech 5.2.19

Wowie NYC!!

I didn’t think I was as great of a rhymer, but look at me go! 

New York City… It’s close. On Sunday, May 5th, I get to attempt my week as a “New Yorker”- that’s some big stuff! Emotions are stirring. Excitement, for one. Nervousness (excitements “plus-one”), is also joining. 

I have been reading all my classmates’  smart posts and I have been struggling with what to say and how to say it.  Typically when I have this issue, I just gotta to do what I gotta do and hope it goes well. 

As a student, I have been given such a wonderful opportunity As a person, I am trying to react accordingly. I do NOT know what to expect. 

Little ol’ me in the big city!

Gelareh Dehnad 5.2.2019

Three Things I Learned When I Was 15 in NYC

I’ve been to New York City once, when I was 15. I went to train at a dance studio in midtown, so it is safe to say that advertising (or any career outside of dance) was not on mind at the time. But, I learned some New York lessons during my stay. Here are 3 of them:

1. Walk with intention. I know, you hear this all the time. New Yorkers are going from point A to point B and they look like they needed to be at point B YESTERDAY so get out the way. But, the lesson I learned from walking in New York is this: en route to point B is the perfect time and place to set intentions for point B. Whether it’s telling yourself that you will work to stand in the front of the ballet class for petit allegro, or that you will chat with x-many people at the agency you’re about to walk into, intention setting is the perfect commute activity.
2. Think back to the best meal you’ve ever had. I don’t care what it is, the point is that we can all remember the best meal we’ve ever had. Sure, sometimes the best meals are expensive. But, for me at least, that isn’t always the case. The best way to get to know a place is to eat your way through it. This will nourish your body and your soul. I’m not saying blow all your money on food, or don’t eat that granola bar for breakfast. But, nourish yourself. Create memories that center around a meal or a snack with friends. Eat that meal, and it might just be the best meal you’ve ever had.
3. You are most definitely going to get lost. It’s the best. Stressful, but the best. You might think that you will make it your 10:30 am ballet class with 20 minutes to spare. You might even map it, leave extra early, be the most prepared person on the island. But somehow, someday, you will get lost. Silver lining? You will probably find the best little coffee shop, or see a sight you didn’t even know existed. And the ballet class will still be there tomorrow.

Katherine Dean | 5.02.2019

A Very Nervous Person’s Guide to Networking

Some things I wish I’d realized earlier:

1. Just send one message, it’ll get easier after that. Yeah, it’s stressful to do but honestly, a lot of the time the anticipation is worse than the action itself. Once you send a single message, you’ll probably find that it gets a lot easier to reach out to people, even if you’re worried your message will feel kind of out of the blue. Same goes for approaching people in person! Once you do it once, you’ll be able to do it again.
2. You can always set meetings up during the trip! Even if you get to Monday and don’t have anything set up, it’s definitely not too late to find a time to meet up with somebody for coffee as long as you’re up front about your time constraints. If you click with somebody you meet at an agency or find a name after you leave, reach out anyway. Even if you can’t make something work, you’ve still opened a line of communication!
3. Send follow-up emails or LinkedIn connection messages when you get back to the hotel that night. Don’t wait for the end of the trip or later in the week. Sending a message when the interaction is fresh in your mind is the best way to make sure it gets done and that you actually have something to say when you reach out.

Jordan Blackburn | 5.2.19

It’s Time

Today it finally sank in. I’m heading to New York City. This Mississippi boy is heading to the Big Apple. For a week. Let me state that again. I will be in NYC for a week. Is that even legal? I can’t begin to express the amount of gratitude I have for the amazing professors in the SOJC who have given not only me but all of my amazing cohorts this opportunity. It’s beautiful to know that I’ll be walking through the doors of agencies that have created advertisements I marvel over. At no point in my life did I envision I’d be peaking behind the curtain to see how it all comes together. I’ll be the first one to tell you that I’m nowhere near a creative individual. I’ve always had such respect and admiration for those who possess creative abilities because they are able to alter time. Whether it’s for 60 seconds or for 10 minutes, people set aside their time to fixate upon the creative work provided by these gifted individuals. To think, it’s finally time. Carlos McCarter 5.1.19