Find the other way in…
There’s an easy way to do things–the first idea the pops into your mind, the idea that anyone could’ve come up with, the idea that is expected… That’s the easy way in. But there’s also the other way in–the one that takes some thinking, takes some chances, the unexpected. You always want to take the other way in.
- Sophie Wood
don’t be scurred
Some advice I got from a UO alum now working in NYC was, “Being a junior in the business is a huge learning curve, but it’s the best when you’re surrounded by people who believe in you and don’t make you scared or nervous to fuck up.” Her advice made sense, but I think it can also be applied to the time that we have left here in college… Surround yourself with people that encourage you to be better, that you can learn from, and don’t make you scared to fail. Being scared to fail prevents you from taking chances that could turn into really great things. Just a thought.
- Sophie Wood
The Birth
If this is your first time coming to New York, take in this moment. Take the subway from the airport to wherever you’re going. Go slowly and take in that moment when you first emerge from the subway. You’ll see all the buildings and hear all of the horns and see all of the people hustling and bustling. It’s a moment you won’t forget.
-Madi Nauta
ask the real questions
Over and over we have heard that we should be asking smart questions. We should be asking questions to something we can’t find with a quick Google search. The #1 thing I learned from agency visits is not to ask a question, just to ask a question. Yes, we all want to be noticed. But, if your question isn’t smart then you’re not going to be noticed in the right way. The people in front of you at these agencies are some of the best in the business and you could be in their shoes one day. So, ask them something only they can know the answer to. Ask them what it’s like to have the job, not just how to get the job.
On another note, go get coffee with someone you admire. Face to face contact and interaction is the best way to really get the answers to those hard hitting questions. If you get a job in New York, how much do you need to get paid to survive? What does a day in your life look like? Along with the positives, what kind of challenges do you face at your job? I don’t have a job yet, should I start panicking? Should I move to New York and then look for a job? Should I have a job before I move to New York?
Contrary to what you’re probably thinking, the people in the industry want to help you. They’ve been where you’ve been and they know the struggle. Reach out to your people. Be respectful. Be professional. Be Grateful.
Best,
Madi Nauta
Getting to a Great Idea
The seed of every great campaign comes from a simple idea. How do we get to great ideas and sell them?
Some advice heard this week:
Don’t spend too much time on one idea in your first brainstorming session.
Tap into cultural moments.
Always say “Yes, and”.
Learn how to sell an idea, not just create one.
Natalie Mayer
Grand Central
Most days in New York started with the brisk walk to Grand Central Terminal. As we stood below the constellations painted on the ceiling, each person had a choice of where to travel and what train to take to get there.
As I was reflecting on my time in New York, it felt a little like this moment. In a few weeks, graduation will have come and gone. As all of us seniors sit in our cap and gowns, we are standing in grand central. Each person has the opportunity to choose their train. We will decide where to live, where to work, and what our life will look like each day.
As an advertising student, it can be easy to assume that agency life is the best possible path for everyone. After visiting both Squarespace and Pentagram, I feel like my thinking has greatly expanded. There are so many varied paths that a person can take to use the skills that we learn in the SOJC to make great shit happen. The possibilities are truly endless.
Natalie Mayer
Passion
In almost every agency I visited, the idea of setting time aside to do something you are passionate about was emphasized. This was the essential piece that could take a good portfolio to great. What makes you tick? What makes you interesting? What perspective can you bring that makes you valuable and unique? Passion projects or side hustles give those looking at your book a chance to see through the shiny Squarespace template and “powered by coffee” subhead and see who you truly are.
This advice really struck me. Even though I had heard this sentiment echoing through Allen’s 3rd floor, it was important to hear it from multiple agencies. It can be easy to get so caught up in the world of advertising that you forget to think about anything else. Stepping back and embracing your passions is what makes great work possible when you come back to the table.
Natalie Mayer
Create Joy.
At Red Paper Heart, this thought guides the team’s entire philosophy. They aim to bring out emotions in people that they don’t expect. Red Paper Heart creates interactive installations to engage people and draw out their inner child. They create anything from pools filled with ping pong balls to giant teddy bears that people can jump on and feel like kids again. Although Red Paper Heart differs greatly from many of the other agencies I visited, it helped me better understand how to create experiences for people instead of predictable advertising. I learned to observe what people want to do, not necessarily WHAT they think they should do.
Natalie Mayer
Foundation
foun·da·tion
/founˈdāSH(ə)n/
Noun
- An underlying basis or principal for something
I see foundation in so many forms all around us. Everyday. It comes in all shapes and sizes. Foundation in relationships with each other and ourselves is the base of starting up our networks and understanding our potential. Foundation in the concrete jungles spread around New York city. The foundation is what can set us apart from each other in different ways as well. After the anticipation leading into the experience I’m sure everyone was more than blown away from what the city had to offer. I understood each agencies foundation and what they brought to the table to educate us students with. They set up their foundation of expertise for us. We translated their words into our own thoughts to lead us into further laying our foundation as we move forward in the world. I am setting a goal for myself in setting a balanced, honest and strong foundation. Through this building process I will take the knowledge from agencies and continue to push myself professionally and develop a wide network of support for my foundation.
-Katherine James
A New… Yorker Take
Yeah, I hate the pun too. But the night is long and I’m somehow still jet lagged over 7 days into the trip.
I lost my wallet on Friday and somebody found it in Manhattan on Wednesday with all of my money ($400 cash) still inside of it. They messaged me on LinkedIn. HELLO?? Am I the luckiest person ever!? Yes. And I had so much help along the way - BIG shoutout to FLOCK. Amazing women. And the one and only Deb Morrison. Life. Savers.
I thought this was good karma at first. But then I thought… what bad karma did I deserve for the whole “losing-it-in-the-first-place” deal? I’ve come to a conclusion. It wasn’t a deal of karma, it was to teach me how to deal with insane situations - and I taught myself that I can handle myself even when things are tough.
Cool. The New York trip teaches us more than Ad. But so has this whole major. I couldn’t ask for more.
Talia Bootz