The Post NYC Game Plan
After a week of networking, learning and absorbing information from industry professionals it seems only natural to set some sort of plan. I feel incredibly lucky to have attended this trip as a junior because my peers and I now have the unique opportunity to put what we learned into action for the next year. I think it is especially important to develop a game plan as we head off for summer in a few short weeks. Personally, I know that summer can be consumed by working and catching up with family and friends although it is crucial that we continue to build and develop our skills and portfolios. Here’s a sneak peak of my post NYC game plan.
Takeaway 5: Have a game plan.
-Emma McBride// Junior Art Director
Never Settle
You shouldn’t get too comfortable whether that is with your portfolio, your career, where you live, your work/ life balance. You should always be working to stay relevant and inspired in both your career and personal life. Even if you have found a good place, continue to develop your skills and network because you never know when you might be looking to make a change.
Takeaway #4: Never settle
-Emma McBride// Junior Art Director
Hard to believe that seven individual days can seem so long, but a week can fly by. As a senior graduating in just a few weeks, I was sure that I would leave New York feeling more intimidated about entering the real world and diving into the realities of the industry. This trip completely changed my perspective for the better. Every person I met had an entirely different story to tell about how they arrived at their place in advertising. Not all of them started with a coveted internship straight out of school. Not one of them was perfectly traditional. It’s easy to feel stuck or uncreative when you’re so consumed by post-grad plans (or lack thereof), but the people I met and experiences I had this past week have inspired me to keep pushing myself. Work hard, play hard, and things will all work out.
- Erin Fogerty
all about collaboration
If there’s one thing that stood out most throughout the week, it’s that the best work was created through a serious commitment to inclusion and collaboration. This could be achieved through a “flat” creative department, working more closely with strategists throughout the creative process, or simply getting to know and understand the roles of those outside your realm of expertise. The difference in the quality and the cohesiveness of the work shines through in the best way possible, all because of a bit of extra effort and time put into communicating with peers - and that, in my opinion, is how I believe the process should always be.
- Erin Fogerty
Networking
Blog five: Networking
Flying home today and I am more clear and confident about my future. I learned what aspects I loved about agencies and those I didn’t. Sometimes I walked into a place and just had that great feeling and there were other places that I didn’t have that. Each conversation I had with people I can genuinely say I learned something from. New York exceeded my expectations. I learned very quickly in the week that networking is everything. Hearing about how people were chosen for jobs most the time involved knowing a person who knows a person. I’ve never been taught the right and wrongs of networking, but in a way I don’t think there are any. The connections I am coming home with are a product of the genuine conversation, interest, and curiosity that I had. There is nothing worse than forced conversation and I am proud of my time in New York because I added some really amazing and interesting people to my network. I am still not sure where I will be going or what I will be doing after graduation, but this trip made me feel better about that and gave me faith that with hard work, persistence, and networking I will get there.
Cheers,
Mackenzie Dowling
5/12/2018
No Linear Path
Blog Four: No Linear Path
One of my visits today a speaker said, “Don’t put the pressure on the first job to check every box!!” This resonated with me because my mind has been racing trying to figure out exactly what I want to be. Thinking about things like what role, what type of agency, what location, etct. After hearing her speak I realized she was right. The first job is not going to check every box I have. The first job and some after are for me to learn, learn, learn. Learn about the industry and the position, learn new skills, and learn about myself and what I want. Especially when hearing about each person’s path on how they ended up where they are now. Two individuals I spoke with started as accountants and are now doing creative work. There is no linear path, and I have heard that a lot this week. I think that is something really important to teach people even at the beginning of their education. I could study one subject for four years and end up in a completely different field. Hearing about all the different paths and experiencing really assures me that I will get to where I want to be, but also, it tells me that it is my path and I can make it as unique as I need it to be while figuring out my role, my value to the industry, and what I want.
Cheers,
Mackenzie Dowling
5/10/2018
Grateful
Blog Three: Grateful
The best thing about this trip is that I’ve been able to talk to my peers and learn a lot from them. I am so impressed with each person’s story, I feel very lucky to be a part of this group. I have to say, it is easy to get caught up in hearing about everyone’s new jobs and internships and then compare yourself. It is an ugly thing to do and most the time is never beneficial. But being away from school and together in New York has given me the opportunity to spend more time with people and learn more from them. From bonding with my roommates about how delusional we are after the long days, witnessing one of you give up your sweatshirt to a homeless man when you thought no one was around, to hearing about your individual goals and dreams for your careers. What a cool group of people here! I am very grateful for each moment.
Cheers,
Mackenzie Dowling
5/8/2018
Persistence
Blog two: Persistence
The days are going by fast. Running back and forth, up and down Manhattan is exhausting, but there have been those important moments during each visit so far where something is said that really resonates with me. I just came from the Flock event and I really enjoyed it. Seeing that community of Alumni and their friends was a comforting thing to experience when across the country from home.
Today after reflecting off of the conversations and panels I realized I heard many times that persistence is key. Several of the conversations I had today shocked me when a women said she emailed an agency everyday for a year until they brought her in for an interview. Another conversations a woman said she applied four times to get an internships and then after that another 5 times to get a full time job after the internship. These conversations with these people about their experiences have assured me that: 1: I will get an internship with the right place at the right time and 2: Do not give up. This industry is competitive, but for a good reason. Being persistent when going after what I want is important.
Cheers,
Mackenzie Dowling
5/6/2018
Goals
Blog One: Goals
So much has led up to this trip. I’m excited, eager and nervous. This week, instead up building expectations I have set small goals for myself. My first goal is to ask at two smart question during each agency visit. My second goal is to reflect after each agency visit if I could see myself in a role there. My third goal is to meet more of the students on the trip and get to know them better. On this trip I want to learn more about myself and what I want to contribute to this industry. I want to reflect after each day answering questions such as where would my skills be most valuable, would I be happy waking up everyday and doing work at this agency, can I see myself creating a life in New York, etc. I think this trip for me personally is less to strive to impress to get a job, but really to network and have conversations that help me learn more about myself and what I want after school.
Cheers,
Mackenzie Dowling
5/5/2018
Dear Alumni,
With graduation only weeks away, it seems as if college is about to be something of the past. But, having seen the generosity shown by the staff and alumni this week, I know now that University of Oregon will be a part of me and so many other students and alumni for a long time. I feel incredibly lucky knowing that so many past SOJC students are excelling in their careers and are an available and caring support system to all us soon to be grads. Being able to have honest conversations with professionals working in the fields we are aspiring to be in was truly a once in a lifetime experience. So I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to organize such an incredible and inspiring week. I hope to be in your shoes one day and be able to help the next class of advertising students find their way either in New York or somewhere else.
xoxo, Lindsay
5.13.18