Puzzles

How do you solve a puzzle where the pieces and solution are constantly changing? What about if the puzzle gets larger with every passing day? You learn from the best.

My peers, many of them also being family, have given me so much up to this point. I’ve seen the sun rise from Allen with some, and shouted words of anger and happiness with others. Through each experience, though, they have helped me with my puzzle, even when they are busy working on their own. New York, you’ll see that they’re talented and gifted. There’s no question about that. I hope you’ll also see the humility, empathy, and leadership that these people bring to the table.

They have taught me that I don’t need to worry about solving my puzzle, because I can decide the pieces. I’m going into New York with a head full of optimism and a mind empty of expectations. I’m here to make connections, and to find my niche or at least discover more paths that might lead to it.

This puzzle of a career is intimidating, but the possible solutions are unending. When I heard that agencies are creating new jobs in new categories and fields every year, I knew ad was right for me. Now I have the opportunity to continue to learn and shape myself. Can’t wait.

Noah Andrews 5.3.2018

It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

Excitement and nostalgia are always closely knit for me. Whenever I find myself closer to my goals, I always reminisce on the path that led me. It was only a few months ago that I started my journey in advertising and after endless pivots I have found myself on my way to NYC. That thought alone could put a smile on my face at any time. Every doubt made me want this reality even more. 

When I woke up this morning, I discovered that a large chunk of my content had disappeared from my portfolio. What perfect timing with the NYC website recently launching (website team you guys rock). With this challenge, I freaked out for a few minutes (Sorry Deb) and then I put the pieces back together. I decided when I joined advertising that I would take on any challenge, big or small.

The same goes for opportunities. I’m welcoming this trip to NYC with commitment, intrigue, professionalism and joy. This is far more than a possible internship or job. This is an experience of a lifetime that I get to enjoy with my incredibly talented and hard working peers. 

-Allie Bottinelli    

New year, new questions.

I left #uonyc17 with a new outlook on the city I had always idealized. I left feeling like working and living in New York City was a scary but attainable goal.

One year later, that dream is coming true, and I’m moving to Manhattan in June. This time around, I’m excited but the feeling is different. The upcoming week feels less like an open-ended adventure and more like a testing ground. 

What can I learn to help me in the next stage of my life? Will the people I meet become long-term friends and connections? Will New York City ever begin to feel like home?

I’m excited to find out.

Rachel Benner ✨

I can’t stop thinking about how lucky I am (and we all are) to be a part of a program that consistently goes above and beyond the traditional college experience. I am so proud to be going with this class, an amazing group of creative thinkers who have inspired me and taught me so much. It is such a privilege to be a part of a major where trips like this are made possible. I don’t know what to expect which is exciting and a little stressful. I know that no matter what happens, I will remember this experience for the rest of my life. Regardless of what happens after the trip or even after graduation in June, I know that the advice that I get and the people I meet will help shape the path I take in my life and my career. I am ready to go and be inspired by the place where James Murphy made some of the best music (in my opinion) of all time. Smell ya later Eugene! 

Raven Heinz-Garcia

  The closer we get to this trip, the more I am struck by how it still doesn’t feel real. I am almost unable to wrap my head around the idea that in two short days, I will be boarding a plane and beginning one of the biggest adventures of my career thus far. It’s one of those wonderful times in life where you can’t help but rub your eyes, still dumbstruck by the fact that you’re awake: the fact that this isn’t a dream.
  But in the face of such a dream, I can’t help but feel small. This is BIG. The adventure itself is big, but New York City is downright huge. We will be visiting some of the largest agencies in the world. We will be absorbing massive amounts of information. However, this smallness is a familiar feeling, not unlike looking at a particularly starry night sky. I am suddenly aware that I am a small part in a big universe, but I am also amongst the stars.

Sarah Weiss

5.3.18

In the week leading up to my flight to New York, I have balanced about 75 different things at once. It gets stressful at times, but that is what this career is. Trying to figure out where to stay in New York three days before you leave is not optimal, but everything works out. I love traveling, and haven’t seen New York since I was in the 3rd grade. This time I am not going as a tourist, I am going as a sponge. I’m trying to soak up as much information as I possibly can about the advertising world in New York. As someone who started the ad program at U of O in September, a lot is still out there that I don’t know about. I want to learn it all. See you soon NYC.

Tim Vandehey

05.03.2018

Insecurities

I first met Steve O’Leary in October 2017 on the third floor of Allen Hall at the University of Oregon. I was with a group of young advertising professionals who were in the room to learn from a man with a wealth of advertising experience. After going through introductions, we were prompted by Steve to list our greatest fear. When it was my turn to share, I explained my long standing fear of my disability prohibiting me from being successful in advertising. O’Leary’s response echoed a version of what my professors had told me before.  He said, “Ben, Look at me. What do you see?” “A man with a lot of advertising experience,” I answered. “Yes, but I’m also short, fat and bald.” he added. He continued, saying he had been that way for a long time. But he didn’t let his insecurities slow him down. Since then, our conversations turned to resumes and internship applications. But on May 1, 2018, our conversation circled back to that fall day. “How can I articulate my insecurity as a strength when talking with people in New York?” I asked. He told me to use my insecurity to explain how I can help the agencies reach new audiences. My two takeaways from our conversation about New York: 1) Let my insecurities help me answer “why advertising?” 2) Get a Sabrett hot dog from a street vendor.

- Ben Knauer | 5/2/18 | #UONYC2018

Getting in that NYC frame of mind…

-Brenna Fox

May 2nd, 2018

FEW DAYS LEFT.

It’s a little ridiculous that we’re already so close to this trip… I guess time does really fly when you’re having fun. In the past year I have met peers and extraordinary staff that have really shaped my character and who I am now. I really can’t thank everyone enough for the impact they’ve caused. Although i came in late into the Ad program, and my style is a little different and weird from the norm, the community has been extremely welcoming and amicable!

With that being said, #UONYC2018 IS GOING TO BE A BIG ONE. The team we got this year is filled with so much talent, so many people I look up to. These past months leading up I went ahead and started looking at thecreativeham.com to get in touch with potential firms and companies in New York as well as San Francisco. Due to taking this initiative I was able to get in touch with CutWater and Camp+King. These experiences helped me hone in the fact that I may want to go towards a production firm rather than a creative firm. Now I am more clear in where and what I want to be and do, whereas before I was struggling to pick a specific category.

Going into New York I am ready to experience and soak up the city, company, people, and vibes. I have never been to the East Coast and am ready to see if this is a place where I want to live in the near future or not. I even intend to bring my own passion project campaign I am currently doing to the BIG APPLE. FIO WILL BE THERE TO TAKE ON THE BIG APPLE!

I HOPE EVERYBODY BRINGS THEIR A GAME TO THE BIG A! LET’S SHOW THEM WHAT WE’RE MADE OF!

- Julian Sho Watanabe-Neis (homergogo, J-Spice, Sho, & FIO)