10 Things I Learned in NYC (Life Version)
1. Don’t overpack. This applies to suitcases and schedules. Travel light, and give yourself free time to enjoy unexpected adventures.
2. Leave early. Seriously, leave very early for anything that you plan to do in NYC. The subway likes to arrive on its own time and NY traffic makes car transportation difficult.
3. Spend time alone. Explore the city on your own. Sit and people watch. Reflect on your day.
4. Talk to strangers, when it feels right. Obviously, be smart about talking to people you don’t know. But, initiate a conversation with the woman sitting next to you on the bench in Central Park. You might learn that she works in the Holland film industry and is filming the next season of the Dutch Bachelor.
5. Smile at people. New York can make people tough, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t show kindness to each other. A small gesture can change a person’s day.
6. Network, even when you’re outside of the office.
7. Look up. I know it makes you look like a tourist in the city. But, every now and then, look up to get a new perspective.
8. Try new things. New food, a new direction, new experiences.
9. Listen. Don’t be the one in the room who talks the most. Listen to others’ insights and choose your responses carefully.
10. Be frugal. Remember that money and time have a limit. Don’t waste them on things that don’t make you happy. Save for the experiences that will change your life for the better.
Emily Foster.
05.15.17
Chicago
This past weekend 108 students left New York and flew home to Eugene, OR. I was one of those students, however, unlike everyone else I found myself with a 15 hour overnight layover in the Chicago airport due to weather. I was exhausted and just wanted to get back to my bed. As I look back on those 15 hours in Chicago stuck sleeping on the floor I now can look back on that moment and realize its greater meaning. I realized that those 15 hours is a reflection on how advertising works. You go through your campaign thinking everything is going perfect and then the client throws a curveball at you and then you have to adjust. Then another curveball and another and another. That is the beauty of advertising it isn’t linear, it is changing and testing you to see how you react. This industry is based off of how you react and push to be do better. You’ll get thrown crazy curveballs you never saw coming, like a 15 hour layover, and that is why we are drawn to it. We are drawn to the late nights and the heart racing moments of getting something right. I believe that to love advertising you have to have a little crazy in you to thrive in this industry. So next time life or a client throws a curveball at you, take a moment and embrace the crazy and then push to do better.
Topacio Beerhalter 05.15.2017
10 Things I Learned in NYC (Career Version)
1. Make something you love.
2. Whatever you do, have fun. If you don’t, then why are you in this business?
3. Relentless optimism is always key. Don’t compare yourself to others.
4. If you don’t believe what you’re saying, no one will.
5. Don’t limit yourself to a job description. Be useful in any way you can. Art directors shouldn’t be afraid to write and writers shouldn’t be afraid to design.
6. You will be wrong most of the time. Make mistakes and fail gracefully, then keep failing.
7. Have a point of view on issues and trends. Be ready to offer your insights during brainstorming sessions.
8. Stay humble and hungry. Don’t let your ego get in the way and always be curious.
9. Know more about your craft than the next person. Do research. Work quickly. Make good work.
10. Remember that this industry is a small one. Don’t burn bridges. Help out others when you can. Do little things like sending thank you cards or treating someone to coffee. It’s not a competition or a race. Rather, it’s a journey for everyone. Remember that we’re all one family.
Emily Foster.
05.15.17
Final Thoughts
This week has really changed my view on which pathway I would like to take after graduation. All of these agencies were very kind in opening their doors and spending time to show how the industry runs and to give us creative insight. Many of them showed that despite being trained in one area, one can still move around and explore different parts of the process. This allows one to really find out what they enjoy and narrow down their best skill-set. I feel like it is also important to dabble in other things because who knows, maybe the path you initially wanted wasn’t the best situation. My biggest takeaway is be open and by being open you can creatively problem solve and that gives you a greater ability to tackle ideas. Thank you to everyone that made this possible and I will definitely see you soon New York.
Thien Vo
Some of the best advice I heard from the trip was “ask who is not there, who should be a part of the conversation and that innovation comes from diversity.” This is something that can make ads even stronger, especially if one knows who their target audience is. Without fully checking, it can create sloppiness and a gap with the company. This is where teamwork also comes into play, these teams are able to really offer different viewpoints and if they cannot work together, then a wall is hit. A cultural conversation is how one can stay relevant and that this is a thing that changes often.
Thien Vo
Food
Where do I even begin. There is so much diversity in the food that I was basically in heaven. You could just walk a few blocks and be transported into different regions of the world. At one point I was in little Italy and next thing I know I’m sitting in a Vietnamese restaurant in Chinatown. I think the food just speaks for how this city represents the diversity in America and what others in America are lacking. I think food is a good start in a conversation that this country needs right now and by discussing issues over a meal can create a good pathway in understanding the complexity of our countries make-up.
Thien Vo
56.2
I do not know how accurate the tracker on my cellphone is, but according to Apple, I walked about 56.2 miles while in New York. The pace of NYC is light years ahead of Eugene. People are not joking around when they need to get from point A to B. However, as much as I like driving, the city gives me way too much anxiety. The honking, the rushed attempts to turn and honk while pedestrians are crossing show how much time really is money in this city. One also has to be on high alert at all times because of this, but it kind of adds some fun to the commute. I also learned that never trust siri, and that the subway can either be your best friend or worst nightmare.
Thien Vo
Translation
I was blown away by this place. They seemed more invested in the conversation and insight rather than just showing their reel, and awards. I enjoyed how open they were to questions and how willing they were to help give us the most insight as possible. It also helped that many of them seemed to be our age and able to speak among the process of applying to these jobs. To touch back on diversity, this was the most diverse panel that spoke to us, and that made me so much more comfortable and welcoming. It was also really cool to hear them discuss the importance of side projects. Every one of them had something that they were interested in on the side; which most of them still work on. Interesting to hear how I should incorporate my djing into my website as well. Never would I thought that could be added to my site.
Thien Vo
Teamwork
I cannot stress how much this was emphasized across the board. Teamwork makes the dream work. This industry seems to be very team driven and by creating good chemistry, the employees are more likely to create work that is impactful. People who are not willing to work well in a team do not last long and are found to be detrimental to the group productivity. Work environment seems to be an important factor to this as well. Most spaces seem to be open and cater towards an work space that allows conversation easily. I am not a fan of not being constrained to a small cubicle where there is no natural light.
Thien Vo
Havas
Havas was a neat agency that featured a large open space and in house production. This was cool to see because many companies seemed to use freelance and out-source the work. During the tour, they also discussed how one had the opportunity to apply to work in different offices around the world, which would create such a unique way to enhance one’s advertising work. Different countries would offer different perspectives, and that way more people could be reached. The panel offered some great insights about how being a team is important in creating good work. The industry cannot have people with overly egotistical agendas because that creates a toxic environment where no ad can thrive.
Thien Vo