Reminiscing

As the time gets closer for us to embark on our journey to the concrete jungle, I can’t help but reflect a little on things I wish I had done or knew before going on the trip last year. As a Junior, going on the trip is extremely insightful and pushes you to do your absolute best to come back in the fall and amaze your classmates, professors, recruiters, and even judges. This trip is an opportunity for you to network on such a unique platform with people from big agencies to small agencies, but most importantly, with each other. 

One of the biggest things I can urge everyone going is to set aside times after the agency visits and talk with one another about the agencies you went to versus the ones that your peers went to. Take notes, because collaborating and decompressing and hearing the excitement in the voices of your peers can give you a feel for what those places are like. I made some of my greatest relationships with Lina Rode, Tucker Stosic, Jocelyn Parker, and many others that I didn’t know before the trip. Through this, they have been my biggest supporters along with some other not mentioned peers this year and push me to do better and I hope I can do that for them too. 

Another big thing for me was to ask questions. I think it is essential to ask what is on your mind and prepare questions before going. 9 times out of 10, someone has the same question as you and might not be as willing to speak up. Not only does this benefit you, it can benefit everyone. Also, the people WANT your questions and are curious about your perceptions of the industry and agency just as you are curious about their life and the agency. If you want to get the most out of the trip, coming from someone who wishes they would have capitalized more on it last year, ask questions, hangout with people you don’t necessarily know, and be genuinely curious. It will make the trip that is already so exciting and memorable, that much better. If you time, take people up on coffee walks, or going to get $1 pizza, or take the subway with someone who posted that you don’t know. Connection and communication, friends. 

Looking forward to a wonderful trip with all of y’all and seeing the city in a new light. If you ever find a hole in the wall place, let me know and let’s chat about the agencies you adore and maybe the ones that will surprise you. 

All of the best as we prep for the upcoming trip. 

James McAndrew. 4.27.2017