After having a few days to settle back into the slower-paced lifestyle I currently live in Eugene, Oregon, I have had a chance to reflect on all that I discovered and cultivated during my week in New York City. Here are my top 10 take-aways:

1. I learned that as an aspiring account manager, I think I will focus on applying to larger agencies versus smaller agencies after graduation. This is because I discovered that smaller agencies are great because employees get to work on many different accounts. However, the thought of managing numerous accounts sounds daunting. I realize now that I might prefer to manage a few large accounts with multiple account managers at a larger agency instead.

2. I realized that living in Greenwich Village is the ultimate goal in life. If I ever find myself living in one of those amazing brownstones one day, I know I’ve made it.

3. It is often easier and more convenient to walk to destinations rather than subway or taxi. Therefore, I quickly discovered NYC is one of the most exhausting cities, jaywalking is real and true New Yorkers wear insoles.

4. Another aspect I discovered is the power of a project manager. Although I do believe account managing is the position for me, I didn’t even know that there was an internal position like that of project managing. As a result, I am going to take this new discovery and hopefully implement it into Allen Hall Advertising, which I think will be extremely helpful in some of the larger accounts we work on.

5. Serendipity has, by far, the most amazing desserts I have ever seen. The crazy aesthetics comparable to Alice in Wonderland don’t hurt in the experience, either.

6. I found out the hard way that nothing is cheap, or free for that matter, in NYC. Whether it’s a pack of gum or a nice dinner, I was swiping my card with great pain, but no regrets.

7. I learned that there’s a large population of Duck alumni living in Manhattan and Brooklyn. I also found that these people have a strong sense of school pride and will do everything in their power to support each other and help newly graduated Ducks assimilate to East Coast life. It’s a pretty special network that I felt grateful to be a part of.

8. Stand on the side of the escalators in the subway unless you want to get run-over. That’s a big one.

9. I learned the importance of carrying around a notebook and jotting down ideas that come to mind. I never knew how quickly ideas come and go, so it’s best to write them down while you can.

10. Lastly, I discovered how many amazing students are in the SOJC ad program and what great talent I am blessed to be surrounded by. I started the trip feeling like a little fish in a big pond. I left with so much more knowledge about the industry, a better understanding of where I see myself after graduation and so many more friends with similar goals and dreams that I do than I ever anticipated. To say this experience was incredible would be an understatement.

Meg Meagher