I had the unique opportunity to meet with Ayaka Terakawa, an Art Director with Analog/Folk in Manhattan. I asked her for advice on my post-grad journey and applying for jobs. She told me that I needed to look at my portfolio and especially my resume and about me page. “Does it say ‘I am ready to be in _____ city, right now?” She explained that it’s hard to say “no” to someone who knows exactly what they want. Hearing this from someone in the field really resonated with me. I said, “I’ll take any job!” and she promptly said, “No, don’t just take ‘any job’, take the job that you intentionally mold yourself to fit.” Ayaka is originally from Portland and went to Portland State University. She said she was able to make the transition to NYC by saying things like “I AM an Art Director, and I WILL move to NYC”…no hesitations. Upon being hired, her agency paid for her move into the city. She said that even though they knew she was new and had a lot to learn, they knew she would try her absolute best to produce the best work that she could. She said she literally said, “I will relocate right now, because I truly love New York.” I realized that I was selling myself short because I hadn’t thought of myself as an entire package beyond the portfolio but also as a person who really WANTS to be where they are. 30 minutes of conversation and advice from another woman of color in the job that I want to be in was the most valuable experience for me by far. I never would have even had this conversation with her if I wasn’t on the NYC trip. So grateful.

-Aven-itza De Primavera