Throughout this trip we’ve had the opportunity to visit plenty of agencies, who’s size has varied from the intimate and budding to the expansive and vast.  

There’s often a connotation, especially as students, that names carry inherent worth. The larger or more prestigious the agency - the better.

That’s all been but dispelled after this trip. Often times, this can come across as bitter or envious of what large agencies have to offer. No - this isn’t a knock on large agencies. Large agencies deserve their pedigree, as they have produced work that has allowed them to enter the upper echelon.

It’s about the symbiotic relationship that exists between what we as students are seeking from the agency experience. Some seek the ability to enter a world that has a foundation in strong clients, large networks and the budgets to create cinematic campaigns. Others are hungry for initiative, drive, the leadership capabilities of being the catalyst that can launch a smaller place into the stratosphere. Both opportunities provide different challenges, opportunities, and payoffs.

What I’ve learned is that the us vs. them mentality does not exist. You don’t choose sides when you choose an agency - you’re still entering a family tree of people who are invested in the success of everyone. The careers of so many professionals are fluid and weave through agencies of all sizes and creeds, but the network remains and only grows.

Seibold 5.9.19