“Sell your life as a package”
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
SMILE.
People don’t smile in New York.
That’s the first thing I noticed as I rode the subway fresh off the plane. As I took in the scene, I saw the expressions of those around me were resigned in the face of the daily commute. I took this as a personal challenge. I made it my mission to smile at my co-passengers, and not stop until I got a smile back. And I did.
And I felt better.
Aiden Long
5.8.17
TAKEAWAYS before TAKEOFF
Well, it’s official. I’ll probably be the last one arriving in New York for this trip, right around 5 a.m. Monday morning after the Eugene Half-Marathon. That gives me even more time to reflect on what I’ve learned and what is still to come (and also stretch — a lot).
I think back to fall term when the SOJC was celebrating 100 years and they hosted a panel of some of the best creative minds in the industry. Helmed by our fearless leader Deb Morrison, the panel consisted of data experts, brand whisperers, prolific professors, and innovative leaders (seen below).
It was a cramped room with no seats left, full of alumni and students alike. The session lasted a little more than an hour but still, the information presented was palpable. Here are my main takeaways:
Storytelling is as ancient and essential as fire or the wheel
It’s one of the oldest, most important tools we have. It’s our power to wield it wisely.
Tell stories with data
We have more data in this lifetime then we even know how to comprehend. That’s our job. Decipher it, use it, change the world with it.
Superficial is the complete lack of caring to make an ad resonate
There’s good work and then there’s great work. We’re aiming to make important work.
We have to make the environment personal — aim for the heart
For so many the environment doesn’t resonate as an issue, it simply doesn’t affect people. It’s time to make it connect on a deeper level for each and every person. The environment is not some distant issue; it’s here, it’s imperative, it’s right now.
Read, read, read
Hence my kindle. Next up, “The Sympathizer.“
With that, here we go.
- Kyle Heiner, 5.5.17