More Advertising Jobs Than Meet The Eye

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More Advertising Jobs Than Meet The Eye

The previous two years, I attended an advertising programwith the hopes of obtaining a job in advertising. There was only one problem; I didn’t know what jobs there were in advertising. I knew there was a creative side and a business side, and if Mad Men taught me anything, there were art directors and copywriters on the creative side, and account coordinators, directors, etc. on the other. Thatshow took place in the 60’s, and my experience at said program seemed to live within a similar era.

From the beginning, there was a definite divide between the two sides. Some faculty went so far as to call the other the “dark side.” I know I’m not alone, when I say this divide hindered not only the essence of what I believe at advertising agency should evoke, but took away from learning what one could achieve in the industry.

I believe I’m a creative person, but because I felt I wasn’t strong in art directing or copy writing, I was under the impression that I wasn’t “creative.” As a result, I pledged my allegiance to the business side of the program. Now two months into my internship at John St., and I realize that not only does this faux-interstellar ad war not exist, but that there are numerous ways for one to be creative without being a “creative.”

Where does this leave me? Well I’ve always said it’s never a bad thing to not like something. Knowing that only gets you closer to what you do. So while account services may not be my ending, it’s definitely my beginning**.

My closing advice (a quote from Confucius) may be cliché, but it’s true: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

*UPDATE*

(So do I know where my future in advertising will lead? No. But it will be fun. That’s for sure.)