So, you want to be an advertising professional? Of course, you do, I mean why else would you have chosen to major in it. The goal of this blog post isn't to scare you away from advertising or cause any anxiety for those getting ready to graduate. I simply want to share some of the realities I ran into during my time as an intern at one of Dallas' most prominent agencies.
1. Advertising is hard work,
It may not seem like it when you're in school working on projects with your friends getting ample assistance from them and your professor. However, during your first couple of weeks at an agency, you'll realize you're in a tough industry. It is especially tough at the junior level where there's a lot more at stake than just a bad grade. You'll be doing a lot of heavy lifting to complete all the tasks given to you throughout the week.
2. Academic work does not equal professional work.
School gives you a great foundation and a basic understanding of some work you'll be doing but there's a lot more to learn. This is mostly for those in the account executive and strategy disciplines. Academia makes account service seem like a cakewalk but in reality, the account people are the brain and heart of the operation. This means there's a lot of responsibility and weight on your shoulders because, without you, nothing functions.
3. Advertising is high-risk, high-reward.
Although you'll be doing a lot of panicking trying to tread water during your first few weeks as a professional, once you get the hang of it, the reward is worth it. There's something unique about the joy you feel after seeing your client's eyes light up after a meeting or pitch. Those late nights in the office, and yes, I said nights, the heavy scrutiny from your superiors, the coffee addiction you've developed, all somehow seem worth it in the end.
You've made a solid choice going into advertising. Just keep in mind your career isn't going to be all fun, games, and drinks in the middle of the workday.
