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Someone wise once said, “shit flows downhill . . . and you’re at the bottom.”
As a fourth-year Commerce student studying Global Management in university, you tend to feel like the king of the playground.
As an intern, you kind of feel like that quote above. Although university has been a necessity and a pivotal factor in my incessant pursuit of personal development, nothing has made me pull up my pants higher than this internship in accounts at the fervent Grip Limited. (Ed. Vlad means this literally. He wears capris like every day.)
Inspired by countless TED Talks and with an imminent academic title of “Global Management,” how could I not think that I was ready to take over the world?
It wasn’t until halfway through my second week here that I was slapped in the face and kicked in the junk when I was asked to sit on a brand bridge brainstorming meeting for an aesthetic-enhancing product directed towards younger ladies. This was basically a sit-down with senior creative and account folk breaking down the brand to its very foundation, including a dissection of the target market.
This was an enlightening experience to say the least; very informal. Naive and new to the agency, I didn’t quite realize that I was surrounded by a good number of the firm’s partners – I guess the denim jeans and casual Ts were not a dead giveaway.
Eager to make my mark I was awaiting the right opportunity to “drop some knowledge.” The right moment never came along because the real men and women were blasting off queries and inquiries left and right, each individually but collectively working as a team chipping away at a blank canvas to form some striking masterpiece. Basically, these middle-aged men broke down the female 15-year-old psyche to its very essence.
I said one or two things that I cannot recollect, which is for the better since they’re definitely not worth repeating. I guess the main message here is that while I may be ambitious and eager to go BIG, I realized that I am still very young and have a lifetime of knowledge to pursue.
There are also a few other things I’ve learned, which can be indirectly interpreted from this situation.
1. Expose yourself.
“How did I get into that brainstorming meeting?” I asked. How did I end up writing this article? I exposed myself. Talk to senior creative directors, and if you’re lucky like I am you’ll even get to greet the odd partner with a “good morrow” here and there. Follow up with a confident head nod. Send out a mass email asking if people from different departments are in need of some facilitation. Remember to smile.
(Note: do not overstep your boundaries. If you are assigned to a specific team, task or project, make sure your job is completed to the utmost of your capabilities, and then some, before you go wandering off.)
2. Give it to ‘em.
While you have your whole future to fine tune your skills on the way to being the next big Ad Exec, you’ve only got four months to show them what you’re made of. So SPEAK UP. It’s sometimes difficult to find opportunities to demonstrate your skills. For that reason, you must pursue them. Don’t test the water with your big toe. Do a double-front flip off the diving board and make a splash. Show people what you’re capable of, and along the way you’ll learn . . . even if only for your sake.
3. Always grow.
Experience is an essential factor that makes an individual a great ad man/woman. Thus, absorb everything you can. Be patient. Be ambitious. Be diligent . . . and you’ll get there. So I’m told.
An intern, now wise, says, “give me your shit, I’ll turn it into gold.”
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July 9, 2010 @ 9:37 am
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Robin Soukvilay
July 9, 2010 @ 10:01 am
I thought this article was great, reminding interns in all places to be humble and ambitious. Cool!
Bob
July 9, 2010 @ 10:12 am
All good lessons whether you’ve been in the business 2 months or 20 years. Also, the belief that “you’ll get there” is what will sustain you in the business because one never really “gets there”. Media & consumer behaviours are a moving target so don’t count on an absolute understanding of anything. Keep learning.
Good post.
Brook Johnston
July 9, 2010 @ 11:19 am
Great post, Vlad.
So, what’s the secret strategy behind landing such an internship?
Vlad Dascalu
July 9, 2010 @ 11:43 am
All you have to do is go after it, literally.
Some people might suggest asking to do an informative interview with an agency you admire; better yet an Ad (wo)man you admire. When you’re across from that individual demonstrate some knowledge/talent and show an exuberant amount of passion.
Just go for it. The industry is all about hustling with straight heart.
albert
July 19, 2010 @ 5:57 pm
Vlad,
This may be out of date, I have heard that it is important to call people mr and ms, no matter how informal the workplace during the interview process – is this correct – I don’t want to come off as a stiff shirt when my interview comes around
Albert
Ian Mackenzie
July 19, 2010 @ 8:17 pm
Hey Albert,
My 2 cents: calling your interviewer Mr. or Ms. no matter what the vibe strikes me as being too rigid. Part of a good interview is proving you’re a cultural fit with the organization. So going hard on the formality in an informal environment might backfire.
If your prospective boss introduces herself as “Sarah”, you’re probably good to call her that.
There are plenty of ways to show reverence without sounding stuffy. Knowing a lot about the company and the work they do is one of them.