Uni- A Third Year’s Perspective

Uni. It’s all about the grades right? The First at the end of the tunnel?

That was my perspective when I first started Uni in 2008, and I’m sure this rings a bell for a lot of students. But, looking back in retrospect at my University life as I approach my final term I thought I’d share some of the insights I’ve gained from my 3 years of study.

 

Slightly controversial but my advice is: don’t worry about grades. There’s a tendency for Uni students to learn tactically, learning just enough to get them the grade they want, but by doing this they are missing the point of higher education. Worry about learning, immersing yourself in the topic and expanding you’re knowledge. Approach things from a different angle, challenge existing knowledge and add to it and don’t be embarrassed to be a geek! Enjoy the experience, you probably won’t get another chance to dedicate three years or more to learning about a subject you love so make the most of it whilst you can! Plus, if you’re truly interested in learning about your subject the grades will come naturally.

 

Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’re lecturers are all experts in your area of study and this may be one of the few opportunities you’ll have to pick the brains of some of the leading academics in your area of interest. If you show a real interest and arrive with insightful questions your lecturers will be happy to chat to you, and I always found that I learnt more this way than I ever did by sitting in a lecture theatre.

 

You’re paying a lot of money for higher education so make sure you leave it a wiser, more rounded and more interesting person than when you entered, as this your skills and experiences are far more valuable to you and to future employers than a number on a piece of paper.

 

Particularly within the advertising industry, agencies are looking for people who can offer them a new perspective, who can bring new ideas and fresh insight. Most importantly, they’re looking for something who gets things done, isn’t afraid to jump in at the deep end and get their hands dirty and, most importantly, is the type of person you’d be happy to work with everyday. If you’re hoping to go into advertising, learning to work in a team and get on with a range of people will be hugely beneficial, and your ‘likeability’ may well be the deciding factor in offering you that first agency job.

 

So in conclusion, I’d like to share some words of wisdom that the Director of Strategy at an integrated agency in London once offered me:

“Your CV will get you an interview, but your personality will get you the job”

5 Tips for Bagging an Advertising Internship

As I was lucky enough to spend my Summer interning at a number of fantastic agencies, I thought I’d share some tips on bagging yourself your dream internship.

Firstly,  I would like to say to anyone who is considering applying for an advertising internship: go for it! I have been lucky enough to intern at a variety of amazing agencies this Summer, including Adam and Eve London and McCann Erickson Bristol, and it has been a fantastic experience. Although my internships were short, I met a lot of interesting people who I will be keeping in contact with, and have had some brilliant experiences. Most importantly I’ve learnt an incredible amount over a really short space of time, and now feel like I’m ready to hit the ground running when I graduate.

For anybody looking to gain some work experience in advertising, I advise you to consider these 5 tips.

1. Think Outside The Box

Don’t just go for the obvious. Applying  for advertised internship schemes is great but try to do your own research. Find agencies whose work you really love, and make the first move. This can take longer but trust me it will be worth it. The fact that you have used your initiative gives a great first impression and you will come across as genuinely interested in the agency, which counts for a lot!

2. Persistence is Key

Advertising is a competitive industry, so try not to get disheartened if you don’t get replies straight away. Staff are often very busy, and your application is unlikely to be at the top of their priority list so it’s up to you to ensure that your application gets read by the correct person. A good tip is always to follow up an application letter or email with a phone call, as this shows your keen.

3. Go Regional

For those who can’t afford to live in/commute to London, don’t despair as there are a lot of regional ad agencies which produce some fantastic work! McCann Erickson, Golley Slater and TBWA all have offices outside London, as do many other agencies, so its worth seeing if there are any agencies in your local area.

4. Think Small

It’s worth spending time at both large and small agencies to get a feel for what suits you best. I know classmates who have interned at both large and small agencies, and had a much more hands on experience at the smaller agencies, learning much more as a result.

5. Milk It!

If you are lucky enough to get an internship my last piece of advice would be to make sure you learn as much as possible from the experience. Jump at every opportunity, learn as much as possible from your peers and ask for advice on getting into the industry. They’ve given you the chance to learn firsthand about the industry, but how much you learn from the experience  is entirely up to you!

I hope these tips are helpful! If anyone has any tips to add please comment below.