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The harder you work, the luckier you get/feb1
Finding an internship is a lot of hard work, stress and heartbreak. It’s ok. That’s how it is. Just suck it up and don’t fuck up.
My advice: Start early.
Don’t wait for the last minute or last year to step up your game. During my time at Mohawk College, I’ve been surrounded with people who helped me grow. We all have developed great passion into advertising and working with them encouraged me to be the best version of myself.
Starting advertising, I didn’t know anyone as I’ve just moved from the Philippines to Canada. I was very shy and wouldn’t talk unless someone talks to me. But I knew I wanted to be great at what I do. The people I’ve spent most of my time with helped me grow and less shy. They made me confident.
Every homework given to me, I took it seriously. It made me look like a geek, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It was actually a great start for me cause at an early time, I had a good start for my book. And when the hunt for internship begun, it was a mixture of hard work, stress and heartbreak. There will also be a time of confusion… “Why am I still doing this if people just keep rejecting me?!” I get frustrated, but I suck it up… And then I work on my projects that need improvement.
At my lowest point, I was so frustrated… But at that same time, I got a meeting with an amazing agency. I loved them and it will hopefully be where I start my career.
My advice: Start early.
Don’t wait for the last minute or last year to step up your game. During my time at Mohawk College, I’ve been surrounded with people who helped me grow. We all have developed great passion into advertising and working with them encouraged me to be the best version of myself.
Starting advertising, I didn’t know anyone as I’ve just moved from the Philippines to Canada. I was very shy and wouldn’t talk unless someone talks to me. But I knew I wanted to be great at what I do. The people I’ve spent most of my time with helped me grow and less shy. They made me confident.
Every homework given to me, I took it seriously. It made me look like a geek, but there’s nothing wrong with that. It was actually a great start for me cause at an early time, I had a good start for my book. And when the hunt for internship begun, it was a mixture of hard work, stress and heartbreak. There will also be a time of confusion… “Why am I still doing this if people just keep rejecting me?!” I get frustrated, but I suck it up… And then I work on my projects that need improvement.
At my lowest point, I was so frustrated… But at that same time, I got a meeting with an amazing agency. I loved them and it will hopefully be where I start my career.
Hooray for reading homework! No joke./jan25
I like reading. Wayne Aubert; a Mohawk College professor gave us this good read…
http://theadbuzz.com/2012/12/top-ten-tips-for-the-successful-ad-student/
And here is what I think about it…
Don’t be an advertising student.
I love watching TV and as far as my memory goes, I loved critiquing TV ads since I didn’t have the power to fast forward through them. I had my favourites which just catches my full attention and I had a few which made me want to just rip my eyes off so I don’t have to watch it. Little did I know, those extreme feelings would lead me to pursuing a career in advertising. Starting advertising at Mohawk College, I learned to love it more and know more. I have been going around, reading articles and watching and listening to all advertising related posts. It has definitely become a huge part of my life.
Play well with others
There will be people who you’d work well with and people who wouldn’t be the greatest. I TRY to be the little girl that people would want to work with. But whenever I am assigned with groups, I always do my best. I follow the golden rule “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you”. I don’t want people I work with to just leave me hanging.
Working in a group is like holding every corner of a block, if one of you don’t carry the load, balance is broken and every single one in the group is screwed over.
Fill your brains
Being in the program for three years, I’ve been spending a lot of time with interesting people. And being around these people has opened me to new information, new technology, anything. I would find myself watching a TedTalks video at one minute, googling how to create electricity out of soil the next minute and then watching weird goat videos the next. The possibilities are endless. When you go into advertising, anyone who you’ll be working with will introduce you to something you don’t know!
Check your attitude at the door.
To me, there is nothing more annoying than arrogance. I know there are times that you should be proud of your work… I mean, you should be proud. But know when you have to calm yourself. Stop talking and try and listen to what you just said… It can be pretty annoying. Everyone in the program is in the same level as everyone else. We all work hard to do well and we all deserve a pat on the back.
Treat school like it’s your job
I’ve always thought when I started college… this is where my career starts. It’s either I work to the fullest, or I just wasted all my money for nothing. I don’t go to school to just sit there and spread the pessimist disease or be the distraction. No. I love school. And I take this point to heart… I would go to the Agency every weekday from 9-until they kick us out to work on my portfolio. That is a routine, and that is my job.
Get to know your Profs
At Mohawk College, you are a fool if you don’t WANT to get to know your profs. Every one has their own distinct personality and every time you go to school and see them all together, it’s like a TV show! They make your day in school worth your while and just watch them communicate. So, besides the fact that they are entertaining, they are your key to the industry. They would push you to your limits and support you until you are in the industry.
Treat every project like it’s going into your portfolio
This is a good one. There are campaigns that you wouldn’t expect to be really good. Even though you’re in your first year, don’t feel like you are not good enough. In my experience, most of the awards that I’ve won has been the ads that are not my favourite and they come from the classes that weren’t my priority. So, in everything you do, do the best job you can and never settle.
Spell write
Grammar is a big thing. I’ve studied the English language for years and years when I was young and living in the Philippines and when I came here, it bothered me how residents here doesn’t know they’re own language. I understand, but it is kind of disappointing. But having good grammar does leave a great impression on employers.
Develop your personal brand
By this time in our lives, we should be comfortable of who we are. Yes, we are in advertising. But I still have a personal life. I think of it this way… I’m a celebrity. Well, I’m not. But that’s how I think of it. In this industry, you should have an online presence of some sort. What I do is, I google myself. With that, I see what comes up and what potential employers might see when they do that. If we do that before we meet them, I’m 60% sure they would do that too. So, whatever is on that first page of the google page, ask yourself… Would you hire you?
Read the annuals
I personally own a few award annuals. I have been attending a few of them actually… it’s a good way to be familiar with people in the industry. But about the books, not only are they a good inspiration but you will be able to see which agencies are doing good, who you can contact and just what people think is award winning.
http://theadbuzz.com/2012/12/top-ten-tips-for-the-successful-ad-student/
And here is what I think about it…
Don’t be an advertising student.
I love watching TV and as far as my memory goes, I loved critiquing TV ads since I didn’t have the power to fast forward through them. I had my favourites which just catches my full attention and I had a few which made me want to just rip my eyes off so I don’t have to watch it. Little did I know, those extreme feelings would lead me to pursuing a career in advertising. Starting advertising at Mohawk College, I learned to love it more and know more. I have been going around, reading articles and watching and listening to all advertising related posts. It has definitely become a huge part of my life.
Play well with others
There will be people who you’d work well with and people who wouldn’t be the greatest. I TRY to be the little girl that people would want to work with. But whenever I am assigned with groups, I always do my best. I follow the golden rule “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you”. I don’t want people I work with to just leave me hanging.
Working in a group is like holding every corner of a block, if one of you don’t carry the load, balance is broken and every single one in the group is screwed over.
Fill your brains
Being in the program for three years, I’ve been spending a lot of time with interesting people. And being around these people has opened me to new information, new technology, anything. I would find myself watching a TedTalks video at one minute, googling how to create electricity out of soil the next minute and then watching weird goat videos the next. The possibilities are endless. When you go into advertising, anyone who you’ll be working with will introduce you to something you don’t know!
Check your attitude at the door.
To me, there is nothing more annoying than arrogance. I know there are times that you should be proud of your work… I mean, you should be proud. But know when you have to calm yourself. Stop talking and try and listen to what you just said… It can be pretty annoying. Everyone in the program is in the same level as everyone else. We all work hard to do well and we all deserve a pat on the back.
Treat school like it’s your job
I’ve always thought when I started college… this is where my career starts. It’s either I work to the fullest, or I just wasted all my money for nothing. I don’t go to school to just sit there and spread the pessimist disease or be the distraction. No. I love school. And I take this point to heart… I would go to the Agency every weekday from 9-until they kick us out to work on my portfolio. That is a routine, and that is my job.
Get to know your Profs
At Mohawk College, you are a fool if you don’t WANT to get to know your profs. Every one has their own distinct personality and every time you go to school and see them all together, it’s like a TV show! They make your day in school worth your while and just watch them communicate. So, besides the fact that they are entertaining, they are your key to the industry. They would push you to your limits and support you until you are in the industry.
Treat every project like it’s going into your portfolio
This is a good one. There are campaigns that you wouldn’t expect to be really good. Even though you’re in your first year, don’t feel like you are not good enough. In my experience, most of the awards that I’ve won has been the ads that are not my favourite and they come from the classes that weren’t my priority. So, in everything you do, do the best job you can and never settle.
Spell write
Grammar is a big thing. I’ve studied the English language for years and years when I was young and living in the Philippines and when I came here, it bothered me how residents here doesn’t know they’re own language. I understand, but it is kind of disappointing. But having good grammar does leave a great impression on employers.
Develop your personal brand
By this time in our lives, we should be comfortable of who we are. Yes, we are in advertising. But I still have a personal life. I think of it this way… I’m a celebrity. Well, I’m not. But that’s how I think of it. In this industry, you should have an online presence of some sort. What I do is, I google myself. With that, I see what comes up and what potential employers might see when they do that. If we do that before we meet them, I’m 60% sure they would do that too. So, whatever is on that first page of the google page, ask yourself… Would you hire you?
Read the annuals
I personally own a few award annuals. I have been attending a few of them actually… it’s a good way to be familiar with people in the industry. But about the books, not only are they a good inspiration but you will be able to see which agencies are doing good, who you can contact and just what people think is award winning.
The harder you work, the luckier you’ll get./jan24
I have been going around and meeting art directors, CDs and just swallowing my pride and always ready to get my book and myself get ripped apart. In my experience, (and not only me) people will have different opinions on your book. It’s fine. Get critique as much as you can, take it in. They’re just trying to help you. Push you. If you take it to heart then you’re not made for this industry. Jef has trained us to take criticism. Don’t waste all of that for nothing.
Now that you’ve taken in all that criticism, think. What is the common denominator? Which campaigns did most people like? Treat it like a survey. And when you figure out what the majority likes, keep it in your book. Now to your other pieces, is there one that they particularly like? What did they say to change? If you agree and other people agree, then you might want to change it. I guess what I’m saying here is that you can’t please everyone. What you can do is just to continue working on your book. It will just keep on growing and maturing with you. Don’t let it die. Keep working on it.
When you show your book, present it with confidence. It’s your baby. Be proud (but not arrogant). People will appreciate that little sunshine you bring.
Now that you’ve taken in all that criticism, think. What is the common denominator? Which campaigns did most people like? Treat it like a survey. And when you figure out what the majority likes, keep it in your book. Now to your other pieces, is there one that they particularly like? What did they say to change? If you agree and other people agree, then you might want to change it. I guess what I’m saying here is that you can’t please everyone. What you can do is just to continue working on your book. It will just keep on growing and maturing with you. Don’t let it die. Keep working on it.
When you show your book, present it with confidence. It’s your baby. Be proud (but not arrogant). People will appreciate that little sunshine you bring.
Just like the Nike tagline, just do it /jan17
Get started. Sure, in every assignment that gets assigned to us there will always be something that we can complain about. There is nothing wrong with that. Complain all you want, but while you’re at it, get started. There may be something genius that may come out of the emotion you have at the time.
It’s not easy to juggle time for different projects, personal life and just some time alone. But you have to learn. Prioritize. Be around people who understand and would help. Focus. By this time of your life, it’s best to know what your goal is. Set that and see how you can achieve your goal step by step, little by little, day by day. In school, you should take everything as an opportunity. Every assignment is something you can add to your portfolio. If it’s not, then what the heck, at least you practiced brainstorming and executions.
We had this assignment that we really didn’t think would be a huge thing. I had one assignment that our professor saw that it was good and had potential. We just made mock-ups at first and after that, we thought about it more and continued working on it even outside of school. It turned out to be a solid campaign and people I’ve met with have been huge fans of the campaign. This is where I learned that we should never settle. There is always room to develop for everything.
Keep pushing.
It’s not easy to juggle time for different projects, personal life and just some time alone. But you have to learn. Prioritize. Be around people who understand and would help. Focus. By this time of your life, it’s best to know what your goal is. Set that and see how you can achieve your goal step by step, little by little, day by day. In school, you should take everything as an opportunity. Every assignment is something you can add to your portfolio. If it’s not, then what the heck, at least you practiced brainstorming and executions.
We had this assignment that we really didn’t think would be a huge thing. I had one assignment that our professor saw that it was good and had potential. We just made mock-ups at first and after that, we thought about it more and continued working on it even outside of school. It turned out to be a solid campaign and people I’ve met with have been huge fans of the campaign. This is where I learned that we should never settle. There is always room to develop for everything.
Keep pushing.
So, tell me about yourself. /jan16
I don’t know about you, but for me, whenever this comes up in a conversation/interview/whatnot, I never know how to respond properly. Most of the time I mumble. Or just have a long pause. Or giggle. I just answer with a smile. And some stupid statement starting with… “Well, I’m Sarah” Here’s where I think too much and say to myself “Your name is Sarah?! DUH. Idiot. This person you’re talking to knows that.” And from there, I am the one doing the judging on myself instead of the person I’m having a conversation with. But I think the point of this post is just to get to the bottom of this and just write about myself (no nonsense, of course. All professional and things that might interest you.)
To start this off, as you may know, my name is Sarah. I’m in my graduating year at Mohawk College. Advertising is my choice of program… Ever since then, I built a relationship with advertising. I spend all day with it, if I’m at my part time job, I’ll think of advertising. Basically, it became a huge part of my life. And just like every relationship, it is NOT always great. I’ve worked very hard for advertising to accept me. And so far, I’ve been doing well. I’ve been parts of teams that have been recognized in the industry. In my first year, my team and I won a merit award at the ADCC annual. It felt great. It was a great boost of confidence. In my second year, two of my team’s work has been acknowledged by Applied Arts magazine. And by the end of second year, we won Gold at the Canadian Marketing Association student competition/creative. I didn’t mean to boast or anything, but advertising is an award driven industry and when people recognize your work, it’s like all your hard work has paid off and it’s a huge pat on the back and drives you to do better.
So, okay. Advertising takes up 80% of my life, what do I do besides advertising? Anything. I am open to try anything. I’m a coward. I admit. But I get braver when people say I can’t do it. I would try any kind of international cuisine, I would try and shoot arrows, ride a carabao (it’s a subspecies of water buffalo, according to Wikipedia). But yes, I try to do as much as I can and try to be unpredictable.
Who knows, in a few days/months/year, this “tell me about yourself” might change. But for now, this is all.
To start this off, as you may know, my name is Sarah. I’m in my graduating year at Mohawk College. Advertising is my choice of program… Ever since then, I built a relationship with advertising. I spend all day with it, if I’m at my part time job, I’ll think of advertising. Basically, it became a huge part of my life. And just like every relationship, it is NOT always great. I’ve worked very hard for advertising to accept me. And so far, I’ve been doing well. I’ve been parts of teams that have been recognized in the industry. In my first year, my team and I won a merit award at the ADCC annual. It felt great. It was a great boost of confidence. In my second year, two of my team’s work has been acknowledged by Applied Arts magazine. And by the end of second year, we won Gold at the Canadian Marketing Association student competition/creative. I didn’t mean to boast or anything, but advertising is an award driven industry and when people recognize your work, it’s like all your hard work has paid off and it’s a huge pat on the back and drives you to do better.
So, okay. Advertising takes up 80% of my life, what do I do besides advertising? Anything. I am open to try anything. I’m a coward. I admit. But I get braver when people say I can’t do it. I would try any kind of international cuisine, I would try and shoot arrows, ride a carabao (it’s a subspecies of water buffalo, according to Wikipedia). But yes, I try to do as much as I can and try to be unpredictable.
Who knows, in a few days/months/year, this “tell me about yourself” might change. But for now, this is all.
