Making the most of an ad internship
Hi all,
This is my first post to the forum, but I've been hanging around for some time. I recently began an internship with a big agency in Miami and I wanted to get some advice from anyone out there with agency experience. What should I be doing to have the best possible internship experience? How do I get noticed and, more importantly, turn the internship into a job? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
This is my first post to the forum, but I've been hanging around for some time. I recently began an internship with a big agency in Miami and I wanted to get some advice from anyone out there with agency experience. What should I be doing to have the best possible internship experience? How do I get noticed and, more importantly, turn the internship into a job? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
Views: 5
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve Hall on -
Hmm...big agency in Miami? Crispin Porter + Bogusky? :-) Say "hi" to Katie Kempner for me. Anyway, if you have a better way of doing something when you are given a project, by all means go the extra mile and do it. But...make sure you do exactly what is asked of you and then layer your idea on top explaining why you did so and what you thought it might add to the project. People who are hiring are looking or individual thinkers who can work on their own but at the same time people who do what is asked of them.
Make the person you are working for look smart. Sure, you should get credit for your work but you are also there to assist the person you are interning for. They need you to come through so they can come through.
There are probably people here with far better advice than mine.
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Permalink Reply by Buddy 'Friendly' Wachenheimer on
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Come early. Leave late. Work hard and smart. Help out where ever help is needed. Be nice and respectful to everyone. Do what you are asked to do... and more. Ask what else you can do for the agency and it's clients benefit, your just due will come from doing that, plus being loyal. Act like you know what you are doing, sort of fake it, until you make it. See if you can get the best person there to be your mentor or guide. Grab ANY piece of work you can own, look for the small stuff, or stuff no one else wants. Then make it work. Little bones thrown your way, lead to bigger ones coming your way. Starting out will be the hardest part of your career. It's gets better after you pay your dues. That takes three to five years. Don't blow this opportunity, there are countless others waiting in line to do what you can't or won't do. Good luck and enjoy the ride. Have fun and turn a profit.
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Permalink Reply by Angela Glenn on
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Don't ever fake anything. Confidence is essential, but acting like you know what you're doing when you haven't got a clue will lead to your demise as well as your supervisor's. Like Steve said, that person needs to be able to count on you. If you can make him look good in the process to the rest of the bunch, all the better.
Your internship is the only time you get permission to be stupid. There's no way you can know it all. Ask all the questions you can while you can. It will be over before you know it, and then some other kid will be asking the questions you're supposed to have figured out.
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"The longer it takes you to become successful, the harder it will be for somebody else to take it away from you." Hugh Macleod
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Permalink Reply by TJ on -
Two ears and one mouth...
Listen twice as much as you speak.
Don't bring up a troublesome issue or problem without a FEW ideas for a solution.
Let the "old guard" teach you something - everyday...then apply it in something they will see.
Have fun while working...but don't be a "Carrot Top". You can be a "C-Top" later when you establish yourself as a solid member of the team.
Silently impress...no one likes a marching band rolling through the office at noon everyday just because you learned how to use the new stapler or didn't lose an eye from the new funky-style paper clips.
Understand the delicate balance between crystal confidence and bombastic arrogance...and the pitfalls of BOTH.
Do stuff outside of your office that will enhance your effectivness at work (photography, art, sculpture) on your own time...keep your creative juices flowing 24/7 and carry something along with you to document those creative bursts.
Expect throat-cutting critiques and thoughts about your "baby"...and smile like you knew it was coming. Grin and bear it like it was your first night in prison. FISH!
Keep in mind that you're trying to take someones job THERE...so you have already become the enemy before you even stepped in through the door.
"I didn't know" should never be heard from you as far as company policy, mission statement or culpability.
Beat the janitors in and let them out at night. Don't underestimate them as allies. Speaking of which...
Treat the janitor and the lunch lady just as you would treat the CEO...
Remember to always represent yourself in a positive way.,..no matter WHERE you are...you NEVER know who is watching you. (theres a great video out there showing a drunk girl calling her boss an assjack and calling him cheap while being video taped...with the Boss...standing right behind her....I'll look for it).
Get to know everyones name...and smile when you meet them in the morning.
Don't overdo the aftershave or the personal hygiene. You CAN overdose on Tic-Tacs.
Keep yourself updated and versed in the "newest" tech's and newsworthy items. (mother Teresa was Godless for almost 50 years?...wow)
Keep in mind that this "BIGGIE" firm may not be the right place for your talents, visions and skills...maybe Comedy Central would make a killing with your talents and reward you as such.
Surround yourself with greatness...and you will be considered even greater. (Look what it did for Hannibal)
Don't forget your family (if you're married w/ kids)...success in the office is usually on a similar pace with happiness at home.
Don't take anything from the office fridge that isn't yours...even on a bet.
Stay out of the office rumor mill... it WILL chew you up in a heartbeat.
People are going to hate you for the Right and Wrong reasons...and vice versa with liking you.
and no...I wouldn't know how well these would work yet as I am still a wee art student...but I will use them when MY internship chance comes up.
and if all else fails...
Try to date the boss's daughter...but only if you can dial a phone with your tongue and can say "Yes Dear"...convincingly.
keep us updated to how things are going here... because I'd LOVE to learn the line from your putt...(without the details that would get you fired or course)
Best of luck ...either way.
Ohhhh Crabcakes...(trots off)
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// Try to date the boss's daughter...but only if you can dial a phone with your tongue and can say "Yes Dear"...convincingly.
TJ, sweetheart, have I told you lately that I love you? ... aaaaaaaahhh, brilliant. Simply brilliant.
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Permalink Reply by TJ on
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It was the flowers, wasn't it?
Fresh mountain water I tell you...fresh mountain water.
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Permalink Reply by TJ on
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Here's the "Doooooohhhhh!!!!!!!" vid I was talking about.
Watch and heed...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISg3P6AnLhQ
and lastly..."passion in the process puts perfection in the product"
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Permalink Reply by Joel Fernandez on -
Thanks for all the great responses everybody. That was much more than I expected. The internship is in fact with CP+B, and it's until November 30th. I'll be sure to let you know how it turns out. Thanks again.
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Permalink Reply by TJ on
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One last piece of advice I received awhile back before ink and paper was even invented is still one of the best:
Don't throw a punch until you can take a punch.
(old, short, jingly lady from Poltergeist)..."This Tooooopic is CLEAR!'
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Permalink Reply by Ali Sabet on
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for me there was only 2 spots at FCB in Orange County and I got one of them, and buddy the next. We were told by our "intern director" at fcb that we were going to be allowed in meetings, but not allowed to talk or give input. That didn't last long..I remember our first creative meeting for the Hilton pitch. The CD asked everyone for their ideas..after everyone was done my buddy and I raised our hands and gave our opinion..it was the best thing we ever did. We were considered an official team on the account pitch, we had 6 pieces in the pitch and FCB won the account. What a wonderful way of starting a career! We ended up working there 12 hours a day for 6 months as official AD/CW team. Learned from the best in the business and finally kicked out to go find a job. It was hard not to land a job when you have a 50mil account under your belt right out of school. FCB hired us on full-time and that was that. But the fact that I still had to get to know myself better, got me layed off 9 months later. I have never gone back to a full-time gig ever since.
My advice:
Be outspoken and give your ideas. Don't be afraid of anything or anyone. Be who you are and put in your hours. Learn from them and stick around till you land a gig outside of the internship.
Get them to constantly review your performance or portfolio if you are a creative- and don't do what I did when they told me I sucked (went home and stayed in bed for 2 days) come back out and kick ass. You are going to do great! Most of all, Have a blast and always walk around with a Black sketchbook and a pen..trust me on this one..I don't know why, but I've never let go of the habit and it's worked wonders.
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