Interview With An Advertising Executive

Posted by Joella Dennis on March 22nd, 2019

When I was in high school, I knew that I wanted to go to college for art. My dad worked for an advertising agency and I seemed to have inherited his artistic talents. He took me to work with him when he was able to do so. I pretty much knew that I wanted to do something in the art field, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to do the same thing that my dad had done.

When I went to college, I majored in art. I really wasn’t sure what I specifically wanted to do at that time seeing as art is such a broad topic; the only thing I did know was that I didn’t want to become a “poor, starving artist.” I was unsure if I wanted to go into advertising or if I wanted to become an art teacher. I did change my major several times throughout my college career, that will highly update my resume for college admission. At first, I decided I wanted to be an art teacher. After I completed my mandatory classroom observation hours, I knew that teaching was just not for me. During the second half of my sophomore year, I accepted the fact that I was going to be doing the same thing as my father. I switched my major to commercial art and began to work towards a career in advertising. 

A regular day when I was in college meant going to classes, doing my artwork, and socializing with friends. I was very involved with the Christian organization on campus, and I spent a lot of time volunteering with different community groups, all of which were great experiences. In fact, I actually toyed with the idea of becoming a missionary at one point. My one friend did just that – he became an advertising executive with a missionary group. He designs the brochures and portfolios for the group.

I am somewhat ashamed to admit it, but my job search basically entailed contacting people that my dad had worked with and see if they had any job openings – it’s all about networking! He had achieved a lot of things by the time I graduated from college based on participation with different organizations and I sort of rode the crest of that wave. I landed my first job largely because the manager of the company knew my dad. I like to make myself feel better by saying that I got the job because of the efforts of my dad, but that I kept the job due to my own efforts, and I guess that is somewhat true. I also had a job before I graduated from college. That job lasted for a few years and then the owner of the company retired and sold the business, but I’m sure my working throughout college help strengthen my experience and made me a more attractive candidate.

I do still work in the art field. My official title is “advertising executive,” but you could call me by a number of things. I am using the things that I learned when I majored in commercial art in college.

My life did change quite a bit after college. At first, it was quite an adjustment to being an adult and going to work each day. I was amazed at the lack of free time I used to be able to designate to socialization. It had taken me 6 years to get through college and I really had gotten used to that college student routine. I also felt a good deal of stress because I was worried that if I failed or made a mistake, it would reflect badly upon my dad who had helped me to get the job. In college, I didn’t have to worry about professional reputations and all of that. Of course, there are quite a bit of thing to learn about “office politics” which surprised me a little bit, too.

I’m not sure what I could have done to prepare myself better for life after graduation. I think life after college is one of those things that just has to be experienced and survived. I do think that I am a better person and a stronger person from all that I have learned.

If I could do it again, I’m not sure I would do anything differently. If I knew then what I know today, I am pretty confident that I would have done it all the same way again. Perhaps the one thing I might consider doing differently was going away to college the way that I did. I went to a college close to my home which was convenient at times, but I would have had to become more independent and I would have had to have made my own way in the “after college world” without help from my dad had I moved further from home. It has been difficult to distancing myself professionally from my father and achieving some autonomy. Having a relative who has been successful in the field has been a blessing and a curse at the same time.

I do still work in the art field. My official title is “advertising executive,” but you could call me by a number of things. I am using the things that I learned when I majored in commercial art in college.

My life did change quite a bit after college. At first, it was quite an adjustment to being an adult and going to work each day. I was amazed at the lack of free time I used to be able to designate to socialization. It had taken me 6 years to get through college and I really had gotten used to that college student routine. I also felt a good deal of stress because I was worried that if I failed or made a mistake, it would reflect badly upon my dad who had helped me to get the job. In college, I didn’t have to worry about professional reputations and all of that. Of course, there is quite a bit of thing to learn about “office politics” which surprised me a little bit, too.

I’m not sure what I could have done to prepare myself better for life after graduation. I think life after college is one of those things that just has to be experienced and survived. I do think that I am a better person and a stronger person from all that I have learned.