When All Is Said & Done III - Career & Life

When All Is Said & Done

Part III - Finding Success In Career and In Life

I'm Equipped to be a Project Manager, But Strive to be an Account Manager

Can I lead internally, organize, motivate, allocate, get results, and grow profitability internally? Yes. In fact, a lot of my experience stems from these abilities. A great deal of my internship was devoted more to these project management attributes than account management ones (as can be expected with an internship). Still, it leaves more to be desired. I envision myself a better thinker than a doer, and so I strive to work in a position with more on that list: things like lead externally, be a strategic business partner, build trust, ask the right questions, diffuse hostile situations, negotiate, manage expectations, offer perspective, and grow profitability externally. My career will probably see a combination of both roles.

I Will Benefit from Relaxing More

The people I’ve worked with point out that I’m just as laid back and bizarre as they... but I can appear stiff or conservative on first appearance. I get it. Somewhere between dressing fashion forward, being a bit self conscious of saying the wrong thing on a first meet, and my role in account management I fit a mental stereotype. There’s a number of things I can do to work on this that will help my career success and comfort. 

But seriously what’s so wrong about wearing a collar if you’re meeting the client?? Fucking Portlandia is living the dream of the 90s...

Finding Mentors to Learn From is a Huge Priority in My Early Career

I’m no expert at this. In these critical first years in the workforce I realize that watching and learning from seasoned pros will be a giant part of how I can better myself quickly. There’s a ton to be learned through just doing it, but relying on that entirely misses the wisdom that others have to offer. This is especially true in a field like client services where managing perspective is such a central component of the job. The challenge is on me to go after these people with zeal, especially if I’m in a highly individualistic place like New York.

Never Go To Somebody With A Problem Without "Solving" It First

It's not their job to solve your problems. You're going to be better served by thinking through the best solution you can muster, then comparing it to what others have to say and making it better. Ask questions. Seek advice. Look for perspective. But save someone the effort of walking you through an answer and make the effort yourself.

Brevity is Essential When Describing Anything

When rehearsed, I have little problem with sticking to main points and being detailed only where it's necessary. However, when adlibbing, I still have plenty of work to do. Conclusion: know the work inside and out so everything that comes out of my mouth at least appears to be extremely well thought out and concise.

I'm Told I Know How To Own The Room
Booyah. 

I Should Be Prepared to Dedicate My Soul for 2 Years

It's brutal out there, especially in the big cities. If I want to make it - and I do - I need to be ready to sacrifice a lot. Friends, family, and free time are all going to be afterthoughts to excelling at my job for the first several years. I was told to "learn to play the game" by showing up earlier than everyone else, leaving after the office is clear, taking on every project I can get my paws on, getting familiar with the work that's being made, and doing my homework even after hours. Through this selfless dedication to the work I will be able to prove my worth among a sea of other hardworking, talented, qualified contenders. Sounds crazy right? Yeah, but that crazy devotion is exactly what I'm drawn to, and coincidentally what I've been working to do for years.

Keep the Long Term in Mind
I'm hungry to motor hard for my career - long after those first couple years have passed. But I recognize that there's more to life than work. In high-paced industries like advertising, finance, and entertainment its all too common to see people dedicate their entire lives to the job, only to look back burnt out, alone, and with little to show. It's easy to get caught up in it all and lose sight of what you really want.

So I've spent the last several months reaching out to people that have gone after the crazy, looking for perspective as I make my next steps. What I've waked away from these talks with is a) the reassurance that following my career dreams right now is warranted and well timed, and b) to keep a critical lens on my life - where I came from, where I am, and where I want to go. Do I want to settle down and start a family right now? Hell no. Do I want that at some point? Yes, as long as it doesn't involve living in suburbia. I'm ready to dive headfirst and work like my life depends on it, but while doing so I'm keeping in mind what I'm doing it for and reevaluating my situation regularly along the way. Besides, if we as advertising professionals aren't connected to the world we cater to, what use do we really have?

New York, I’m Coming for You

This summer was a major test for me. Having grown up in Portland and recognizing its growing creative market, I asked could I build a career here or is my desire for the big city too great to put off? My conclusion was somewhat surprising, but exciting: Portland is a comfortable city, but comfortable is not what I want right now. What I want is the ludicrous pace of the city. A place where I feed off the energy of millions of other driven hardworking individuals living in culture-rich canyons of glass, steel, and brownstone. There’s only a few places I can find that, and as challenging as it may be to make it there, it’s the challenge that makes it all the more appealing.