REBUS St. Louis

A few weeks ago I attended an internship expo at Webster University with a few of my coworkers.  For starters, I was surprised at how outgoing the students were and how interested they were in the industry and getting an internship at such a young age – most of them juniors with at least one year to go before graduation.    Upon further investigation, my initial impressions were altered when finding out that for students in the advertising/communications program, an internship wasn’t looked at as an optional opportunity; it was a mandatory part of the curriculum necessary in order to graduate.  Either way, the students still impressed me with their personalities and their willingness to approach our company head on with questions and conversation.
Although we met a ton of qualified candidates over the course of the 2-hour conference, there was one thing that I couldn’t quite wrap my head around as we walked out the doors of Webster:  “these kids, while academically qualified, had no idea what they wanted to do.”
It got me thinking about the age old question that I struggled with from the time I was probably about their age (a junior in college) to the time I finally landed a full-time gig:

“In this industry, is it better to be a generalist, with a little bit of an edge in a bunch of different areas, or is it better to be skilled in a specific set, where you can add a lot of value to a pinpointed piece of an agency’s business?”

To that, I still don’t know the answer, but after talking to some of these college students, I feel compelled to take some sort of stance.
One of the first things we typically asked the students was “what are you interested in- creative or account?”  Some didn’t know what we meant by that, others didn’t quite know what they wanted, and some expressed interested in both.  This response didn’t necessarily surprise me because I think everyone at some point struggles with copy vs. client.  We all think we’re writers right?  Still I was amazed at the amount of confusion between those who thought they wanted to be designers, but said they could write copy, but at the same time wanted to be involved in strategy.  In theory, that’s great, but when seeking out an internship, that lack of clarity could be a game-changer when deciding on a qualified candidate.
It’s a tough time for internships.  With juniors being required to receive one, seniors praying to god they get one, and recent graduates still holding on for hope that they’ll be relevant enough to be considered for one, the competition is almost endless.  The things you learn are invaluable and for those on the fence, you’ll more often than not find your niche as you go through the day to day of your selected position.
I think the industry has changed over the past few years.  I don’t think it’s necessarily better anymore to be just a writer or just a designer or just an account planner.  It’s important that you know and understand each, and above all, have a passion for the industry as a whole.  I also think however, that it’s important to identify strength and stick with it (at least for a little while) so that you can understand where you can bring the most value to a company.

For more information on the Evolution of Advertising and what it takes to succeed in this new era of agency models, I recommend you come to REBUS at Schupp Co. on November 16. There’s going to be creative and account members that talk about what it takes to adapt to the ever changing industry and it might just unlock some insights as to what agencies are looking for in their next batch of intern candidates.

By Michael Buffa, Account Coordinator, Schupp Co.

Media Credit: Britteny Henry

As an ad student, I have experienced the difficult process of scoring that essential internship my senior year of college. It’s basically a job in itself, performing all the legwork it takes to secure that spot at the bottom of the totem pole. Perhaps you can take some helpful advice away from this blog post to make your search a little bit easier.

First thing’s first, it’s essential to have a solid cover letter and resume. Your cover letter needs to catch and hold the attention of the reader. It’s best to avoid clichés and focus on convincing the reader that you are not only qualified for the position, but also can add value to the company. That resume shouldn’t exceed one page. Using pops of color and a maximum of two different fonts are guidelines I also like to follow.

Another helpful tip is to talk to your professors and find out who has connections with certain agencies. There’s nothing wrong with name-dropping (as long as you have permission) in the first paragraph of your cover letter to make that association.

The next step is to compile a list of shops you’d really want to work for. This is going to involve a little research on your part. Focus on your area of interest. For example, if you’re going into web development, make sure the agency you’re applying to has a strong digital department.

Now it’s time to start sending out your resumes and cover letters. It’s not that difficult to find the Human Resource representative’s name and email address on an agency’s website. Make sure that you personalize your cover letter with the HR rep’s name, the name of the agency, and the internship title you’re applying for. Don’t worry if an agency you’re interested in doesn’t have an internship opening posted on their website. You should still contact them and ask if they need interns.

The most important step is to follow-up a few times with the company. Generally, if you don’t hear back for five to seven business days, it’s acceptable to send an email stating that you are still very interested in the opportunity, and reiterate that you are confident that you will add value to the company (give an example). Sometimes you will never hear back from somebody. Try not to get discouraged when this happens. Unfortunately, this is somewhat normal.

Once you schedule some interviews, it’s important to go into them with confidence, a positive attitude, and a professional inspired ensemble. Always send a Thank You letter/card after every interview. I recommend a handwritten one sent via snail mail (it’s more personal). This gesture will help you to stand out from others, and occasionally results in you being hired over another candidate just as qualified as you.

The last step in this whole process is to take every opportunity to learn from the employees working around you. What you get out of your experience is completely up to you.

By: Alyssa Jones