ChatterBank2 mins ago
Getting into Advertising
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Anyone know the best way to get a foot into advertising - not the usual telephone-monkey sales jobs - but designing and directing commercials - that sort of thing? Is it as competitive an industry as it seems?
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OK, I'm no expert! My information is largely based upon such things as conversations on trains with people who are in, or who are seeking to get into, the advertising industry. Disclaimer over, information follows:
While there may be a few people who work their way up from tea-boy to directing commercials, the general rule for getting any half-decent sort of job in the advertising industry is that you need a relevant university degree. 'Relevant', in this case, could include 'public relations', 'communications', 'media studies', 'art', 'design', 'advertising', etc, etc. (Basically anything dead easy and 'wishy-washy' - Oops, sorry, bias creeping in. My degree's in maths!)
Even for those with degrees, job placements can be hard to come by. There are plenty of 'opportunities' in London - indeed, the majority of jobs in this field seem to be in London - but the initial salaries offered often aren't high enough to support living in London.
As I've said, not 'expert' information but hopefully enough for other people to improve upon!
Chris
While there may be a few people who work their way up from tea-boy to directing commercials, the general rule for getting any half-decent sort of job in the advertising industry is that you need a relevant university degree. 'Relevant', in this case, could include 'public relations', 'communications', 'media studies', 'art', 'design', 'advertising', etc, etc. (Basically anything dead easy and 'wishy-washy' - Oops, sorry, bias creeping in. My degree's in maths!)
Even for those with degrees, job placements can be hard to come by. There are plenty of 'opportunities' in London - indeed, the majority of jobs in this field seem to be in London - but the initial salaries offered often aren't high enough to support living in London.
As I've said, not 'expert' information but hopefully enough for other people to improve upon!
Chris
A friend of mine done his HND in Falmouth and went to top up to a degree in Wycombe. Whilst at Wycombe he was offered a work placement for 2 weeks as part of a prize for some work he'd done. He never finished the degree.
He had a hard time getting work after 9/11 and I think the market place is still very competitive because of it.
Basically, hard work and perseverance and a certain amount of bare faced cheek come in handy.
He also done work experience (basically worked for free) during his BTEC at a local Ad Agency. They used some of his work then and they paid him 20 quid!
(He's responsible for the Norm Twix adverts by the way).
He had a hard time getting work after 9/11 and I think the market place is still very competitive because of it.
Basically, hard work and perseverance and a certain amount of bare faced cheek come in handy.
He also done work experience (basically worked for free) during his BTEC at a local Ad Agency. They used some of his work then and they paid him 20 quid!
(He's responsible for the Norm Twix adverts by the way).
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