I need some advice. I have always wanted to be in the creative field but it seems I have gotten myself into an inadvertant jam. I began college as a double major in interior design and business with visions of being a business savvy designer, but no one told me how pretty much impossible trying to do both of those AND play college volleyball AND try to work…so something had to give and it had to be interiors due to time and being a poor college student who couldn’t hardly afford supplies.
I graduated with my marketing/biz degree and worked my way up to a pretty good gig in business/sales. Being that I am a 20something who deals with consulting area top CEOs all day and works with every part of the company is nothing to scoff at…and it’s definitely getting me steps in the right direction, but frankly we are worked to the bone and I am grossly underpaid for what I do…I know everyone says that but if you saw the work we do and what our paychecks look like, you’d say the same thing. I figure, now’s the time to get out and do it.
I want my true love of the swanky eclectic design agency employee. Now, I have 2 years of college art/design under my belt, and I know that I can’t realisticlly apply for the true design positions (although I am shooting myself in the foot for at least not doing graphics!!!) but how can I get into these design positions and have them look at my creativity + business knowledge (which as I’ve talked people, most don’t have both) and look past the fact I haven’t had true agency experience? I do marketing of all different sorts, PR, branding, you name it…but my title doesn’t say anything like “marketing manager” etc.
BTW I am heading back for my master’s…would love to get a small associates in graphics and maybe this is the way I need to go before I really have a chance at it. Any help and advice would work. Thanks!
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I would first suggest that your join your local branch of the American Marketing Association. Networking may be key in helping you get over that hump.
Second, I suggest that you create a killer portfolio. Many marketing agencies will like the fact that you have business acumen, as you may add a different point of view to their client’s projects. However, your portfolio must be current and impressive, and your skills should be up to date.
Third, consider volunteering your skills working with local small businesses or non-profit organizations in your down time. This can build your portfolio and your skills, and can prove to an agency that you are a self-starter.
These positions are very competitive, and you must be a great designer to compete, but if you have what it takes, start networking and building your portfolio, and you may find some great opportunities.
Good luck!
First of all…I completely agree with everything Annie had to say. She is right on the button. On the other side of that, looking at your resume…I would say when writing your resume for a position, focus on the transferable skills you have for that position.
You seem pretty on-the-ball so you probably already know you need to tailor each resume to the position for which you are applying. Since your title is all about sales you need to focus on the aspects of what you have done instead of what you are.
You said you have done all sorts of PR, branding, etc….well focus on those which make sense for the position that you are applying. You said you work with CEOs all day…I am assuming you are building and nurturing those relationships? If so, then that’s relationship marketing.
And don’t forget…sales is part of marketing. Anytime a company touches a potential customer in any way (face-to-face, email, advertising, etc)…that’s marketing.