Scholarships, Anyone?

AAF Topeka is giving another great opportunity: a $1,000 scholarship.
Download the PDF here.

Volunteers, Anyone?

AAF Topeka is looking for students to help out next Saturday, January 26th, at the ADDY Awards in Topeka. There are two different shifts available, and they are the following:

Topeka ADDY Awards
- Washburn University Ballroom

8 students requested - Before the Event
(10 am – 4 pm)
• set up of stage
• layout of pieces
• set up of tables
• decorating

8 students requested - During Event
(5 pm - 11 pm)
• includes dinner and program
• 1960’s attire requested – formal
• piece pick-up and organization
• greeting

This is a great networking opportunity, and you get in for free (a $60 value)! You also get to see award-winning work from our district -- students and agencies.

Please contact Lydia 'Becker' Rodehorst if you're interested. Only a few places are available.

Summer Internships: How to Hit a Home-run

It's a week and a half before school starts. Soon we'll be getting back into the swing of things (pun not intended). Some of you may have been working on your portfolio or polishing your résumé, anticipating the internship you're wanting to fill this summer. Maybe some of you would rather mow lawns. If you're that person, here are a few tips. Good luck. If you're somewhat serious about this ad business, below are a few pointers from ad professionals on how to build your brand and get that summer dream job.

First - Where to Start
Here are a list of companies willing to take you in for a few months. If there's an agency you're interested in that's not listed, visit their Web site or give them a call and find out.

Some agencies, for example, Barkley* and Bernstein-Rein, have creative assignments for you to have fun with. Along with that, your portfolio needs to be great too.

Second - Building Your Brand
Résumés are important. If you want to cover all your bases, you'll need a cover letter. What's a cover letter? It's a few paragraphs of you re-stating your résumé and letting Dream Agency X know why you want to work with them. Here's an account executive's list of To-Do's. Be sure to check out the 'Build Your Brand' manifesto she links at the bottom. Career and Employment Services, located at Holtz Hall, has graduate students who are happy to look at your résumé and cover letter. Also, e-mail an attachment of these to a contact whom you may have in the advertising industry.

Third - Do You Like It or Love It?
Before going all the way, are you sure this is what you want to do? Sam Meers, President of Meers Advertising, advises that we do it because we have the passion. If not, it's okay. You'll find something else.

Ball - Perseverance
Don't cheat yourself. If you believe you have the ability to get an internship with Dream Agency X but are thinking about only applying to Good Agency Z, try both. If you don't get in, at least you can say you tried. Do it with the same motivation, confidence and professionalism you would with anything else. It doesn't hurt either to apply at more than one or two agencies. Heck, apply at seven! Keep your options open and do what's best for you.

Time and time again, I've heard ad professionals say that big agencies prefer you go to a portfolio school, but really, if your portfolio is great, that requirement goes out the window. I'm sure this works for agencies of all sizes. And I'm sure this goes the same with media planners, account planners and all sorts.

Home-run - Network with the Players
Getting an internship is almost like test driving a Porsche 911 Turbo (or your favorite street legal vehicle), except you're getting paid to do it.** The driver's seat fits like a glove, or you slip and slide on every hairpin turn. The engine purrs and its performance meets your expectations, or it coughs up a carburetor and you find it's a lemon.

Agencies don't have a Carfax.com, but they do have previous employees who have gained enough experience to tell you whether it's a lemon or a Fuji apple (again, pick your favorite fruit). Talk to them and find out. Or, go out on a limb and find out for yourself. (Also to avoid this, read 'Hey Whipple, Squeeze This.) Agencies are picky, but then again, they aren't. If you've worked with a not so great ad agency, you still have experience, and you're more likely to be hired if you've had an internship.

Outta the Park - Bonus!
You've been asked to come in for an interview. Awesome. Be sure to bring an extra copy or copies of your résumé with you, as they may want to see if you've come prepared. Creatives, bring your portfolio. Be yourself and show your strengths. Make eye-contact and be genuine about your interest in the agency and the person or people interviewing you. Think of it as a conversation rather than an interrogation.

If you really want to stand out, give the interviewer a leave-behind. It's something for them to remember you by. Be creative and let it reflect who you are.

Best of luck!

(Update: Here is another great resource to better understand what agencies are hoping to see from you.)

* Barkley's mentorship is currently listed for 2007. Please do not spend a ton of time brainstorming on last year's assignment. Bookmark the page, and look for the 2008 assignment in the near future.

** Not all internships are paid. Sorry. All internships are good though, and you can never put a price on experience.