Should i try different jobs that are completely unrelated to my degree or go and find one that i really wanted?
So, i just recently moved here in states and i'm a fresh graduate with a degree in Bachelor in Advertising and Public Relations. I was blessed to moved here right after grad but unfortunately, i haven't been into the real world of advertising. I'm finding it hard to find a job that is an entry level and is completely related to my field. Many people here told me to find a job first which is not related to advertising, i did that. I had two part-time jobs (retail sales associate and bookseller) just to gain experience and additional skills, now that i am both endo (unemployed) to the said jobs, i am so desperate to set my footsteps on advertising door. I am sending my resumes to different agencies but i know i lack the experience which makes it hard for me to get employed. I'm kinda feeling down now and depressed. Can someone give me an advice on what should i do? I feel like i'm a burden to my family because of unemployment :( #help #advice #advertising #giving-advice #depression #seattle #personal-development #marketing-and-advertising #career-details
7 answers
Ted’s Answer
Hi Paula,
Advertising is a tough field to break into, but don't give up. I recommend that you get some kind of job outside of advertising while you're looking. I believe that a paycheck will be more rewarding financially and emotionally than just looking for a job. I believe that having a job will also create a more favorable impression with prospective employers in the advertising field.
People employed in the advertising have one or more of the following skills: copywriting, graphic design, sales, media, web design, database management, direct mail and trade shows. Another field closely related to advertising is public relations. Since you haven't had the opportunity to develop those skills, you need to find an entry level position--perhaps an administrative assistant in an advertising firm.
Keep in mind that there are different forms of advertising, i.e., consumer versus industrial. Ad agencies provide a variety of services including ad placements, copywriting, graphic design and media buying. There are also freelancers that provide these services. In addition, there are large companies that have in-house advertising departments that perform some are all of the same services offered by ad agencies and other service providers.
I am a firm believer in using the internet. Try Googling "careers in advertising" and
"jobs in advertising" for starters. You can also try "advertising trade associations." You can contact these trade associations and ask them if they can provide any resources for
individuals seeking a career in advertising. if you can obtain any lists of advertising firms with key contact info, you can use a shotgun approach by mailing your resume with a nice cover letter.
I hope that the above information will be helpful in your job hunting efforts.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you Ted for the output. Appreciated. To be honest, I am still unemployed as I type these words, but I am using much of my spare time to develop my skills in copy writing. But whatever opportunities come my way, I will surely grab it. It's really tough to start and make an adjustments, that's why I'm extending my patience and perseverance. I never thought of any of these things I'm going through when I was in Manila, but life is full of surprises as they say. I know things will get better in time. I still see myself working in an Ad firm in the future. Thank you again. Wish me luck! :)
Paula
Gabriel Figliuzzi
Gabriel’s Answer
Hi Paula,
Great question. While I think it is important to gain experience or exposure to a variety of career fields, if your passion is advertising I wouldn't necessarily encourage you to work in an unrelated field. To be clear, there is nothing wrong with working in unrelated jobs if you are having a difficult time finding a full-time job in advertising.
In your case, I would encourage you to explore volunteer opportunities. A lot of times when I tell people to volunteer they think of things like animal shelters or picking up litter, but there are so many other opportunities available. For example, I went to VolunteerMatch.org and searched "advertising" under virtual volunteer opportunities and it returned hundreds of results.
Of course, you don't just have to do virtual opportunities. Take a look at the site and look for marketing/advertising opportunities near your community. Volunteering will do two things: 1) It will help you develop a portfolio of projects you've worked on that you can one day showcase for an actual job 2) It will give you the opportunity to network.
So, in summary, I would say continue to look for paid positions, but in the meantime consider doing some volunteer work to build your portfolio and connect with others.
Thank you so much for the wonderful advice. Appreciated! :)
Paula
Hi Paula, in adverting there are many different roles; you can be an account executive, a copywriter, a graphic artist, etc. Think about which role you would like the most, chance are that that is the one you would be stronger at. Like Gabriel mentioned, look for a job, an internship, or a volunteer position in the area that you want to get in, so you gain skills and experience. If you need a paycheck, you might want to look for a job, on weekends or evenings that allows you to work both jobs, one that is your passion and one that gets you some cash. Some resources are linked in, and indded jobs, where you can sign up for work from home positions too. Being creative and find out of the box solutions is an important trait to have in advertising. Much luck to you Paula!
Rute Filipe
Siara’s Answer
Go and find one you really want to do. The key to success is passion and if you are just in a job that aligns with your degree but you don't have any passion for it, it will show up in your work too. If you have passion and drive, you will be a success at anything you put your mind to.
Gabby’s Answer
I recently felt this struggle after graduating college with a finance degree and not sure if the financial industry roles were something I want to pursue. I started a career in management consulting which is a career that gives you the opportunity to continue to learn, grow, and develop your path. The projects in consulting give you a wide range of experiences to new skills, industries, clients, and teams. This path allows you to have the flexibility to keep learning and enhancing your specialized skills without trapping you in one specific role. It is a good option to consider if you're feeling this way!
Bree’s Answer
Knowing what you want to do is already a huge step that many people struggle with - so feel good about that! Some people need a variety of jobs and experiences to learn about their likes/dislikes and passions. If you know what you want to do keep at it until you find a way to do it. Volunteering or an internship can be great options and hopefully lead you to something permanent (and paid). There are many networking groups and events that are probably available in your area. That would be a great way to meet people and possibly get your foot in the door at a company that would be a great fit for you.
Samer’s Answer
The secret to success is to find a job that has the following 3 components:
1. Choose something you love
2. Choose something you are good at
3. Choose something that earns a good living.
The sweat spot is to combine the three together.
Good Luck :)
Roma Sawhney
Roma’s Answer
Hi Paula,
That's a great question. The first advice I would like to give is that do not be defeated. This problem is faced by most professionals at the beginning of their career. I would suggest be focused in your career goal and the field you want to be in. If you can't get relevant experience as a full-time job, try looking for internship opportunities (paid or unpaid) in advertising firms so that you get the required experience in your resume. Also, till you get the right job, try building on your skill set. This could be in the form of professional courses relevant to your field or simply reading up on google about projects that interest you!
All the best!