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Final Word.
portlandoradvertising
7
September
After being an intern this summer, I thought I’d make a little COLAB guide to help future applicants and interns. Take it or leave it, but these are some things I would’ve liked to know when I started…
Before you apply:
A lot of people apply. I’d say increase your chances with a little ad research. Now, no one expects you to be the next Don Draper, but you should be familiar with some typography taboos, how to articulate what you want out of the experience *Hint: Don’t say, “A job,” and maybe be prepared to contribute to the team. If they do application videos again, think about what you’re comfortable with. I knew I didn’t want to talk, spew nonsense, or talk to the camera, so here is what I came up with. Other people went the comedy route and the results were equally as rewarding.
Once you’re in:
Take advantage, politely. Ask for work. Ask for help. Ask for feedback. No one will take an interest in you if you’re not interesting. I know I could have done more and I should have pushed myself further. Catch people for a 15 minute talk. Grab lunch with them. Use their advice to help develop your ideas.
Build a bridge… And get over it! So first things first, I don’t like to be called a LAB RAT. Who ever thought nicknaming the interns LAB RATS (origin: coLABoRATory) was clever, but must have bad experience in elementary school. Anyway, I got over it and now I’m trying to advocate for “Colab-ers.” The point of my point is that you’re going to be forced out of your comfort zone. Not everything is disneyland. There’s a reason they call it work. No, [most likely] you won’t have to go on coffee runs or fill in for the janitor, but you’re hands will get messy and you’ll end up having a laugh about the Portland oddities later.
Colab alums are really smart. Ok, ok, I may be biased. But we’re all willing to help! Been there, done that. Look up who we are, find out how we got in, and ask us what we did to be successful. Read our blog posts, talk to us on twitter, and refer to my first piece of advice.
You’re going to have a love-hate relationship with your team. Conflict, conflict, conflict… Yeah, chances are you’ll have some, errr… discrepancies in your team. It may be about the creative direction, may be about the presentation, or may be about diverse personalities. Don’t worry about the other team, they’ll have the same dilemmas. Best advice I can offer is positive persistence. No one who is anyone got anywhere without a challenge.
Plan to be ready the week before the presentation. The last week is rough. This year my team was 90% done with our presentation and book on the Sunday before the presentation. After presenting on Monday to LKP and on Tuesday to GB, we realized that percentage was a bit inflated. Moral of the story, seek advice. These firms know a thing or two.
Say thanks. Self explanatory, but it doesn’t hurt to put some creativity here.
Once you’re done:
“It was so great meeting you… Could we set up an informational interview…?” If you’re from out of town, stay for an extra week! Set up informational interviews, grab a coffee, or lunch, or a beer with a new friend. You’re going to make great contacts so stay in touch.So voila, that’s my two cents. Good luck in 2011!
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