Last week, 50 of the nation’s top advertising students were brought to New York City to be recognized as one of the American Advertising Federation’s Most Promising Minority Students. From networking receptions and more formal Q&A sessions to recruiting expos and agency visits, the students are set up with some amazing experiences.
I would know. I was one of these students just two years ago- a member of the Most Promising Minority Student Class of 2010. But this year brought a new experience for me. I was no longer sitting amongst my peers vying for that exclusive access to people in the “real world” or waiting in lines to get my valuable time with recruiters. This year, I was given the opportunity to represent Digitas for the Program.
Last Wednesday evening, Digitas New York opened its doors to the 50 Most Promising students, their university advisers, and members of the AAF community. We had appetizers, drinks, and coveted swag for the students, but also gave them access to a panel of some of Digitas New York’s senior leaders. Being that I was in these students’ shoes not that long ago, I was asked to sit on the panel as well.
I shared my experiences being a Most Promising Student, stories about challenges and growing in my job, and some advice that I hope helps these students as they prepare to enter this “real world”. My advice was two-fold:
- First, be open-minded. It is important to have plans and goals for your life. But keep your mind open to those opportunities that slightly stray from your path. They may lead to something you really enjoy and you may find yourself on an even better path.
- Second, don’t feel like you have to fit the mold. In fact, I encouraged the students to break it. In my opinion, there is no “ideal” candidate. People’s interests, passions, and characteristics make them unique and should not be underestimated.
Thursday began the Recruiter’s Expo portion of the program, where companies and agencies from across the country come out to give their time to these Promising students. It did not take long standing on the recruiter side of the Digitas table for me to be incredibly impressed. These students did an amazing job of selling themselves and it is no surprise at all why they were chosen to be Most Promising. They had business cards, demo CDs of their work, and one girl from Hawai’i even brought us chocolate covered macadamia nuts so we would remember her. Talk about Promising. We knew these students would be smart and talented, but it truly amazed me how so many went the extra mile to make an impression and try to convince us that they would make a great addition to our Digitas family.
I cannot believe it has been two years since my class of Most Promising Minority Students. But meeting and talking to the Most Promising Class of 2012, I soon realized that this new class is of a caliber beyond my own. And that is encouraging. These students will be the future leaders of our industry. Some of them will likely walk the Digitas halls. They are not to be undervalued. While their Most Promising title is an indication of these students’ potential, it is their work, drive, and passion that are proof of very promising things to come for the advertising industry.
- Amanda Villarreal, Senior Analyst, Search Marketing, Digitas
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at 08:51AM