So you want to work at an ad agency? You just gotta do an internship.

In recent weeks I've been on the hunt for Creative Civilization's next round of interns for our award-winning ad agency. In my pursuit of the best candidates around, I have utilized the traditional outreach to the universities, created buzz using our agency's social media platforms and even went to a university campus to recruit students face-to-face.

One trend I have noticed is that everyone wants to work for an ad agency, but there's an overall lack of familiarity with the dynamics of agency life. In general, I find that most students, no matter what university they come from, seem unaware of the difference between disciplines in a full service ad agency.

I usually hear a lot of versions of this: "I'm interested in account service. Or PR. Or copywriting. Media? Whatever!"

Ah, no. Not whatever.
Public relations, media, creative and account service are separate areas. Although we work together to build integrated marketing campaigns - our disciplines are different and most of the people who work at an agency have diverse backgrounds that prepared them to do their specific jobs.

This is why I encourage students to partake in internship programs before graduation. The beauty of doing an internship before you graduate is that it provides students with a hands-on experience that will help you decide if you're on the right path and if agency life is for you.

One university that does an excellent job of educating its students on the importance of job training and internships before graduation is Texas State University - San Marcos. (Twitter @txst) Our agency works closely with Charles Kaufman the Internship, Scholarship and Career Development Coordinator for Texas State's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I wish more universities would use Texas State as a model for preparing their students for the workforce. So, hats off to you, Texas State!

For students who are interested in working for an ad agency, I encourage you to talk to professionals who are already doing the work. Don't be afraid to contact them and ask questions. Don't have time for an internship? Maybe you can job shadow for a week. The point is: get familiar with your talents and try to match them with the needs of the organization you want to work for.

Whether you are looking at an agency, a corporation or non-profit, you should know your audience and know yourself. You can always contact me at theprblog@gmail.com if you have any questions.

Creative Civilization's Internship Program In the News!

I was quoted in this week’s issue of San Antonio Business Journal on page 15, talking about Creative Civilization’s internship program after an awesome visit with Texas State University’s “Speed Interviewing Extravaganza”. (Article posted below)
As many of you know, helping young professionals get a foot in the door is my passion. When Al Aguilar and Gisela Girard hired me in 2006, I had several internships under my belt, but I was still very average on paper compared to many of the students who come through Creative Civilization’s doors these days to partake in our program.
With the creative freedom and latitude the agency has granted me in the last three years, I have been able to grow as a professional, graduate with my master’s degree and oversee our agency’s internship program here at Creative Civilization. We all started out somewhere and these students need all the help they can get, especially in this economy.
If you know any students who are studying marketing, advertising, or public relations – tell them about us, so we can welcome them to our civilization.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Article written by Andi Rodriguez

Job Opening at Creative Civilization #WIN

EMPTY DESK SEEKS MEDIA BUYER/PLANNER FOR LONG-TERM RELATIONSHIP

Creative Civilization-An Aguilar/Girard Agency, is currently accepting applications for the position of a Media Planner / Buyer.

The Media Planner / Buyer will be joining a group of young and dynamic leaders in the communications industry.

The full-time Media Planner / Buyer at Creative Civilization will work with a strong Media Team

Responsibilities:
• Develop and implement media plans for both General and Hispanic
Markets utilizing various forms of media
• Negotiate aggressive and competitive media buys across all media
• Negotiate strong added value as part of each media buy
• Develop and establish good rapport with media vendors
• Evaluate spending and delivery information on competitors to
maintain a competitive edge
• Evaluate partnership/sponsorship opportunities based on relevance
to product/brand and cost efficiency
• Partner with principals and account executives to develop and
manage media projects and campaigns

Qualifications:
• Degree in Advertising, Marketing, Communications
• Minimum 3-5 years media planning and buying experience
• Strong negotiating skills
• Strong work ethics, self motivation, strategic thinking and a
positive attitude
• Established relationships with key local and trade media vendors
• Professional demeanor with exceptional interpersonal and project-
management skills
• Excellent organizational skills with a detailed approach to
managing priorities
• Flexible attitude and ability to work in a competitive and fast-
paced agency environment
• Bilingual skills are a plus but not a requirement
• Strong presentation skills

Contact:
Submit your resume and cover letter to:
HRDEPT@creativecivilization.com or fax to 210-227-5999.