Biggest mistake as a creative trying to break into the industry? Greatest success? Would love to hear all your stories. Trying to be a creative is hard. (Esp. Without portfolio school)

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Should not have taken my first job for anything other than the opportunity to make great work. Will never repeat this error.

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I didn’t do portfolio school either. Makes it tough, because Miami Ad and VCU basically have rigged first rights on openings at most agencies. That being said, it’s very possible. I’ve done well and won awards. BUT, I regret not holding out for a better agency for my first gig. It really sets you back. Took me years to escape that first agency because they hardly made any good work

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I didn't go to portfolio school. I applied to internships at what I thought were the top 20 agencies in the U.S. I sent fed-ex, I made unique rap videos, I even made click-bait for specific CDs I liked.

I ended up getting 12 interviews, which translated to about 5 internship offers, which became 1 job offer, which I was able to leverage into another job offer. Then, I tried to over-leverage. I lost my top agency internship offer, lost one of the job offers, and was just wise enough to shut up and take the incredible opportunity in front of me.

Moral of the story: You only need one job. Choose the one with the most potential for good work, and the best CD you can work for.

Also agree about waiting for a good agency offer. I made this mistake as an ad school grad. But I will say my real mistake was feeling any loyalty to the shitty agency that hired me and lied about the position. Once I realized what it was I should have continued interviewing.

TLDR; if a better agency wants to interview you do it. Even if you haven’t been at your first job that long

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