Exit options after advertising? Have been working in ad agencies in my 20s. Love the work and some great things I’ve learned, but now I’m hoping to work on things more meaningful in my 30s. Advice?

likehelpfulsmart
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You know you can just tap the three dots on the upper right corner and select “Subscribe to post,” right? You don’t actually have to say “following” anymore.

@OP, look to move client side. That seems to be the traditional path for people when they start aging out of agency life.

likesmarthelpful

Ah yeah - I spent some time at a nonprofit to atone for my advertising sins and feel like I had a purpose. Very different world, nonprofits. It takes a certain personality to make it work...

I felt good/smug for about a year before I started planning my way out.

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Have you seen this chart?

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OP in the mean time check out Wethos.co they connect freelance talent to non-profits or purpose-driven work people care about.
1) Meet people outside of advertising
2) Help them change the word
3) Get paid
4) Have cool projects to show (that can lead you to your next career move)

I’ve worked with them and loved the experience. Plus the founders are ex-ad folks so they get us. They’re always looking for talent.

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likehelpful

Or this chart?

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likesmarthelpful

Following

likehelpful

I would love to know the answer to this question myself. Not trying to sound like a dick, "Senior Consultant" is vague, it would help to know if you're more creative side or production etc, and what city. Knowing that would help us online strangers decide the rest of your life 😃

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Define meaningful. Then identify where your talents lie. This is a highly subjective and personal question based on what matters to you, your abilities, and your experience. The broad “get into tech” to me is about as useless as what I will tell you, which is if you don’t know what else to do, then take the money you are making now and think on this. I’ve known too many people who were burnt out and became yoga instructors only to return to this biz. There is no one answer and these jobs are highly specialized. That said, you know how to make a brand work. Do you want to make a company and a brand of your own. Unless you are looking for advice on how to get in an incubator , talk to VC’s , etc... it is impossible to give you an answer without knowing what your ambitions are.

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First time posting here and amazed by some great advice! Agreed that how we define “meaningful” differs, but thought it would be helpful to have a discussion about some common career options transitioning from advertising. So far, we’ve got: tech, client/brand side, non-profit, startup...and yoga instructor :)

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Way to bring it back to your objective. You’ll be fine.

likeuplifting

Also for anyone starting to reach that plateau where work begins to lose it’s challenge and you’re wondering if there’s still some novelty left in the world... this is a great book for understanding what we work for. Great for personal reflection and for guiding your team.

There’s also a good 10 minute summary video. https://youtu.be/u6XAPnuFjJc

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likehelpful

Following

likehelpful

Tech!

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I second that. Go work for a tech product you believe in and love! :)

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What do you mean by “more meaningful”?

likefunny

Meaningful? Everything has meaning it’s up to you to find it. My suggestion is find something that feeds your spiritual side. Volunteer, Yoga, politics. Get involved something that may not generate money but generates a wholeness and happiness in you

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Tech isn’t that great. Branding is better.

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How about branding in tech? ;) It should be Product Marketing Manager sort of role, right?

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