I don't think I like my new job, it's been a month. Not sure if it's bc I'm a recent grad & it's my first job or if it's the role, team, etc. It's a strategy role but I've only done account/maintenance tasks so far & it's not fun, thought it was gonna be a mix of both. I think I want to be in consumer or media research/strategy...

Should I stick it out and try to switch teams at some point? Look for a different job entirely? I need Excel & agency experience though... advice?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

It’s your first job. Starting any new job feels like this after a month. You’ve barely given it a chance at this point, and there’s still a lot to learn and get the hang of.

Stick it out, gain some experience, and if you still don’t like it after a year start looking elsewhere.

like

I agree Digitas. Give it 6 mos to a year because it’s your first job. Later in your career, 5ish yrs out, act on that instinct then.

like

You’re getting great advice here. But it doesn’t seem to be landing. So I’ll give you the advice you’re waiting to hear... “Quit today, now. Hold out for a job that gives you everything you want and make sure they deliver ‘everything’on day one. Life is short and there’s no time to ‘pay your dues’ like everyone else starting out.”

likesmart

No company is going to have an entry level person making important strategic decisions off the bat— you first need to just be sitting in meetings, reading emails, taking notes, and soaking in ad terminology/client needs.

helpful
Recent IconRecent

You’re not going to get mindblowing opportunities in your first month when you’re green. They’re sussing you out, you’re sussing them out. 3-6 months in you should be in the groove enough with relative mastery that you’re able to consistently be adding value (vs functioning mechanically) — that’s when your managers should be throwing you more interesting and potent stuff

like

1. Focus on learning as much as you can and be vocal about your ambition / seeking more opportunity
2. Recognize that someone on your team who has a lot of other responsibilities has to pause those responsibilities to teach you things bc you don’t know everything yet
3. Try to learn more about what other people do so you can see what track you want to grow into or what workstreams you want to touch more of
4. Try to learn more about what your work contributes to or enables, and how you can provide more value
5. Set up a 2x monthly 1:1 with your manager to discuss growth and work

likehelpful

Lol welcome to the real world, it sucks! Adjusting to work life after an entire life in school takes A LOT of time...it took me a few years tbh.

But it sounds like maybe you want to be more on the creative side? Sounds like maybe strategy at one of the consumer shops? Good news is, it’s relatively easy to make the switch as a junior. Start looking now - it’ll take a little while. Get your talk track down - something like “i love my job, I know I want to be a strategist I just want to be involved with the creation of what the messages say vs where they show up”

like

You are at a media shop, that is the problem. Do extra curricular strategy bits, join the communities, join the planner challenges and the creative challenges to sharpen briefs. Team up with a creative (art) and do some writing.

Slide in my DMs and I’ll ping you some things I taught at the Miami ad school.

For now focus on what you are getting out of your job, structure, big client interaction, see how they do “strategy” - learn from it.

I was a New Business monkey for a year and writing competitive analysis proactively/helping creatives before I was allowed to touch my first brief. You’ll get there, but it won’t be tomorrowz

like

If it's a toxic environment, then get out ASAP.

If it's because you're not getting the opportunities you want, be more patient. It's been a month.
You're just out of school. Many people across many industries are still in the fetching-coffee stage or looking-for-work stage.

If you realize you don't like the industry as a whole, start figuring out what industry you might like and plot a path, while staying in your current job.

likehelpful

honestly don't know if i can do this account-only stuff for 6 months.... but thanks

I think your idea of strategy is more glamorized as being part of the larger big picture whereas when you start out, you'll do these mindless tasks for a bit

like

I have 5 years of experience and my first month at my job was all small tasks and catching up on things. It’s actually very kind of your team to not throw you in the middle of everything!

like

i guess my client isn't one of the ones with a lot of strategy involved then :/ i don't know what to do

Take it from someone who was just thrown into the fire with little to no training, it’s nice to start off at a steady pace. It doesn’t last long.

I know these tasks seem menial, but try to look at it from a lens of “This is my foundation. If I can nail the basics, they’ll start trusting me with more strategy related tasks.”

If you truly find your day to day unbearable right now, I’m sorry. :( I know the feeling.

I think leaving before the year long mark could be risky. But I also understand that some jobs and some teams legit suck at mentoring. Good luck!

likehelpful

All jobs start with admin work. You have no experience so starting with the “boring” stuff helps acclimate you to your company/department/client/boss/role. Find ways to innovate and improve what you are doing.

Seek mentorships with people who do the jobs you are interested and ask them how they got there.

like

You have to learn the basics and how things work first. They aren’t going to make you responsible for big picture strategic thinking on day one, or probably even in year one. You have to put in the work and learn the craft. It will likely be this way at any sizable agency.

likesmart

As someone who has worked in media strategy since graduating from college (3.5 years now), the junior roles tend to take on more of the tedious work and as you step into higher level it becomes more strategic and client-relationship managing based. I see it getting more interesting & exciting as you move up the ladder.

It’s not the same type of strategy that I was expecting after graduating, and I while don’t LOVE it, I do like it. It’s a good background to have that can transfer to client, sales, or vendor side if you want to eventually move into a different route.

I will add that a lot of the perks of working at an agency come from the fun office culture and since we’re all WFH it is INCREDIBLY different than how it used to be. The people I used to see every day in the office and our fun events really made me love my job- now it feels just “blaaahh”

likehelpful

One month in, recent grad... you’re developing your instincts and figuring out what you want. That’s gonna take time.

As you figure it out, and deal with the discomfort, be sure to take care of yourself. Spend time reflecting away from the job, keep in touch with your friends and family, folks whose perspective you trust.

You will be the one at the end of the day who knows if something is right for you, or not.

likesmart

Maybe.

It’s up to you how to spend your time. 💚

As someone who hopped around a bit when I was starting out due to opportunities not being exactly as described, I think you should stick it out. It's true you're green, you're just starting out and trust me that all of these annoying tasks will only make you better in strategy AND account. I'm at an AD level now and even if some of the roles haven't been what I wanted, I've learned so much from each opportunity and have leveraged all of them to grow in my career. You are probably learning a lot and just don't realize it yet. Plus, it can cost you future opportunities if you don't stick it out because people do focus on the fact that someone hops around (I've had to answer to it a lot). I got great advice from a manager once: Don't leave a job until you feel like you've learned all you can from it.

As long as it's not a toxic environment where you're being mistreated, I would suggest powering through it. You'll be grateful to have this really good foundation and it'll be something you can use to land an even better job in the future. Account work totally does suck but ask yourself if you're learning key foundational work that will only help you be better in the long run. That's what you should be focusing on now that you're early in your career. The harder you work now, the more opportunity will come your way. You'd be surprised how many people just coast and do the bare minimum. Being someone who is willing to do what they need to do and supports their team will go a really long way in the eyes of senior management. I promise one day you'll look back at this job and it'll just be a memory, but the skills you learn will last your entire career. Hope this helps!

likehelpful

Agree with Manager 1. I would wait at least a year. I know things are also extra crappy since you can’t blow off steam by getting out and actually enjoying life but try to hang in there! If you are really miserable maybe speak to your boss and say you really love research and would welcome extra opportunities to help with that whenever possible as a way to learn more about it. Hopefully they are supportive and want to help you find your niche in this industry. If you think it would raise red flags then just try to power through the boring stuff - I promise it gets better once you find what you really love doing. And once you’ve learned the basics start looking for something more in line with what you wan to focus on.

like

Try to be patient. It will get better as you learn more and are given more responsibility. It takes more than a month to integrate into a job.

like

Insight from a former Assistant Brand Strategist at Horizon: you won’t be making any decisions concerning strategy. You’ve gotta earn your stripes by owning the menial/administrative tasks first. But turnover is so high, that if you work your ass off, you have a TON of upward mobility at Horizon (like 4 promotions in 2 years sort of thing haha).

likehelpful

That’s a question for the people you work with.

Post this in the “Strategy & Planning” bowl too. Might get some more input re the strat lens.

like

I haven’t worked at Horizon, but I’ve interviewed there. I think Horizon’s job titles are a little funky and in my opinion, misleading. The brand strategists are really just media planners. I believe what you might be interested in is a small department in Horizon called the “WHY” group... they do a ton of custom quant and social listening research and strategy development across all the big accounts.

I spent the first few years of my career as a media planner in another agency. I wanted to join the strategy team, so after 6 months I raised my hand to do proactive extra work for them. This was extra hours, but I loved it. Eventually they offered me a role! Now 10+ years on, I’m a brand strategist freelancing for creative and brand agencies.

Be comfortable with your journey not being linear. The twists and turns and detours are what make you interesting! And as a strategist you can’t afford to not have an interesting background...

likesmart

I second this

OP sounds like planning, not strategy. He/she might be looking to be part of the WHY group instead

like

Wait— is it that you thought when you took the job everything you wanted/needed was going to be laid out and presented to you just how you’d want it?

That RARELY happens.

If your role doesn’t have any/enough strategy, YOU’RE THE EXPERT. Bring in Strategy! Go through all the painpoints of anyone else trying to change their work environment to what they want it to be (pushback from your boss, others dragging their feet b/c they hate change, etc) and make your job what you want it to be.

Getting the job was the first hurdle. Don’t hang up your track shoes yet— you still have a long way to go.

helpfullike

"it's not fun"

Lol welcome to the club...

like

Give it a chance. Otherwise on your resume it will look like YOU didn’t work out. And you don’t want to have to explain to a new employer why you weren’t willing to do everything asked of you, whether it met your expectations or not.

like

Related Posts

Currently, I am working in a metal production. I have 3 years experience in this role. I am learning Data Science from percipio platform of Skillsoft. It has 4 courses from Data Analytics to Data Scientist. Is tgat enough for me.

like

What would be the take home monthly salary for 25lpa after all the standard deductions? Can anyone please help out in this regard? Also how is product owner role at Accenture any idea? Please guide me

like

Hello! I’m new on this bowl 👋

I work at M1, a fintech startup in Chicago. I’m hiring copywriters for my team, anyone here interested or know someone who may be? I’ve already put out a couple offers that got rejected because of a competing agency offer, so looking for people who are interested in the tech/startup space!

like

Hey everyone! Looking for a job referral for Slack Can anyone help me out with this? Also would love some likes so I can DM too please. Thanks in advance.

likehelpful

Hi all,

I joined
KPMG around 3 months ago but I am not getting work here. Although, I qualified some project's interview, yet due to some internal reason, they considered someone else, and I again came on bench.

I am unable to figure out what can be done now.

Should I start searching work outside.
(I hardly see any job openings these days)
(sap domain)

How's the resource management here?
(do they lagOff?)

Any inputs will be helpful.

Thanks!

like

Hi,
I joined TCS a week before as assistant consultant, Apple project has been allocated.
Anyone has any idea about data science work in apple? Onsite opportunities?

like

Is Accenture hiring is freezed, because my application for the Analyst -Reporting (CID:- C7303041) is not going further.
Any help would be appreciated
Accenture Accenture India

like

On a phone call today, my client suggested our project team provide 24/7 coverage for scanning support. My team size is two, including myself.

Post Photo
likefunnysmart

I just took a leadership role in industry after 5 years in advisory (industry hire). Partners, any tips for the transition? What have you seen your clients do well/poorly during big career moves?

like

Does anyone have reccos on simple at home teleprompting tech or hardware? Need to have a client record a speech remotely from home for a conference, were editing together a simple video. Thanks!

like

New here & looking to break into healthcare consulting. Any places hiring for a background like mine? Have a masters in a health science field, 4 years of direct clinical/hospital work, 1 year of military health work. Thanks!!

like

How hard is it to go in house from a real estate practice?

like

I have created Algorithmic Product/System for the client to take out inventory not-in-demand for long time to save storage expense and also provide an approach to prioritize Work Orders based on Market Demand. It’s more like an Manufacturing Plan. I want to get into Product Analyst/Lead role. What approach I should take? Any books to start with? Any events to attend? Any groups to join?

like

Hello all there is an opening for business analyst/SQL DBA in HSBC can anyone refer me please.
or anyone part of SQL DBA team can give some input on this would be great help


Job ID : 0000HEPW
Location : Hyderabad, India

Job link in Comment section

like

My client’s site got hacked yesterday. I didn’t see any actual signs of impending attack. But knowing how little we do for cyber security when building a site, I knew we must have been vulnerable in some way. I’ve tried pushing for more cybersecurity measures in the last year, but being a Jr, I don’t know a lot about it. My manager had brushed it off as something that would be nice to look into if [insert excuses not to here]. Can’t push it off any longer. I’m afraid heads are gonna roll.Advice?

like

Hi everyone,

DBS vs Oracle!

Which one is good for a web application developer?
How to figure out if a company is good to switch or not?

like

If you are looking for exciting opportunity, Kindly share your resume to patelprachi2128@gmail.com with subject as referral code for which you want to apply.

And update the details below:
First name
Last name
Email id
Mobile number
DOB
Job id
Preferred location
Current/last employer
total exp
Have u applied in last 6 months

Post Photo
like

Hi. I am completing my MBA in 2 months from University of Toronto. Due to family reasons I wish to move back to India( Delhi) and looking for consulting roles. I have 4 yrs of workex in Audit and about a year’s experience in VC and incubators for startups. Anyone willing to refer me for open roles for Associates/Sr. Consultants? Or which companies might be hiring right now? Thanks!

like

How much we can expect for 9 years experienced PL/SQL position from Fidelity?

Looking for a job for one of my friend for Visual designer/Digital illustrator role. Kindly let me know in case anyone is hiring for the same !!
Work exp : 5 years
Current location : Bangalore

like

More Posts

Hi Everyone,
Im looking for a switch ,
I have 2 years of experience
Having good problem solving skills using java
And my current pacakge is 5.5CTC
So , How much I can expect from switching...
Please Help me

like

5th year with the company, C3, level 9 going level 8 soon (CD&O), NYC, base 117k - where am i in the pay band? Switching companies, trying to figure out how much to expect/ask

like

London 🐠 or 🐟 with offices in London, looking for roles in digital strategy, social, or content. Anyone have leads?

like

Saw my therapist this past Friday and he gave me a useful trick to build better behavior patterns. Whenever you have work to do but would rather nap or something, tell yourself 3 negative effects of the nap and 3 positive effects of doing the work. You might still take the nap, but if you can get in the habit of thinking of it negatively, you'll take less naps when you need to be doing other things.

Doesn't matter what the activities are. Could be working out vs eating more, could be socializing IRL vs wasting time in FB (lol)

Anyone else heard of this/tried it?

like

Anyone in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) space? I am AEM architect and looking for change. Open for referral, if your team/company is hiring for AEM architect/Lead? Thanks

I'm glad people can order things online and get them the next day; but it makes my job harder because a lot of the people in my company don't see that we just don't have the infrastructure for that kind of operation, so they need to order it BEFORE they need it the next day

like

I’ve been going through it this month. Was on Buspirone for 4 weeks which caused a n of depression. Now I just started Zoloft and I’m feeling extra anxious and hypersensitive. One of my colleagues made fun of an idea I suggested and I’m taking it way more seriously than I should. How did your journey go to get on meds and adjust to them? I hate feeling so up and down.

like

I am a contract employee that was just brought on a month ago. I have done well with onboarding and learning their tech. I have now been asked to design an architecture for an upcoming project, and document it all. Nothing at this company has been well documented before. I have a feeling they just planning to use my previous experience and then let me go since my pay is high. Is there a way I can safeguard against this?

Have any PDMs gone to DU? I know it’s not standard, but have any exceptions been made?

Hi Any one please refer me to Deloitte Off-Campus Recruitment -Associate Analyst job id 1008.Deloitte

like

Hello guys,

I have experience of 3 years in Procurement and I have completed my course in SAP MM Hana from a recognised institute. Please let me know if anyone is hiring for the same role.

Thanks

like
like

Steel Case vs Herman Miller

Is Herman Miller the undeniable winner in the office chair market or is Steel Case a contender for first?

like

Investment gurus - Appreciate pointers for resources (books, blogs, videos etc.) to read up on investment strategies. Just getting started and could use all the help. 🙏

like

Anyone have a multifamily underwriting model in excel they can share?

like

Hi, fishes I am open to providing referral in TCS as a Java Developer. YOE: 1-3 Like this post so I may help.

like

Hello friends
We are hiring.....

Post Photo
like

How should a resume be for Amazon? I was told not to make it product focused, instead have it be PM focused

like

Are you lost baby girl?? 😂😂😂
jokes apart
is there anyone recently ( in month of September) r received OL from infosys?

like

Anyone knows about the base for chase PCA?

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

Want to get your opinions on the best small agencies in LA in terms of work produced (media and creative)

like

Has anybody interviewed for a sales position at Vericast? I’m going to be asked to do a presentation, what is all of that about? Is this something I already have that I am presenting or a product on their company? Thank you in advance

likehelpful

This showed up on my Facebook feed. Is it because I put the blackout square (I didn’t use that incorrect hashtag, by the way).

Post Photo
likefunny

Do anyone know if JPMC does their social (organic and paid) in house?

like

What’s the best in-house agency for creatives?

like
like

God damn Carrie Fisher you guys

like

Any info about OMD Clorox, McDonalds or Wells Fargo accounts ?

like

Has anyone successfully made the leap from digital to brand planning? Any advice?

like

Anyone watching “The Facts of Life” & “Different Strokes” live special on ABC right now? All the retro commercials in the ad breaks are dope. If not, I’ll tape it for you.

like

Where you fish getting ad industry news? I can’t bring myself to pay for publications like AdAge, Campaign or AdWeek, but I want to know which accounts and teams are moving around.

like

Men 🐟: Is the unwritten rule of urban spacing dead?! Too many guys ponying up nice and close lately. Ladies, do you have any similar unwritten rules of the bathroom?

like

Advice/suggestions please:
Let’s say you were interviewing for a global client lead role - at the holding co level - for one of WPP, Omnicom or IPG.

What questions would you ask in the interview phase?
What concerns would you have?
If you had your pick of essentially the same role at all three of those holding companies which would you pick? Or not pick?

If you have any insight/two cents you up for sharing to help me out, thank you!

like

You’re starting an agency and everyone wants you. Which brand do you reject first?

like

Dear KBS, today we received 17 all agency emails. Yesterday it was 20. Surely upper management has a better way to use their time. Make it stop. Love, KBS

likefunny

Managers - do any of you have the ability to check in on your direct reports’ webcams without them knowing to make sure they’re working? The green light next to the camera keeps lighting up on my company computer and I’m getting paranoid haha

like

How many agencies give cost of living/yearly raises vs just a “yearly bonus” ?

Can ya guess which one Barkley is?

like

So by how much exactly does W+K NY lowball creatives? Any ranges for senior creatives or CDs?

like

How’s FCB NY these days?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal