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Hello all, I am learning DSA on scalar. My only dream company is Microsoft .for me package and level doesn't matter. Just development role so minimum sde 1. And optional if possible wfh. I have 7 years of experience in DOTNET. I am NOT much confidence in DSA. So I need help and guide and support how can I join Microsoft. Right now possible? as I am already learning DSA and not much salary requirements. So can they take me as sde 1. Any view and guidance help to impossible to possible.
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Chief
To me it’s partially due to this insane expectation that all junior books will look like a VCU BrandCenter grad’s book.
Which to be fair, takes 2 years of unpaid work, $50,000 in tuition and access to software/camera equipment/studios, etc…
This pretty much blocks all the non-wealthy juniors, whose books will understandably look a lot more rough.
Chief
👆same here. im making a point about socioeconomic status, not race.
statistically POC are more likely to be disadvantaged for a variety of shitty reasons out of their control, but to me it’s more about wealthier kids having more access to the industry than anything else.
I know it doesn’t feel like it coming in but it’s improving a lot. Even 5 years ago I was consistently the only Black woman or Black person in any given room and that’s defo changing. I’ve now worked under a Black female CD, with a Black AD. Ad school me could only dream 🥲
Unless you go to a top portfolio school, everyone struggles to break in. Send me your book.
And even then it's not easy.
Yup. People will always gravitate towards what they're comfortable with. Unfortunately there's a single story around Black and brown folks that makes hiring managers expect less from us. Look at how few Black CDs there are. Waatbp was started by Jeff Goodby..his agency is white af
White af, and even whiter in leadership roles.
Chief
Agencies have finally started realizing portfolio school isn’t everything. Some people don’t have access. But you’ve got to show some indication of creative ability or potential. If you’re art, show me the art you make, even if non-ad related. If you’re copy side, show me anything you’ve written. A good CD will see potential.
I’ve interviewed maybe 15-20 people that our talent team has identified in the past 3 years. 17/20 were POC.
It’s changing, but it won’t change overnight.
This poster said Black, not POC.
Send me your book. I can't give you any opportunities but I can give you advice.
Chief
I see stuff changing, slowly but sure. Of course, agencies will still look for great books and talented people, and I hope they continue to do that. But a lot of agencies have dedicated programs to try to counter the education gap which is great.
The problem is there are a LOT of talented creative black people - they just don’t want to take the time to mentor those who aren’t at the same level as white counterparts for legit reasons. Even the free programs for black creatives are shorter, not given the same resources, not taught in the same way etc. So you have black creatives that are scrappier, but more willing to learn and actually have a unique perspective outside of the same things that have been said and done over and over again. You have black creatives who aren’t going to play it as safe but will relate to so many audiences. Black people are literally the trend setters of everyone’s favorite tiktoks, dances, fashion trends, lingo, music, hair and makeup, etc - yknow the stuff needed for a good campaign. Yet we find it hard to break in. On top of all of that - advertising isn’t even really brought to black communities as a career option. We don’t know it exists, because it is so gatekept.
What would success look like to you?
Would programs that, for example, find people with complimentary skills and then recruit/train/support them be useful here? Like helping restaurant servers get placed into account roles, with effective training and mentorship. Good idea, terrible idea — what's your take? Thanks for your help.