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Anybody awake and want to chat? 35M here!
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Yes. Started as a 31 yo intern.
I've worked with plenty of creatives who started later in life in their late 20s or early 30s. They tend to be the best hires in my experience. Creative, talented, and very hard working. Don't let age hold you back. Go for it!
The only thing I'll say is they tend to move on from the industry after 5-10 years. When you're younger you have more life and salary runaway. When you start later, you tend to want to accelerate your opportunities quicker which might not happen in advertising right away. One moved on to start their own studio. Another became an audio and film director.
So just keep that in mind. Being 35 and not hitting 6 figures might hurt with life stuff.
Talent doesn’t have an age. Lots of people start a little later. I think creative directors respect maturity, and you’ll get a bit more freedom and trust to present to clients earlier on than most people fresh out school at like 21/22.
The one watch out for yourself is to never think that you have authority over people with the same level of work experience just simply based on age or perceived life experience. I’ve noticed some people I’ve worked with who started older have a major chip on their shoulder when younger people rise above them in the ranks.
Yes, but*
*potentially less worthwhile than in the past. A decade plus ago, I started ad school at 24, which had me starting as a junior copywriter at 26. It felt worthwhile to start a longterm career. With AI impacting the number of jobs, overall salaries, and career lengths, it’s a less exciting option.
I would do it again from when I started, but not sure I’d do it again starting today, especially if you have to go to ad school to build your portfolio
Rising Star
Anything is possible. It might not be wise. Most people start at 24-26 yo so you’re not far behind.
The big age-related concern I’d have is aging out before you can move up or save up. Creative careers don’t pay well until you hit CD level and above, and there’s an expiration date on talent.
It’s also a terrible time to start. The industry is shrinking, even those with great books and years of experience are struggling. If I were you, I’d avoid the “get a job at an agency” route and use your background and added maturity to find a niche. Could you be an influencer? Start your own production studio? Become a social content creator? The agency structure is f’ed but there are ways around it.
started as a jr at 32. you can do it.
Yes. I started in the industry at 30. I am glad I didn’t start in my early to mid 20s, right out of undergrad. In my 30s I already had experience drawing boundaries for myself around work. I am better at speaking with clients and having realistic expectations.
I’m curious as well. I’ve been in advertising my whole career, with the hope of breaking into a creative role but life happened, as it does. I’m around the same age and I’ve freelanced as a copywriter (which is what I really want to do) before, but nothing I’d feel proud to put into a book. How would I go about building a portfolio that could get me in the door as a creative?
Yep. Anytime before 40ish
Phew. I started at 39.
It’s a vibe thing. If someone can get you in then it’s less as issue providing you don’t read “old”
Not creative, but I started as a 30 year old reporting and analytics manager, after an early career in finance and accounting. I had some transferable skills and the agency that hired me was staffing up quick to support a large new business win.