Tell me stories about your first days in advertising when you made no money so I feel better about myself for being overworked and broke. Thanks fam.

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

Monday nights, I bartended.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights I bounced at a club that was open until 4:00 am.

After I tackled a guy who was chasing one of the club managers with a knife, as a thank you I got ‘promoted’ to be the VIP area bouncer, which meant my job was to stand in front of athletes, musicians, celebrities, and people the same age as me (or younger) while they did blow and spent thousands of dollars on bottle service. One night I made the mistake of looking at a tab. It was 18k... 2k away from my yearly agency salary of 20k (my take home was 650 every two weeks).

There are better, safer, less disheartening options these days if you need a side hustle.

You’ve got this.

like

There was a while when I literally would eat sleeping pills for dinner because I couldn’t afford to eat. It’ll get better. I deeply believe in the importance of struggling. You’ll be fine

likefunny

All these comments are great reminders to me about why capitalist society is driving everyone to suicide.

like

Offer to order food for people from places that hit punch cards. I used to do Themis on the daily and would 1) get a free salad for doing the ordering and 2) have tons of punch cards with free meals at my favorite places to eat. Game the system and try to have fun with it!

like

I took the toilet paper from work and leftover food for dinner from the vendor lunchtime graveyard. I promise you, it gets better.

likefunny

8 years ago I started at 35k, now 175k. Hang in there, buddy.

likeupliftinghelpful

As an associate producer, I used to schedule 1 hour voice over sessions at noon so I could get a free lunch.

like

When $1 pizza is your go to meal and you feel kinda stoked about staying at work until 1am every night just because you get a free meal if you stay past 8pm.

like

I made so little money, I had to legit eat instant ramen on the regular, especially in between paychecks. Sometimes if I felt like treating myself, I’d put liverwurst from the 99¢ store in it (sounds gross but is actually a treat). I ate a lot of frozen corn and those $1 soup packets from Knorr that you get at Mexican markets in LA.

It only goes up from here, friend. Hang in there – the hump won’t last forever!

like

I was so broke I couldn’t afford AC. So on hot summer nights I took a very cold shower and slept by the fridge with the door opened. It sort of worked...

like

I remember when I finally saved enough to buy a window unit AC. Most personally satisfying purchase of my adult life to that point // you’ll never bond with your teammates more than when you’re young and broke - I met my best friend when she was an AAE and I was a jr planner, still going strong // Money can be golden handcuffs, be mindful of that as you grow in the industry // you’ve got this

like

I was an account coordinator, then assistant AE, then AE, etc. My first salary was $23K. I had to make timelines for revised journal ads... And carry job jackets/folders around for signature. Lunch was a packet of oatmeal!

like

Ball park hot dogs and baked beans. All I ate for over a year. Also spoon fulls if peanut butter. The struggle trains you for success. If you don’t live the struggle you’ll never live the dream. Good luck friend. Those of us that have been there are rooting for you. Keep the goal in your thoughts and you’ll get there

like

At my first job, my coworkers would walk together to get lunch. I always went for the walk and then would heat up my canned soup in the microwave when we got back. I think they thought I was on a diet but really I was poor.

likefunny

I used to be so jealous of people who had loose change in a cup on their desk!

likefunny

The agency chef used to wrap leftover salad and sandwiches for me from client meetings. Though I would thank him profusely every time, i never felt like my gratitude was enough.

like

I used to secretly love working more than 10 hours so work would pay for my dinner. I would order as much as I could get within the allocation and take it home to feed my SO. At $25k/year it was a huge perk!

like

I left minimum wage retail to become an unpaid intern (no relevant college) at a small shop. Worked a coffee shop job from 4:30am, left the office 8pm or later, 6 or 7 day weeks. Killed my self on work and barely scraped by on part-time tips. Made myself invaluable enough that they had to hire me after 6 months, though. Pay was still abysmal, but it kicked off my career.

like

You guys are all amazing! I’m inspired now... also some great tips here

like

I’m sorry, how is this any different than where most us are now? That’s right, age. Lol

like

Related Posts

How do you handle people in your life who try to discourage you from working so much or don’t understand your ambition? I’m thinking about just cutting off a lot of people.

likesmart

Hi , I got an offer from Netcracker with 32 lpa fixed Mastercard ,28 + 10% variable DXC LUXOFT DXC 31.5 lpa Can you plase suggest which one should I prefer in terms of wlb , flexibility, work?
Yoe 8.5 Skill java spring boot microservice

like

Can anyone provide honest review of KAS services a subsidiary of KMART in terms of job security and WLB in analytics domain?

Mindtree vs Infosys , which one to chose.. same package. Job security and work life balance are main.

like

Please help me in choosing which one to join for 5 yrs mainframe exp guy in terms of job security and WLB -
Current location Noida
NTT data - 15LPA noida (band 8)
TCS - 13 LPA kolkata (IT analyst band c)
Legato - 16 LPA Banglore (SSE)
Wipro - 14.5 LPA noisa (SSE)

please suggest!!!!!

like

I feel like working from home has been the death of my dating life. I used to at least go on 4 dates a month, and I was casually seeing a guy for a while. Post covid, I love my work-life balance but I'm never out. I can't meet people sitting at my desk, and I have no local coworkers to pull me out of the house for happy hour.

like

From a vault ranking perspective, is it safe to assume V100 is all sweatshop big law? Reason I ask is because I want to lateral but not to a gunning big law firm — want to stay in big law but not at the ones at the top of the food chain like I am now. Want some sort of work life balance and wondering if the “lower ranked” big law firms offer this? Could just be my fantasy though…

like

Hi fishes, I have 2 offers-
Thermo Fisher for Data Engineer in AWS and Python and Ameriprise as Lead Developer for Informatica Powercenter. Ameriprise is offering 50k more in my monthly salary than Thermo Fisher. My preference is to join in where I can grow and get a good learning for future career growth. Also, work life balance should be good in the organization.
Please help me with making a clear decision. And i have 8+ YOE.

like

Hi! I’ve been approached by Securonix for a Sales Director role in NA. I know the field and their competitors. The pay is good but I’ve seen a handful of websites with employee rating that is really bad. Each site has roughly 10 reviews but most are negative. Mostly referring to toxic culture and zero work life balance. How true is this in this sales org and the company in general? This is a backfill role after a 3 year tenure for the person who left.

like

Mphasis & EY same package
6year exp, Post - senior software Engineer
My priority is wlb and career growth
Where should I join??

like

Persistent Systems Limited Hello fishes, Please suggest which one is best in terms of WLB, Job security and carrier growth. 1. Hitachi Vantara 2. Rakuten India 3. Persistent systems limited 4.Neudesic LLC 5. Thoughtworks
6.Publicis Sapient

Not received offer so far. All the above in pipeline please suggest me how much can expect.

Tech stack: Dot. Net Full stack developer, 7+ exp Please provide some insight about the company suggest by you.

CTC: 15 LPA fixed

like

Quantiphi analytics pvt ltd. Hi Guys,

What is the salary range for senior data engineer at Quantiphi?

I have asked for 30% hike on my current ctc.
Please help me with the salary bracket for above mentioned role and also share your feedback about work life balance.

Thanks in advance

My current CTC is - 24.5 LPA
Experience - 3.5years
Quantiphi

Accenture vs ZS for WLB?

I have technology backgorund but if ZS WLB is good might consider strategy too.

like

How is the working environment in GSK GCC and how is WLB..

Hi, i have received an offer as a senior technology consultant from EY India Bangalore location.

16LPA fixed with variable 20%max .YOE 3.2 yrs

1) How is EY India? I have asked people working there and everyone has said positive things about the organisation. Wanted to double check.

My main objective is to learn as much as I can. I know the work life balance can be off. I'm willing to work 9 -10 hours a day.

I have other offers from Cognizant.
Which one to join, please suggest 5 days left.

like

Hi,

Which is better
CitiusTech or Deloitte . Salary is not a concern wlb and projects are important. 5 yoe.

like

I am going to join jpmc in Mumbai for Risk CCB Strategic Analytics (HL Origination) -601
YOE 7.
Could someone please tell me about WLB, kinds of projects and work environment in general there. Also how much is the ideal CTC for this level?

Hello Guys,

Could please name the PSU BANK projects with EY ?
How is the work load in PSU projects ?

like

Hi
How is Broadridge Hyderabad in terms of career growth, work life balance and onsite opportunities.
Can someone from broadridge please help.

like

Exploring another opportunity and need some advices. How do you like being a technical writer and how’s the pay in general and workload/stress?

like

More Posts

“You are lucky that I’m talking to you right now” - is this type of response too cocky ?

Are we permitted work phones? New joiner today!

Who wins this trade:
Sony Michel and Joe mixon for Pat mahomes and OBJ

I have cam Newton as a backup to mahomes.

Thinking of moving from Big4 cyber to Accenture cyber. Any major differences (other than no channel restrictions).

like

Forgive the basic question but can you contract around state statutes? For ex, customer wants to insert state contractor payment statutes and have that state law govern. I’m assuming the way around this is to have another more preferable state as choice of law?

likesmart

Hello everyone,
I have recently moved to Long Beach, CA and I am currently looking for a Recruiting Coordinator or Technical Recruiter role close by. I am also open to hybrid or remote jobs.
5 years of HR and Admin experience, masters in business and management and currently reading towards my SPHR. Also looking for someone well experienced in the field to serve as a career mentor.
Any advice, criticism or suggestions will be appreciated.
Thank you.

like

I am in the process of finishing up my MBA but considering also getting my SPHR or PHR cert. Is it even worth it or a waste of time and money?

like

Does UAE withhold taxes for Indians who do not qualify as NRI or they just pay all the salary and we need to pay while filing taxes in India?

I’m taking the CFP exam Nov 8th. All tips/tricks welcomed !!

Thank you so much.

like

How much higher should my 1099 hourly rate be compared to hourly breakdown of annual salary? Like add 30% for taxes, then roughly how much more considering no benefits etc. - like 10-15%?

like
like

What is the ideal package for 2 years of experience in Python Django Azure and also I have just cleared Associate cloud engineer GCP

Received an offer to upgrade my Amex Everyday to an Everyday Preferred for 40k points. Is that considered a good offer? And if I do upgrade, will it count towards 5/24?

like

I was one of the first people to get a CSR when it first came out - can I downgrade to a CSP and get the CSP bonus? Or how do I take advantage of the 100k CSP signup bonus?

like

Looking to apply for venture x before the offer goes away today. Anyone out there willing to share some of their referral bonus? 50 bucks?

like

Friends I received offer with joining date did not take it due to family emergency then this pandemic came now no joining date for me. How are you guys doing are you getting new people onboard?

Anyone up for sharing your wisdom on preparing for the LSAT with ADHD?

like

My technical interview was on 19th Feb and received HR called me on 22nd feb for salary discussion but again on 22nd Feb 2nd HR called to have managerial round which was scheduled on 25th Feb and again got mail to submit CIS form. After submitting form didn't get any call from HR. Its been 8 days. Is i am ghosted?

like

Is there anything more pathetic than a sad dog 🥹

Post Photo
like

What are the things can be reimbursed under employees wellness program?

like

Additional Posts in Advertising

Is anyone expecting agency layoffs at the moment?

like

Anyone else feel like avoiding all these spots before the super bowl is an extreme sport? Maybe it’s just me, but I want to see them at game time... reading ahead takes all the fun out of it for me.

like

Any advice on nailing the perfect headline?

like

What should I be reading to keep up to do date with new (good) ads. Adfreak? Other?

like

Is how nicely the deck is designed really that important?

like

What is the Netflix employees email format?

like

Thank you all for existing on Fishbowl and for being such a supportive community. It’s been a difficult year, but at the end of the day, I’m glad to have people to commiserate/celebrate with ❤️🙂❤️

like

Advice needed!
I have been a strategy and planning associate for a year and a half (first job out of college), I found that I'm not really cut out for this sector of advertising and would like to get more into the creative area. I've applied to countless copywriting jobs but only get rejections. Does anyone have any advice? Are there other areas I should be looking? I'm getting so discouraged at this point so any feedback would be helpful.

like

Do you guys touch type? How long did it take you to learn? lol

like

Have you ever seen a client fired in mid-production?

likefunny

As part of the interview process, a company is asking me to concept a 360 integrated campaign with presentations to multiple teams. Is this normal?

likefunny

Oh good, we get to go through the whole “If we’re talking about it, it worked/it’s good” brouhaha again.

Post Photo
likefunny

Damn, Wolfgang is cleaning up.

like

What is your agency’s maternity or paternity leave policy?

like

Freelancers -- what health insurance do you guys use? I really need to leave my current place but it's hard to find another gig that isn't freelance to full time. But I also need health insurance.

like

It’s so nice that every agency laying off people, have those left standing (and other agencies) trying to hustle jobs for their unemployed friends, but there are also a ton of people who were unemployed prior to Covid...so no severance, job hunting lot longer, and not earning income for longer time...hurting even MORE due to quarantine.

likesmarthelpful

Anyone know spots looking to bring on consulting strategy and new biz pitch work in LA?? Hit me up!!

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

Anomaly NYC? Thoughts? Average AE salary?

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