#UONYC: The Women of Flock on What We Wish We Knew
Complete with #TBT pics, you’re welcome.
You’re staying up late redesigning your portfolio, filling out applications, comparing professional wardrobe notes, and mainlining coffee. We remember, and we lived to tell the tales. Here’s what we wish we knew way back when.
“Don’t get intimidated by others on the trip who might brag about their upper hand. Focus on yourself and your goals for the trip. Advertising can be competitive, but not everything needs to be a competition. Genuine curiosity and personality will take you further than you think.” — Kerry Merrill, project coordinator at Saatchi & Saatchi
“I wish I would’ve set up more time to meet with people, especially alumni while I was in the city. Whether to buy them a quick lunch from a food truck, grab coffee, or meet for a drink — I could’ve done more to make personal connections. Those connections are important because while the agency visits are incredible and informative, they don’t get you a job. Reach out and set up time to get to know someone in the industry. Ask for advice or feedback. It helps you create an ally and the beginnings of your personal network, which trust me, is so important!” — Chelsea Coleman, strategy at Rokkan
“More often than not, people WANT to help you! I used to be so intimidated reaching out to people who had the super cool jobs, and thought I would be a bother if I tried to make contact. But now that I have a job, I get so excited when someone reaches out to me to make a connection. So don’t be afraid to say ‘hi!’” — Kasey Coffey, graphic designer at BECCA Cosmetics
“The city is a grid. The long blocks go East to West, the short blocks go North to South.” — Sarah Sharp, copywriter at Mother
“Be a tourist now! Take lots of pictures in the street, be fascinated by everything, go to crowded attractions and wait in lines. If you move here, you can do these things too, but you’ll probably have less time, get used to walking fast on the streets, and forget that seeing the Empire State Building everyday is a thing that’s actually pretty cool.” — Kate Rohrich, copywriter at MRM/McCann
“If you’re trying to live it up as a tourist, plan ahead! Make a list of the restaurants you want to try, landmark destinations you want to hit up, shopping that isn’t in Eugene, etc. Organizing by neighborhood and starring things on your Google Maps is super helpful as you never know what may be around the corner from your agency visit. Also, you probably won’t be able to do it all — and that’s okay! Also also, Brooklyn is a thing (and a fun thing at that) so don’t shy away from the borough.” — Kim Uong, strategy at AKQA
“I wish I would have better remembered that it’s not all about the job. It’s about life. While some people will come back with internships, and you better have your book ready and be on point, remember it’s not the end of the road and a lot of other valuable things can come out of the experience. Do you even like New York? What agency vibes do you actually like? Maybe you’re practicing stepping into your confidence for the first time! And of course, you’ll inevitably make some of the last, and best, memories with your friends before graduation.
Basically, don’t get caught up in the competition and forget to experience all of it. And remember: others’ success is not your failure.” — Kate Rohrich, copywriter at MRM/McCann
“The best free public bathrooms are in Apple stores, there’s one in almost every neighborhood.” — Colleen Cass, strategy at ACE Content
“It’s pronounced HOWston, not Houston.” — Spice Walker, strategy at Rokkan
“Bodegas sell everything your heart could desire. Beer, bandaids, avocados, lottery tickets, nail polish remover, boujee coconut water, not-so-boujee, ready-made cheeseburgers. Also almost every bodega has a bodega cat. Truly magical.”— Rachel Ellam, art director at Mother”
“Don’t take shots before the alumni event.” — Chelsea Coleman, strategy at Rokkan
“If you have curly hair, watch the weather and plan on wearing it up/back because humidity and neck sweat AIN’T NO JOKE.” — Chloe Rask, copywriter at Laundry Service
“Solid questions to ask people during an interview or getting coffee:
- What is the most challenging part of your job?
- How do you think the field of (strategy, creative, etc) is changing? What’s driving that?
- What is an insight that you’re really proud of? How did you arrive at it?
- Beyond just your agency, what are your accounts like?
- Do you work on multiple accounts at a time, or are you focused on one? What do you like about the brand/clients?
- If I was to be an intern at your agency, how would I take some stress off your shoulders? What’s a skill, or trait that would bring the most value to your team?
- I’m really proud of this project I did in school, and I would love to continue building it out in the next few weeks. If you have time, would you mind giving some feedback?
- What do you do outside of work? What are you passionate about?
- If they’re a Duck: Do you think the work you did in school is applicable to the work you do now?
— Spice Walker, strategy at Rokkan
“If you have to ask a friend if your outfit is agency appropriate, it probably isn’t. It’s better to overdress than to show up too casual or be tugging at a short skirt.” — Rachel Ellam, art director at Mother
“The subway NEVER works when you need it to! Give yourself an extra 20–30 minutes before agency visits and use apps like Citymapper, Hop Stop and good ‘ol Google Maps to help you navigate the city. Bonus points if you put your phone on airplane mode to save battery life while you’re underground!” — Amelea Renshaw, strategy at Anomaly
“New Yorkers are only rude if you disrupt their flow. If you need to pause for anything — directions, to check your phone, to take a picture — step to the side or as close to a wall as humanly possible and you’ll avoid the icy glares and exasperated huffs.” — Rachel Ellam, art director at Mother
“I wish I would have known that everyone who seemed so smart and out of reach has struggled to get established here, too. Everyone I interviewed with, all the alumni with the glamorous success stories — all of them have taken the wrong train, sweat through their blouses on the way to an interview, and wondered (even in secret) if this pain-in-the-ass place is worth the hype.”— Sarah Sharp, copywriter at Mother
“Remember that New York doesn’t have to be the end all be all. Sure, everyone will be talking about New York and there will be a certain pressure for you to be here. But don’t force yourself to love New York if your heart isn’t truly in it. There are a ton of other places in the world with great agencies. Go with what feels right for you.” — Spice Walker, strategy at Rokkan
xo,
Flock
