Notes from an Intern

With all that has been going on at BBDO in the past few weeks, it has been almost impossible to catch up on everything. Meetings with Dodge and Jeep have been around every corner which means presentations and boards have been in and out of the matte room with a turn around rate of insanity. I have learned to stay calm though, through it all. For the most, part it made me realize I need to remember to do the same thing with school. I need to remind myself that things always get done on time, and even if things are to be changed before going to final presentation, it is ok. There is no need to stress out over work. Afterall, those of us that went into this career knew what we were signing up for.

It was a great experience at BBDO. I enjoyed the people I worked with, the advice I received and the encouragement I got from everyone at the company. It definitely changed my outlook. I grew, as a person, in so many various ways. I have a tremendous amount of self confidence as well as security in my capabilities now. I believe that it is easier to defend your work and make better decisions when you go through such an experience as I have with BBDO. It is something that you cannot get simply from being in the classroom because you are working with numerous types of people on a daily basis, with college you pretty much have the same peer group from class to class. It give you the opportunity to learn what works in advertising, what does not work and how to take risks without stepping on feet.

I firmly believe that I established myself as a hard worker and a dedicated person. I have set goals for myself while being with BBDO Detroit, and for the most part achieved all that I had hoped. I built bonds with people by networking, I was offered a position with a company that works closely with BBDO and I am walking away with a more profound sense of who I am as an art director. I set guides for myself to get feedback from art directors about homework and my portfolio, and think that all the advice they gave me makes my work extremely better. The ideas have been simplified, more original and clear to understand. By talking with people in the agency I have built up a report that makes me realize I am a much better addition to the industry than I may have previously believed. I have great respect for all the individuals that have taken the time to help me grow this semester.

It's like a boot camp of routines for me. Homework, school, work, internship. Sometimes I forget what day it is. But it also makes me laugh, that although there is so much going on in my life, I remember the days I used to dream about having this much in my life to do and accomplish! I am finally beginning the road into advertising. I believe in myself and the ideas I have been producing this past year. I think that I have truly made the right decisions in making my life a happier and more productive one. The new people and influences I have encountered will remind me of exactly why I work as hard as I do in school...it is so that one day when I graduate I can be an influential force to younger students. Ahh, the cycle of life, it's a wonderful thing.

I am very proud of the progress I have made this semester. I think I would have eventually gotten to this point, but without BBDO it may have taken much longer to reach it. I feel more confident in my creative ideas, I feel excited to present concepts, and I am not afraid or shy to give my opinions about others work. I have grown so much in just these past couple months that I am going to be thrilled to see what the future brings for me as well!

I have been feeling quite like a chicken with its head cut off around here lately, but after this week everything will be slowing down. I have mastered the ability to keep myself from stressing out, been more productive at making homework schedules for myself, and above all making sure I do not forget things that need to be done on a list of priorities. I believe that this internship has definitely benefitted me this semester. I know that I have felt changes, and have heard many people tell me they have seen the changes. It is a good feeling to have when you realize that all the hard work is paying off.

Although it has not been that long since I started interning at BBDO, I am amazed at how much I have learned. Whether it be simply working on how to master my craftsmanship, or sitting and discussing ideas with the creatives I see on a daily basis. On the evening I stayed a bit later it was not because I felt pressured to at all, but for me it was more about the experience to see how the business world works and how people work together on assignments for clients. It also helped me to get to know some of the art directors I had not previously gotten to converse with. Many times throughout the day I witness the creatives riding by on bikes or scooters down the hallways, I had to give it a try. It definitely takes you back to childhood, and it helped me to understand that although these people have been in the industry for several years, it is refreshing to see that they still enjoy goofing around to lighten the atmosphere. It is definitely an experience that I will not soon forget. It makes me happy to know that it is a fun field and you have to work hard but sometimes it helps to be able to have the freedom to also play hard!