How to Succeed in Challenging Times
Tips From an All-Star Ad/PR Graduate and Faculty, by Javier Garcia
Folks who have had my class know that during the beginning of the semester, I like to proudly drop a few important facts about myself:
One, that I am a two-time CCNY graduate, a proud product of both the BIC Master of Professional studies degree program, and the Undergraduate Ad/PR program that I am now fortunate enough to teach in
Two, that I graduated in 2009, right in the middle of a major economic crisis, and was fortunate enough to land a full-time job immediately after graduating
Three, that I am a distance runner, who has trained for and run multiple marathons (and one 60 kilometer ultramarathon)
I share these facts not to humblebrag, but to reiterate that setting goals for one’s self, creating and sticking to a plan, and putting in the work are the keys to success.
And while the circumstances that we all find ourselves living and working within now are unlike anything we could have imagined, the tools, resources and network within your reach as CCNY students have only become that much more valuable.
The following top tips have been crowdsourced between our Ad/PR faculty and all-star alums to help our students succeed, even in extraordinarily uncertain times:
Be intentional across all of your efforts. Perhaps you’re a recent graduate looking for a job or internship. Maybe you’re a few years into your career. Wherever you might be on your journey, every step you take should be with the intention of getting you to that next level. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and stay laser-focused on your goals to ensure that they come across in all of your conversations and actions.
Graduated within the past year? Take advantage of exclusive and time-sensitive opportunities offered by CCNY. As soon as you graduate, the clock starts ticking - recent graduates must OPT-IN to two especially valuable services offered to newly minted CCNY alumni.
Start by activating your year of free membership in the CCNY Alumni Association at http://ccnyalumni.org
Then, connect with CCNY’s Career and Professional Development Institute for one year of resume writing and job placement assistance after graduation. Visit https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/cpdi and/or contact
Connect with Ad/PR alumni on LinkedIn & other social channels.
Reach out to fellow CCNY graduates outside of Ad/PR who might work in advertising & PR. Start the conversation by identifying yourself as a CCNY graduating looking for a way into the industry for all but guaranteed response from your target. And...
Reach out to Ad/PR graduates across all graduation years. Senior CCNY alums who have been in the industry for a few years are more likely than most to be able to support you in your job search. Depending on their situation, they may have influence over hiring decisions, or be able to leverage their network to get you that much closer to a job. HINT: If you’re wondering how and where to find CCNY or Ad/PR graduates, LinkedIn’s search functionality offers a number of very powerful options to narrow your search to graduates of specific schools (like CCNY) and specific degree programs (like Ad/PR). Familiarize yourself with the social platform’s search function - try finding me using the previously mentioned criteria as an exercise! - and don’t be afraid to put it to use.
Drop by Ad/PR’s Annual Building Bridges Career Fair & Networking Mixer. SAVE THE DATE: Building Bridges 2021 will be taking place on Thursday, November 18th, 2021. While current students get priority access to interview with recruiters, recent graduates looking for new opportunities will be provided access to recruiters based on availability. We hope to see you there!
Never stop learning. Scale up your skills by looking at programs such as General Assembly and COOP. Explore professional certifications from Google and Facebook. And consider graduate school programs, such as CCNY’s own Branding & Integrated Communications (BIC) Master of Professional Studies program. Expanding your credentia
ls expands your professional opportunities.
Lastly, never give up hope. While the immediate odds and circumstances may seem daunting, industry opportunities tend to come in waves. For instance, it often seems as if hiring for full-time communications roles tends to peak early in the new year, again in the early spring months, and again towards both the end of the summer and the end of year. What that means is that you should be keeping an open mind on which companies you’re applying to, keep an eye on the trades for agencies that have secured new business wins, applying for new roles on an ongoing basis, and reminding yourself that new windows of opportunity are continually opening up.
“Apply” is a verb you should not only be doing as you pursue a job or internship - it’s a term that should describe what you are actively doing as you aim to grow your careers. As CCNY students and past or recent graduates, you have access to a world of resources, knowledge, and individuals that can help you succeed - IF you apply them. Best of luck and success to you all in your careers!
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