Expert: Sean Trapani - 2/16/2009

Question
Hi there,
Gayatri here from India. I am a creative person and have always been inclined towards creativity and art. However, I have not yet been able to display my creativity to people in the Ad-agencies in India. Due to financial constraints I was not able to pursue my Masters Degree in Journalism else today I would have been employed by a good News Agency. Since I was unable to pursue higher education, I thought I could excercise my Creative Ability to craete something out of the box. I have the tendency to grab things easily and it comes to me naturally. I also try and recreate things that I have seen and also modify it to make multiple use of what I have made. Please let me know what I could write/Visualize or create to present to people in the Ad-agencies to prove that I am naturally creative?

Answer
Hello, Gayatri

Most people are creative. Some use their creativity to paint. Others use it to compose music, cook, take pictures or write poetry. Other people apply their creative skills to the way they raise their children or even the way they balance their checkbook.

I say this not to minimize your passion or confidence. But merely to remind you that "creativity" is only a small portion of what is needed to work in a trade.

Glass blowers need to be creative, but must also know how to work with the raw materials. Musicians need to be creative, but must also know how to play an instrument. And advertising people need to be creative, but must be trained in the business, software and psychology of the profession.

If you truly have a calling to pursue a career in advertising, you must prepare for it. And unless you know someone in advertising who can personally mentor you, you must go to school and learn the skills to complement your creativity.

Everything in life is sacrifice. If you really want this, you will find a way.

Kindest regards,

ST