Expert: Sean Trapani - 8/7/2009

Question
Dear Mr. Trapani:

I recently graduated from a university in southern california more known for engineering than design, advertising, creative writing, etc.  I graduated with a B.S. in human resources, minoring in marketing and international business, realizing now that I would rather be creative and write than manage an office (though I do not have any actual experience in this area).  I contacted many ad agencies asking about positions or internships with no luck.  I am now researching portfolio schools in hope of breaking into the ad business.  I have heard of some, like the Miami Ad school, but I would like to know your opinion on the Chicago Portfolio School.  They promote what I want to hear from an ad school, but as a person who has no idea about this business, I would like to know from someone with knowledge and experience.  Also, I was wondering if you could recommend any other schools that could help me and my predicament.

Thank you,

Nate

Answer
Portfolio schools are good - but I recommend them for someone who has some (at least one year) training in advertising theory (either via some experience in the field or some undergraduate training). Portfolio schools are excellent for helping you create a good portfolio; but are less effective at training the foundational theories on how to think like an ad man.

In other words, you walk out of there with a nice trophy, but not that well trained on how to fish.

You might consider a graduate program in advertising instead of a portfolio school. Some excellent choices are SVA in NY, Brandcenter in VA, and SCAD in GA.


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