Expert: Sean Trapani - 1/2/2010

Question
Hello,

I'm currently a junior at Florida State and I've always been interested in working in advertising, but my major is English, more specifically a track in Editing, Writing and Media. I'm also minoring in Communications and Political Philosophy. I wanted to switch my major to Advertising but doing so would delay me a year in school, which I did not want to do.
My question is, how easy or difficult is it to get a job at an ad agency - specifically as an accounts executive, without having majored in the subject. Also, are advertising internships (which I plan to get in order to get the experience I would lack from the course work) difficult to come by if I'm not specifically an advertising major?

Thanks very much in advance.

- Kathy

Answer
Hi, Kathy

Twenty years ago, when I started in advertising, it was not uncommon for someone to come into the agency from a different field; or without advertising education. This was especially true for copywriters, which tended to come from journalism schools and other disciplines.

Over the last 20 years, there has been an explosion of advertising education. One publication puts the number at roughly 16,000 students each year who graduate with advertising training. Combine this with a poor economy and shrinking jobs in advertising (temporarily, anyway) and it doesn't look good for someone in your situation - especially on the account executive side. Agencies can afford to be picky and want someone who has the major (marketing, business and/or communications with a marketing minor). Some now even want an MBA in marketing from entry-level applicants, and they're getting it.

My advice is, hang tough, stay in school another year and earn the degree for the field you want. Leaving school now could be disastrous for your career ambitions.


Prof T

(FSU class of '91)