Expert: Peter Gabany - 2/5/2004

Question
Hello

My name is Dan and I am a sophomore Finance and Marketing major at the University of Dayton. Looking over your profile it is obvious you have had a very successful career and I was wondering how you first broke in with the industry, and if you had any advice regarding internships and job searches.

Thanks
Dan

Answer
Dan,

Don't hesitate, be strong willed and go after what it is that you want. This industry is hard and cut-throat (sometimes) and you have got to take a leading role to get ahead.

I started out by doing it on my own. In otherwords, I started my own agency. As a comment on the path that I took… don't do it. Get experience first! I wish I could start my career now with the tools I have. We have just celebrated our 18th year in business and while it feels great, we know that t would have been far easier had we received experience first.

If you think that you are the best the go for the best you can achieve. Be extremely bold and take risks. It is the only way to get noticed. If you can wrangle an internship, go for it. At the very best and biggest shop. If your day starts at 9 and ends at 5 then make sure you're there for 8 and work till 8. Odd thing is that you will probably find the owners working the same hours… and they will respect you for doing the same.

Good luck.


Pete