Expert: Ann Addy - 11/5/2002

Question
I graduated with a marketing degree in May of 2002. I have been on numerous interviews that I thought would lead to a marketing job, but it always ended up being sales. I especially dislike selling! Most companies do not tell you that it's a sales position because they know that people dislike sales.
Currently I am taking classes for my MBA, and should receive it in 1 year. I am hoping that this gives me an edge over other people.
I like being creative and would like to create TV commericals, print ads, and etc. Does having a marketing degree put me behind people that have an advertising degree?
Currently I am interning as a marketing manager at a extremely small firm and hate it because I have nobody to learn from. I would rather start off as an assistant and learn from my facilitor. However I my current position looks good on a resume (the pay is not good).
Do you have any suggestions? Should I give up on marketing and focus on advertising?

Thanks
Thad

Answer
Thad -- If the creative side is what you want to do I would try to interview or talk with advertising agencies. Your marketing degree is a good degree but for the creative most places are going to want to see a portfolio of work. The sooner you can develop that the better.  Volunteering to do creative for a non-profit agency is a good way to build a portfolio and you'd be doing them a service.

Use this internship to learn all you possibly can before moving on. Try to identify professional organizations that you can get involved in and find a mentor. Read trade publications and do research on advertising and marketing.

Best of luck to you! Ann