Expert: Sean Trapani - 2/23/2007

Question
I'm interested in media buying / planning as a career , but what can I do to realize my dream? What can I do to improve my chances?

I'm 30 years old and have earned myself a Bachelor of Art (in Mass Communications) degree in my late 20s through part time studies while working as an administrative support.

The unfortunate thing is that I do not have the relevant experience and have never worked in an advertising or media agency. Everybody seemed to be telling me to get the experience but how to get the work experience when I don't even have the opportunity. It's not as if I didn't try, I'm even willing to take up an internship. What I really want is the job experience.  

Answer
Hi, Gil'

Don't dink me on knowledge credits, but as my profile indicates, my background is in the creative/strategy side of the business. Not media or account service.

But, here's my advice (since you so nicely asked):

At my last agency, the position of jr. media planner was considered an entry-level position. We hired plenty of 22-year olds fresh out of college with marketing degrees and no prior media planning or buying experience.

So...I'm not sure why you're having such a tough time. If you live in a big city, you might be competing with people with specialized degrees right out of school. But medium/smaller towns generally won't have that kind of pool of applicants fighting for the same job.

Here's something you may want to consider. Ad agencies are always looking for entry-level account service people. I know. It's not your dream job. But take it. And get in the door.

When you get in, be the best damned account exec you can, develop trust, get to know the folks in the media department and...you can fill in the blanks. Just don't blow the interview by telling them that what you REALLY want to do is a different job than the one they're trying to fill.

I hope that helps. Best of luck.


Sean