A postcard for WKU Human Relations that I completed recently.

For the past couple of weeks, Heather has been going over the “Job Search” section in our handbooks.  Especially to upcoming graduates, it has been extremely helpful.  Heather has covered everything from resumes to portfolios and what not to wear.  One of the most important things that I have learned is to be comfortable no matter what.  Dress nice for interviews but also be comfortable; find a nice portfolio to show your work, but find one that makes you comfortable.

Not only has Imagewest been a growing experience, but I have also met some really awesome people! The projects and deadlines can be stressful at times, but everyone is always there to pat you on your back and give you the positive feedback you need.  Although everyone is working on different projects, we still continue to work as a team and complete projects together.

The Imagewest Ninjas celebrate Halloween.

Everyone can benefit from relaxation and de-stressing. The following are some tips on how to deal with stress:

• Make a to-do list so that you can manage your time and not stress over your schedule. You have to admit that checking something off a to-do list just feels good.
• Take slow, deep breaths when you feel yourself getting frustrated or stressed. It’s like a tiny bit of meditation and it works.
• Take sporadic breaks when you’re working on a difficult or lengthy project. This is one of the best ways to prevent brain overload.
• Don’t expend too much energy on those things that are not priorities. Focus more on the important things. And no, making sure you have enough time to go to the bar is not classified as “important.”
• Make sure you have some time to yourself, away from all the stress.
• Let go of those perfectionist habits.
• Find your fun-loving inner child and remember to enjoy life. Yes, it sounds a bit cheesy, but it really helps.
• Be sure to get plenty of restful sleep every night. Yes, I know this is very difficult to do sometimes, but the more restful sleep you get, the better you will feel. People get grouchy when they haven’t had enough sleep.
• Take care of yourself. Make sure you eat properly and exercise. If you have the resources, go get a massage, or go to the salon and get a manicure or pedicure. You deserve it.

These tips can definitely help when you have exams to study for and four different papers to write.

Imagewest Ninjas Rebecca Strand and Marissa Yennie enjoy caramel apples at Jackson's Orchard, a Bowling Green favorite.

Recently the team went to Jackson’s Orchard where we all ate some caramel apples and picked out some pumpkins to carve! On Thursday, Kristen and I went to a ribbon cutting at Baker Bros. here in town. We got to try some great food and help support a local business (I would highly recommend the Napa turkey sandwich)!

A couple of weeks ago I went on a job shadow to Bandy Carroll Hellige in Louisville, Ky., where I got to spend the day learning about their company and the people who run it. I realized how important it’s now to know interactive in the graphic design industry; people expect you to be skilled in everything. Fortunately with my upcoming job search, I feel pretty prepared.

And now for the clichés: Take those extra steps. Go the extra mile. Don’t ask what your education can do for you, but ask what you can do for your education. Don’t just do what is asked of you but go above and beyond to further expand your horizons.

Not only do I encourage getting hands-on experience through an internship, but I encourage you to do the small things as well.  If you’re an Internet buff, get online and look at blogs in the industry you want to go into. Look at what thought leaders are saying. Research companies that you might want to look for. If you like to read, pick up some books about topics that interest you and can also apply to your industry. Look to industry journals and publications for more information. Attend lectures and events on campus that you are interested in. Try new things and take advantage of campus opportunities. Also, think creatively and take on your own projects. As our agency manager always says, “Be a sponge.”

I am a public relations major, marketing minor, nutrition minor and I am constantly surrounding myself with these topics. I have RSS feeds to industry blogs such as Richard Edelman’s 6am and David Meerman Scott’s Web Ink Now. This semester, I have numerous books on my list including Made to Stick by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, Pyro Marketing by Greg Stielstra, Nudge by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein, Words that Work by Frank Luntz, and The End of Overeating by David Kessler. I have taken on a few projects on my own that I am interested in as well.

Take this time in college to be open to new opportunities. These small things can make a big difference when it comes to getting a job because it shows that you are knowledgeable and will take initiative even when no one asks you to.  Don’t take these things for granted– when you enter the “real world,” you may not have the chance (or time) to do these things.

Over fall break we all had the opportunity of shadowing at a company of our choosing. Most people picked agencies located in or near their hometowns, so naturally I chose to shadow a company in my hometown, which just so happens to be around Houston, Texas. I picked an advertising/marketing agency called STANANDLOU. Shadowing at STANANDLOU was unlike any job related experience I have had. The people were all so incredibly nice and informative. Scott Brinkmeyer, the Associate Art Director, gave me some great tips on my portfolio as well as tips on how to have a successful job search. I feel so lucky to have had such an eye opening experience — not many people get the chance to do a job shadow, especially for such a wonderful agency as STANANDLOU. I highly recommend a job shadow to anyone who is presented with the opportunity!

Stan, of STANANDLOU, and me

We are all efficiently working to wrap up the week. However, Fridays wouldn’t be complete without the eccentric mix of music coming from Pandora. Tune in next week for another exciting update of intern life!

I chose to visit the CMT office in Nashville. During the first half of my day I shadowed, Danny Shaklan, a member of the CMT Marketing Department. After meeting the rest of the department and touring the building, Danny, started to explain a new viral campaign they were working on for a season continuation of their new show, World’s Strictest Parents. The site allows interaction between viewers and the family featured on the show that week, along with different advice for parents raising difficult teens.

During the second part of my job shadow I followed, Amanda Murphy, CMT’s Corporate Communication Manager. I got to sit in on a webinar relating to the positive impact twitter can have for businesses and/or events. The webinar provided insight on how to properly use a hash sign, how conventional it is to re-tweet, and how to create a custom panel to target a specific demographic.

After hearing about the other intern’s job shadows I have concluded that while some were similar experiences, they were all different in their own way. Check out next week’s blog to see what new and exciting adventures we are tackling at the agency!

Here are a few key reasons why bringing your message to the web is important:

• Educate your customers. Web sites provide a place for you to provide in-depth information about your organization and your services. An FAQ or products page can help users better understand what you offer. This can lead to sales, or at very least, a call.
• Let your customers educate you. If a large percentage of your target market is online, social networking sites like Facebook or Twitter will provide a more convenient method of contact. Social networking allows businesses to truly connect with and understand their base. With the right online environment, not only will customers keep up with what you’re doing, they will be able to provide real-time feedback through commenting on your updates or by messaging you.
• Market yourself for more than a minute. Online marketing is an immersion experience for users. While it’s true that great websites, like great print advertisements, can pack a big punch at a glance, websites have the edge when it comes to how long they interact with the piece. If users enjoy your online space, they will spend more time with it. And after they leave, they can bookmark it and come back later.
• You’re losing business to other organizations that do have a website. It may be hard to imagine, but some people — especially younger people like me — would rather Google for a phone number than open up a clunky telephone directory. And lots of people prefer e-mailing or doing business online rather than calling or coming to a store. If those people can find your competitor and not you, they’re not seeing you or your message.

It’s important to remember, however, that having a bad Web site is worse than having no Web site at all. Fortunately, Imagewest makes it easy and delivers high quality digital marketing for you. Check out our interactive portfolio for a sample.

Douglas Tanton (far back) met with the Imagewest Ninjas to discuss the future of advertising, marketing, and public relations.

During his visit, Tanton discussed how social, economic, and cultural conditions can and will affect communications in the industry. Discussing interesting trends and developments between the leading agencies, he proposed that successful agencies are now driven by the global market. He expressed this new trend as what he labels “The Spirit of Authenticity.” Now, more than ever, agencies have to be credible and genuine within the market.

Tanton’s visit enlightened our creative minds to how conditions within the world and the rapidly changing technological society vastly change how advertising and public relations are executed. Tanton’s words of wisdom are valuable for those entering an industry that never remains stationary.

Last week we had five of our interns tour the AMS buildings on campus to get ideas for graphic and creative designs to include in our materials we are creating for them. At the end of the week, Jonathan Hargrove, WKU photojournalism labbie, graciously gave the agency a basic course in lighting for photography, so now the gigantic lights do not look quite as intimidating!

On a personal note, I have currently finished a creative work plan for an upcoming client by analyzing the current industry and examining creative solutions and ideas. Also, I have been working on freelance PR and communications outside of the agency for a local WKU family whose son has recently developed autism and needs to be provided a service dog to assist in his daily routines. I have been supplying advice and placing them in different media channels around the region to gain awareness and publicity for their son. As a success note, we recently garnered an article for them in the Bowling Green Daily News, which they were very pleased with.

Although we’re having a good time, we still know how to get down to business. Some of us are in the beginning stages of sketching out ideas and doing research. Others have to move more swiftly to meet the deadlines.

Personally, I’m working through the process of making a logo. Although I’ve done this in class, the process is a bit different for a real client. It’s a big challenge that I have to work through to try to come up with a good solution.

Also, last week I was presented with a great opportunity. Heather, our agency manager, sent us all an e-mail about a part time graphic design job that I just couldn’t pass up. It’s with Studio Calico, a company that sells scrap-booking kits. I’ve been a fan of scrap-booking since I was a kid and have always wanted to get into this industry. I went in for the interview two weeks ago and started a week later. I love it. I’m learning a lot every day, and even though I have a lot on my plate, it’s been worth it so far.

Check back next week for more exciting news!