The Art of Influence: A Theme and Work Goal
Digital and print portfolios showcased the future professionals talent who attended Meet The Pros 2024. During portfolio reviews completed by more than 55 working professionals, ideas and critiques proved to be an event highlight.
College students, a group of their instructors, and advertising professionals converged to share real world experiences and realities of this profession over the course of a compact day-and-a-half agenda.
This year, humor was especially in vogue, as the event was held at the Funny Bone Comedy Club on February 29 and March 1, 2024. A panel presentation of recruiters that hire creatives and working, young professionals shared tips and strategies for landing that first job out of college. AAF Nebraska thanks Tad Carpenter from Kansas City, Missouri and Greg Daake who arrived from Chicago, Illinois for leading keynote presentations that hit the design and copy mark.
Students from Creighton University, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Nebraska Kearney, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Western Iowa Tech Community College, Union College, and Mid-Plains Community College converged at this popular annual event.
Olivia Murphy with Smith Kroeger served as event emcee. In her opening presentation, she acknowledged that students come to network and get a job. Attendees hoped to hear about job opportunities and learn about different careers. With these needs in mind, committee members designed a mixture of presentations and interactive activities.
Chair Shaela Wepfer has been on the committee for three years. She relied heavily on the voice of young professionals to make sure that the sessions aligned with the needs of students as entry-level candidates.
Dollars For Future Professionals
While The Art of Influence was the title of this year’s gathering, paying it forward was one of the intentions of the event sponsors. The committee appreciates our sponsors:
A Quieter View
Brad Eubanks, armed with 25 years experience, led one of the fascinating presentations prepared for the audience. Speaking to the crowd on an introverts guide to working in advertising and marketing, he offered practical suggestions. Be prepared and curious. Ask your co-workers and clients to send materials prior to meetings for your review. Know that introverts have skills, great listening, and collaborative abilities. Empathy, thinking deeply, detail orientations, and taking direction well are workplace skills introverts embody. While working one-on-one is most comfortable, group work goes well with study and asking good questions.
In networking, Eubanks advised the students to set goals like having two or three good conversations during a gathering. Practice with feeling comfortable in group settings and “being an extravert.”
Instructor Speaks Out
Becky Meyers, a Graphic Design Instructor at Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Nebraska has taught college students for 19 years and worked 17 years prior in the field she teaches. She said “It’s exciting for me to see the interview panel. Students hear from both perspectives (job candidates and employers). It’s interesting for me to see how Meet the Pros inspires students.” She added “It’s an exciting area because the technology is higher. You can never say you arrived. Graphic design is an exciting field.” Meyers appreciates this event for the opportunity to meet professionals and students passionate about their work.
Panel Presents Real World Realities
Young professionals filled the panel composed of working professionals and recruiters that hire for creative roles. An organic list of ideas was shared to questions answered by each panelist tied around the idea of helping the students seek and find roles upon graduating. High on the list was completing an internship(s) in their field of choice.
Practical ideas revolved around setting up coffees with Creative Directors to meet and review their design or copywriting portfolios. Networking with industry professionals and seeking practical guidance on resumes and interview skills help improve chances in landing your first professional job.
Another share was being realistic about the first role you will fill, knowing it may not be the ideal fit. A big topic of discussion was looking at the potential employer’s values and culture, making sure that they align well. As always, researching the company or non-profit and their leadership is an important element of a successful interview. Writing thank you notes is also a great way to differentiate yourself in a competitive pool of applicants.
Our Students Perspective
Jake Fischer sat in the seats to both gain information and network. Fischer said, “I’m interested in learning people’s stories and seeing how I could succeed in a similar fashion.” He counts as a takeaway getting to meet new people working in advertising and expanding his network.
Tyler Eubanks is a Senior Visual Communication and Design student at the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. He attended Meet the Pros in 2022 and 2023. “I think it’s a good opportunity to learn about different designers and people in the field who you might work with including copywriters and designers.” Eubanks appreciated the portfolio review opportunity. He dreams of working in layout and typography for video game designers and creating their logos and collateral materials.
All joking aside, Meet the Pros 2024 was designed for college students seeking their first career position and was heavily influenced by the young professionals voice.
