Recap Time: Strategy Panel Discussion
Let's get into it!
Last Friday, we had various awesome panelists from different agencies share their experiences about entering the strategy industry. We heard from Matt Isner of Charles Ryan Associates, Shaunda Lambert Gary of Salt and Light Agency, Andrew Aquino, a Freelance Strategy Director and VCU Adjunct Professor, Sarah Newman, a Strategist at The Martin Agency, and Lauren Lawson, an Account Supervisor at Arts and Letters.
Getting Started in Your Career
Sarah mentioned that looking for a good mentor when you're young can really help when getting started in your career. Shaunda expressed how she "fell into" her career—she went to school for fashion and PR, then went to New York without a job and fell into the hustle there. Andrew’s best advice from his first job was that “everything communicates.” Lauren mentioned that, as much as they interview you, you should also interview them and do your due diligence. And lastly, having smaller internships helps shape your skills and experiences for your future.
Tips for moving to a new city
Our panelists offered so much advice to our students, including tips for moving to a new city. They emphasized the importance of making time to explore, attending festivals, and trying new restaurants. They also encouraged students to get out there and not stay trapped. Specifically, they highlighted that there are so many other places you can go besides New York. They mentioned how New York is intense, with its rush, and pointed out that there are many other beautiful cities to consider, so don’t discount the others. 'Go where the opportunity takes you.'
How to be a good strategist
One major theme was how customer service jobs really helped them get to where they wanted to be. They said to be prepared to change jobs at any given moment and that it's important to embrace change. 'Take all the opportunities you can get,' they advised, 'but stay rooted in data and research, as everything is rooted in that.' They also emphasized figuring out what story you want to tell in all of your work. Doing your own research, utilizing the library and databases, is essential—telling a story is important. When starting out, 'touch everything and get your hands wet.' And most importantly, make time for the things that are important to you.
AI and how it can help you
We also discussed AI and how it can help you. Our speakers advised taking it all with a grain of salt. It makes things easier, and you can lean on it for support, but don’t let your work rely entirely on it. AI can be used to create a starting point.
