Team "Get Bryn a Job"

I have so much respect for my parents and their professions, but following in their footsteps was never an aspiration of mine. In my defense, applying and attending medical school, performing surgery, and being the doc on call who needs to leave the dinner table on Christmas Eve just as the food is served (multiple years in a row) can't be for everyone. That's why they get paid the big bucks and get to put Dr. in front of everything.

Despite all of the benefits they've earned for themselves and their family through hard work over the years, there's really only one thing they were unable to give me: advice on how to navigate the career search in the advertising/marketing industry. "I tell people you want to do marketing and advertising, but when they ask more about it, I don't really know what to tell them," my dad told me once. Fair enough.

As you can imagine, figuring out what I wanted to do past the general idea of "marketing and advertising" was a bit stressful. And don't even get me started on the initial job search starting in the summer going into my junior year at UNC. What's a cover letter? LinkedIn? Never heard of her.

So what does a good parent do when they feel like they can't help you? Find someone (anyone and everyone!) who can. Family, friends, friends of friends, family of friends, friends of family, alumni, patients, family of patients! Simply reaching out can go such a long way.

At one point I felt disadvantaged by not having direct family members working in advertising, but I now feel unbelievably lucky to have had so many amazing mentor figures to help talk me through my passions, explain more about the industry (and how rapidly and constantly it changes), support me through the failures and rejections, connect me with even more unbelievably generous people, and help me find job opportunities to apply for!

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The Lessons

Don't be afraid to reach out and network. The worst they can do is not get back to you.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. An opportunity to gain experience beats your pride any day. Questions are a sign of engagement!

Keep a notebook and take notes. Whether it's an interview or a networking call, I always take notes: when we spoke, what we talked about, useful advice, questions they asked me, questions I asked them, and anything they asked me to do. This makes follow-up emails an absolute breeze.

Always say thank you. I think you get the point of this one, but I'll take this as a chance to thank everyone who has ever given me the opportunity to connect, talk, or ask questions…thank you!!

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I may still be on the hunt for a post-grad opportunity (and that's okay!), but I know my mentors have faith in me and would do anything to support me. That's really all I can ask!