#utadlife

How did you hear about the Most Promising Multicultural Students (MPMS) Program? I heard about it from an AdGrad/MAIP Alum that worked in my department during my internship at Google this past summer.

What did the MPMS program consist of? What did you do while you were there? The MPMS program is a one-week networking immersion program that connects 2 students, selected from each participating advertising school around the nation, with top industry professionals. We were exposed to agencies ranging from the Publicis Group, Omnicom Media Group, IPG Group and other private agencies, including GSD&M, Droga5, and Widen + Kennedy, and more!  Everyday we had different panelists from different agencies and heard from a few of their Chief Diversity Officers that instilled a yearning desire in each of us to continue fighting for more diversity and inclusion in this industry. Each person brought more insight about the industry, how it has evolved and how the future looks. We even had a mini Career Fair with over 30 agencies ready to network and interview the MPMS Class of 2016.

What was your favorite part about being in New York for a week? It felt like I was in Disney World for ad majors… I was in the heart of the advertising industry. Literally, our hotel was on Madison Avenue and reeked of Mad Men vibes. Everyday brought more knowledge and a burning passion to burst into the advertising industry and start brewing new ideas to help brands flourish. Until we got back to the hotel after eating dinner around 10pm, played catch up with school work, and knocked out (like a little kid after walking through all of Magic Kingdom in one day-hence the Disney World reference).  

Do you believe that being a multicultural student has benefitted you in any way throughout your career? So far, it has. Programs like MPMS, MAIP and Google’s BOLD Internship have opened their arms for a young, dedicated Latina student like me, and I could say the same for my other multicultural peers. However, I’ve seen many people neglect these opportunities, but I urge you, don’t be one of those. Take advantage of these (paid) opportunities.

Do you feel that this program has created more opportunities for you?   Definitely, I networked like I’ve never networked in my life. I met so many influential people in the industry that each inspired me in their own way to keep doing what I’m doing. The Advertising program here at UT has definitely prepped me with enough knowledge and experience. However, I now feel ready to get some experience on the field. This program has allowed me to connect with agencies I had never thought about interacting with until I was actually standing in front of their table or standing in their very own office during our daily agency visits. Within MPMS I formed life long connections with my fellow MPMS class. We are the future, and I can’t wait to see where each of us end up.

In a perfect world, what do you see yourself doing in ten years and where? Running my own department within an agency, eventually my own agency (maybe in 15-20 years)!

You are in both the Media and Creative sequences, something that not many students can say they have accomplished. What has this experience been like for you? This experience has been very rewarding and I feel very fortunate to have been accepted into both sequences. I applied to both of these on a whim. I started off with a passion for creative and ended up falling in love with media planning the next semester as well.  Now that I’ve gotten a chance to take all the required coursework for both, I have no regrets.

Can you name the one thing that you’re most proud of achieving over the course of your professional career? The proudest moment I’ve had in my career so far is being a elected as the Director of Public Relations for the Hispanic Business Student Association. I owe what I’ve learned about this industry and how to run my own little Advertising/PR agency by being in this role.  

You graduate in a few months. What’s next for you?   Hopefully some traveling before starting the full time job (TBD). I’ve got family in Venezuela, Spain and Germany that I haven’t seen in years. So, we’ll see where this summer takes me. But I’m hoping to continue leveraging all the connections I’ve made while participating in MPMS and will keep you guys updated with the agency that decides to make this girl’s advertising dream come to life. \m/

Do you have any advice for underclassmen interested in Advertising or Public Relations as a career? Don’t be afraid to pursue a career in this industry. It’s got it’s ups and downs, but ultimately there will always be a brand that needs help positioning itself in front of the right market with the right message. Also, keep in mind that the industry is going through a paradigm shift where we no longer create advertising, we create brands. And with this means, creating relationships with people that use these brands. With wearable tech, VR and AR all marking their territory in advertising, this is the perfect time for underclassmen like you to take initiative and make yourself a subject matter expert in these new topics. Prove to your future agency that you’re ready to tackle and excel at any new media form that may come your way.

And most importantly, take advantage of the opportunities you come across as an advertising student here at UT. Apply to the creative and/or media sequences, if that’s your calling, and even take BFP courses. Don’t forget about MAIP, MPMS and BOLD Internship program once you hit your last two years of college!

What major did you start with?

I started off with Business as my first major, specifically Marketing.

Why did you decide to add advertising as your second major?

I decided to add advertising because I thought it would compliment my marketing degree really well and make me more knowledgeable about the industry and what I am passionate about.

How do you handle the course load? How is graduating on time looking?

Well, I just recently became a double major, so it hasn’t been too bad. I came in to the university with a lot of credit hours, so I’m technically a year ahead and figured that managing another major wouldn’t be impossible. I’m really just excited to start taking classes for both majors and seeing how they overlap with each other.

What is your long term career goal?

My main long term career goal is to be a successful, respected marketer in the industry. I know that this answer is pretty vague, but I am open to many things and overall just want to make sure I leave an impact wherever I go and have a voice for women and Latinas in business.  

What has been your favorite major-related class so far and why?

So far my favorite class has been ADV 318J. I feel like that class exposes you to a lot and it definitely confirmed my passion for advertising. I wasn’t completely sure if I wanted to double major, but after taking this class it made me very energetic about adding a second major in advertising.

What advice would you give to other students who are considering double majoring or have just added a second major?

I’m going to quote Nike for this advice and say, “Just Do it!” If you realize you don’t want to be a double major later on, at least you gained knowledge about topics that truly interest you and you aren’t left wondering, “What if?”

What are a few differences between Stan Richards and McCombs? What do you appreciate about each school?

Both McCombs and Stan Richards are fantastic! Business is my first major, and I absolutely love it! McCombs can be very intense, which is great motivation, while Stan Richards allows more room for creativity. I feel like the schools compliment each other very well and I feel privileged to be able to learn and gain vital skills from both.

When thinking about your dream job, do you see yourself in one field over the other?

I feel like marketing and advertising fall within the same industry. Whether I work on the client or agency side of this industry, I’m still not sure. What I do know is that the knowledge I gain by double majoring will only prove to be beneficial in the future.

When did you join Texas AdGrad? This was my first semester; unfortunately I couldn’t fit it in my schedule any earlier.

What has been your role with AdGrad? I started on the Analytics team, but I basically made my own team working with Facebook ads… I thought it would be a cool opportunity for AdGrad to explore paid social media.

Why media? I love that there is data behind everything and concrete answers- there’s always a reason behind what you are doing. I’m a huge tech geek and I love the technology side of digital media and how quickly it evolves.

What is your dream job? To be president of an ad agency in New York.  

What are some of the most useful lessons you have learned while at the Stan Richards School (both in and out of the classroom)? Advertising has many of components that are very skills-based, but I think what I have learned that will benefit me most are the soft skills like time management and public speaking. If I had been asked two years ago what my biggest fear was, it would have been public speaking.

Favorite class at the Stan Richards School? Gene Kincaid’s digital media class. Message to Gene: we are all going to miss you!

What are some words you live by and why? “Kathryn, you have to be fearless” - Lisa Dobias. It’s all about being confident in yourself.

Plans after graduation? No official plans yet. Interviewing. Planning. Basically, to move to New York and work in the media department of a large ad agency.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Hopefully moving up the ladder.  

Your favorite ad? The Smartcar commercial by BBDO Germany.

Fun fact:

“I actually grew up with out a TV so I didn’t really see ads growing up. It definitely surprises people that I want to work in an industry that I grew up without.”

You realize you spend more time with your group than your roommates. 

The chances you find a classroom in Belo that is empty. 

When you think faster than you can speak.

You check in with your professor and realize you missed something.

Those meetings when you feel like you were actually productive.

Of course you struggle with the “go nowhere fast” meetings as well.

You finally figure out the big idea.

The night before your project is due.

You hand your project in and make your final presentation. 

The whole project becomes a blur.

You bid your teammates adieu.

What does an average day for you look like?

Everyday is so different.

Claire works on:

  - Client deliverables like plans or post-campaign reporting   - Buying media and processing buying details   - Working through executions with creative agencies ensuring everything is built to spec.

Most days also involve meeting with vendors to learn about potential opportunities for Netflix’s digital initiatives.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on Netflix’s media portfolio, trying to become more integrated. OOH (out of home) & print aren’t dead! 

How did you get this job? 

I responded to a job posting on the Texas Media Facebook Page! I connected with a Texas Media alum who worked as a planner on the team. I interviewed via Skype because I was in Houston and I was offered the job a week later!

What award did you receive and for what? Who recommended you? 

My director nominated me for an agency-wide award called The Give A S**t Award. A few months after I started, the team went through big changes that left big shoes to fill, which required me to step up despite limited experience and know-how. It was a challenge, but, apparently, my hard work did not go unnoticed. The Digital Director of MEC North America awarded The Give A S**t Award to me at the agency’s bi-annual all staff meeting. It was exciting and gratifying to be recognized for my hard work; while it was a pretty stressful situation to start in, I learned so much so quickly and gained confidence knowing that in sink or swim situations, I didn’t and won’t drown.

Is this what you thought you were going to be doing after graduating from university? 

Not at all. I was actually laid off after client transitions a shy 3-months into my first job in Houston, Texas. Timing is everything however, and within a month I had a pretty wild, plot-twist locked down for my current role here in California!

Is there anyone in The Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations that you would like to say something to? 

A moment that’s stuck with me since graduation was during a lecture for media psychology with LeeAnn Kahlor. One day, she dismissed class pretty early into a lecture after one of her students had passed away. In parting, she said she had us leave that day because “there’s just more to life,” and in my career I try to remember this when things seem overwhelming. 

While my work brings me a lot of life, I’m not saving lives, so many thanks to her for acknowledging something not often acknowledged. It’s true that your work, no matter how rewarding, will not keep you warm at night and remains a good reminder not to neglect the things in life that will.

Any advice for students? Tracy Arrington taught us to be kind to everyone and she’s right! No industry is quite as incestuous as advertising.

Sokolich’s last words of advice, 

“Stay curious and you can’t lose.” 

Texas AdGrad wishes Sokolich the best as she continues in her career.