I am a recent graduate looking for employment in the advertising/ pr fields. What I am finding is that many companies are not hiring by merit but by who they know, race, and who will work for free. My economic stand point just won’t allow that. I had two outstanding internships with top companies in the advertising field in Chicago and I am still expected to work for free. This field seems too much for people who have financial support in their life and I want to get out early enough before its too late. I am thinking about entering the teaching profession. Should I make this move after being out of school for one month and searching for my entire senior year up until now? Do you think that teaching is a great field to explore? I am just fed up. I am not a quitter but I am thinking economically. The world needs teachers and I love kids. Advertising a product that is not always needed is not a necessity. I had doing it, but I need something that will take me places financially.
Note: When I say work for free…I mean work for free! No commission straight internship status all over again!
February 26th, 2009 at 6:03 am
There is FAR more money in advertising than teaching. Have you thought about relocating? Or maybe you are just not looking in the right places, because not everyone will hire for FREE thats absurd.
Teaching is enjoyable, but it pays horribly.
March 1st, 2009 at 2:31 pm
One month is not enough time to give up your University degree and move on.
When you say work for free I don’t think you literally mean work for no pay. There has to be a commission based income or a low starting salary involved. Nobody in America works for no pay.
Everyone has to start somewhere. I think you may have set high expectations and now are faced with the realization that making it in Advertising is tough. Jobs are hard to get, the field is highly competitive and Ad Agencies are looking for experienced employees. What you need to do is get your foot in the door and work your way up.
As far as teaching is concerned, it is a wonderfully fulfilling career and if you choose to go that route I hope you put your whole heart into it. Whatever you choose, you will do well, but give your first choice more time. One month is not long enough.
March 4th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Okay I think teaching is a great field to explore, but it is not an easy job and I **** when ppl give up what they want and just use teaching as a back up. (I do understand how this can happen though) Perhaps you can sign up to substitute teach while continuing to look for work. On average it takes 6 months out of college to get a job (I took a whole class on this subject). This is the average! That means it is less for some and more for others. I don’t know where you would fall into the spectrum. If you would really like working in advertising I say hang in there and find a regular old j-o-b to pay the bills. When you do find a job in advertising you will still be starting at the bottom and have to work your way up…
I just reread what you asked and I see you say you like kids. Teaching may be for you, there is much reward in it. However, depending on where you live you will need to be certified to teach or at least be working on that during your first year teaching. This takes time and money. Maybe you should look into it and start substituting this fall to make sure you really like the kids at school that much. Some ppl love kids and enter the classroom and end up hating it.
Hope it all works out for you.
Best wishes!
March 4th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Ummm … has anyone ever told you how much teachers get paid? It isn’t usually a fiscal choice that drives people to teach - it’s a passion.
Have you been back in touch with the company you interned with? Sometimes they will rehire people.
I don’t know how difficult your particular field is to break into - but I do know once you do it is more fiscally lucrative than teaching!
You may try and work though your school’s Career Center and see if there is something more you can do. You also might consider your MBA - you can teach most places with that and it might open other doors in Ad/PR for you.
Sorry I can’t be more help.
Best of luck!