Career Stepping Stones
Since college, I was focused on becoming an award winning copywriter. In my first position at Buntin Advertising, I understood quickly that you do not graduate with a degree and then step immediately into a high paying position that fulfills your every dream. Over the course of my career there have been stepping stones that have led to my success. Some are a bit surprising.
In an early position I was fired. I was well liked, did good work, and was dedicated to doing everything I could to get the attention of the powers that be including taking midday runs with the president and top executives throughout downtown Nashville. The talk I had with my supervisor the day I was fired confirmed that I was doing nothing wrong and everything as I should, i.e. performing the work required. What he said to me was still a huge disappointment. He said Leslie, you will never get the opportunity to write copy here. Our owner only will give seasoned copywriters a chance. I am going to let you go so you will be able to fulfill your dream.
My next stepping stone was to take a job that was within the purview of my ultimate goal, but not exactly the job description I had hoped. I took a position with a small marketing firm with a range of local and national clients as their PR Manager. However, in small firms, you wear many hats. For me, it allowed me the opportunity to write copy for broadcast and print. I crafted my skills and was thrilled to hear my first radio commercial. While not award winning, I was on my way.
The third stepping stone occurred during a recession when jobs were scarce. During this time, I took a job in advertising sales for Memphis Magazine, Memphis Business Journal and The Tennessean newspaper. There I was responsible for display sales and guess what, I concepted all the ads. Then I sold the clients on the ads. Check, another learning opportunity.
The fourth stepping stone was when I began work in the automotive aftermarket with Burroughs and Associates where the modus operandi was to have the entire team work on creative. There, I excelled not only in PR events and communications, but I had a chance to brainstorm with other sharp minds on campaigns and promotions and write copy if my idea was selected for the client.
My fifth stepping stone occurred when the EVP of Burroughs & Associates, Zan Martin, started her own agency specializing in the aftermarket and asked that I join her small talented firm. There I served as the agency’s primary copywriter and PR Manager. Martin & Company won 26 Automotive Aftermarket ad/collateral awards during my tenure there. I also discovered that after years of serving in PR, I excelled too in this function. I still can look back and say I was an award winning copywriter, but today, I am proud of my achievements in PR just as much.
Whenever you are in an early stage of your career. Stay focused, but be flexible. Every position you take leads you to the next and if you do not lose sight, you will find that there are ancillary benefits that will help you succeed.
Nice Leslie!
Thanks Zan!