What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of media? Is it the mags and the newspapers? The tele? Or is it social media?

If you answered yes to one of them, brilliant! But wait, we think you were missing something: Advertising.

Speaking of, if you pictured yourself creating the next iconic ad, you’re in luck. We asked Kirsty Muddle, founding partner and chief innovation officer for Cummins&Partners, to tell us more about what you can expect from an advertising career.

#1 You Get To Spice Up Your (Work) Life

One of the biggest benefits of working in advertising, Kirsty reckons, is that your work never gets stale.

“Your mind is always stimulated by new problems from different brands,” says Kirsty. “When you are working on solving that problem, you are learning something new about the world and your output is largely doing something new for the world.” Think of how many “realising things” moments you’re going to experience.

#2 You’ve Got (People) Skills, They’re Multiplying

If you’re a people person, you’re in luck. “Be good with people. Good communication is very important. Working in a team and with many stakeholders, clients, other agencies is [also] very important.”

Also, if you can solve problems a la Kris Jenner’s “This is a case for the FBI”, terrif! Kirsty says “you need to be the kind of person that wants to solve problems [and is] curious about how people behave”.

And finally, if you’re culturally aware, that, too, is an important skill. “Knowing what is going on in the world [and] society, not just that something is trendy but why that may have happened [is crucial].” 

#3 There Are Many Areas Of The Ad Industry You May Not Know About

When you think of advertising, what do you think of? Creativity? Design? That’s just one of many departments in the industry. ONE!

Proof? You’ve got your leaders who run the biz. You’ve got the strategy team who know the 411 on the consumer, the market and branding. And you’ve got the production gang who keep tabs on the project from beginning to end, just to make sure the brief looks like a straight fire emoji, is done on time, and on budget. Eye-opening, I know.

What’s more, you don’t necessarily need a media degree to get in the industry. What you do need is one of the following: a keen interest in understanding people’s behaviours; to know a thing or two about business, finance, or microeconomics; or to possess A+ skills in the art and design department.

#4 You’re Just A Keyboard Away From Starting Your Ad Career

The fact you need to study media to get into Ad land is a capital-M myth (see point #3). Another fact that needs debunking is the “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know” adage.

Knowing someone who works in the industry would be beneficial, yes, but if that’s also stopping you from pursuing a career in advertising, then good news: The solution lies right at your fingertips. “I strongly suggest if you want to get into any agency, read B&T and other industry-related media so you get a feel for who the agencies are and what they do. Go to Ad school to help learn technique. [And] apply directly to agencies for internships and grad programmes. Make your CV stand out.”

#5 You Get To Make A Positive Change

Ever saw an ad that made you go, “Wig”? (Enter Katy Perry asking, “Wig? Did you just say, ‘Wig’?”)

That’s one way Kirsty says advertising can be used to make a positive change. “In my career, I have worked with people and on campaigns that have saved people’s lives, created ways for people to be more sustainable with energy, changed laws for better of humanity, made people laugh, made people love, brought families together ― there are so many positives in this industry.”

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Project Represent aims to attract people from diverse cultures and races to a career in advertising. Join a 1-day workshop at a top Aussie ad agency on Saturday 19 May 2018 in select cities and discover why advertising matters. Click here to find out more.

(Lead image: Mad Men/HBO)