Question

Topic: Career/Training

Getting That 1st Junior Branding Position

Posted by Anonymous on 8/24/2004 at 5:20 PM ET 250 Points
Just wondering how alot of people get their first breaks in the industry. Ie. What type of postions generally people start with. Trying to understand where I should focus my attention to attaining my first positon. I have graduated from a 4 year University Social Science Degree and have a college degree in Brand Management. Also in the midst of completing an internship. If anyone has any input it would be appreciated.

Thanks
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 8/24/2004 at 7:52 PM Accepted
    Your internship could be useful. Particularly if it is for a company and doing a position related to what you want to do. It is not that uncommon for internships to turn into full time jobs. And even if not, helps give ou experience.

    Take advantage of any on campus recruiting that you can. One of the challenges you will have is that many company\ies look for people with experience. I never did understand where they find people with experience if no one is willing to take on an inexperienced person...
    But, back to oncampus - these companies are willing to take on smart recent graduates and train them.
  • Posted by SteveByrneMarketing on 8/24/2004 at 9:08 PM Accepted
    sondekrecords,

    Is your internship with an ad agency or ? Peter’s right on with internships becoming career launchers. Basically any communications related job – agency, inhouse agency or publication can serve as a launch pad. Also, if you’re outgoing and like to talk with people consider a sales position -- maybe a media rep or selling communications services. A sales experience is a great compliment to a branding and marketing education for long term career development.

    Best of luck,

    - Steve
  • Posted by Peter (henna gaijin) on 8/25/2004 at 12:02 AM Member
    If neither an internship nor working through your campus recruiting gets results, another option is to go after smaller companies.

    Seems just about every business student wants to get into branding for one of the largest consumer products ocompanies, but many don't think of the small consumer goods companies (ranging from startups to those with a few million in sales).

    You likely won't find a position with the name of Brand Manager at a company this size, but look for a position which includes the marketing and brand duties. Small companies have the advantage of allowing you more responsibility and authority than you would get with a large company.
  • Posted on 9/5/2004 at 7:30 PM Accepted
    Have you asked the two companies to explain to you why joining them would be a good move to prepare you for a career in Brand Management? Their responses could be very telling.

    If they are honest with you, they can probably provide better information than all of us combined. If they are not honest (and try to blow smoke at you), then you probably don't want to work for them anyway.

    At the risk of being too commercial, I'd still recommend that you get a copy of "The Potato Chip Difference : How to apply leading edge marketing strategies to landing the job you want." You'll find several ideas in there to help you make the decision. (Website is: www.potatochipdifference.com)

    Good luck.
  • Posted by Mushfique Manzoor on 9/6/2004 at 8:26 AM Accepted
    Hi Matt

    i would suggest you to go for SONY. make sure to be clear with your career objective with them during the interview as suggested by expert here. Also get a clear picture of the job/role u will have during the internship. whatever the job is, give your 100% for that. You might land a permanent job at SONY. Lots of things to learn form SONY, trade marketing, branding, brand management, merchandising, distribution, franchise management etc.

    if you dont get a permanent job, never mind, you still have a label of SONY on your back(by doing the internship), so you can still search and land another job. I have never worked in Music industry, but i am sure you will learn a lot of things, which you can apply later on. Remember you can always apply somthing of one industry that you have learnt into another industry with a little modification and wit ;)

    If you dont like at all any of the work at SONY, you can always join an agency(like paul said). They will love to take you because of your exposure to & experience of SONY.

    hope this helps.

    Good Luck!!
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