Fans/readers/stumblers-upon of my blog may remember that last year I made a post about applying for a little something called the Multicultural Advertising Internship Program, commonly known as MAIP.
Let's read an excerpt from that fated post:
"I'd started off looking up at the MAIP as if it were some type of Greco-Roman temple where the Quaker Oats guy and the Geico Gecko held the keys to the World of Advertising. If I got in, Leo Burnett and David Ogilvy would each hand me a scotch on the rocks and my wardrobe would instantaneously become a combination of dirty hipster shirts and uptown cocktail dresses. And if I didn't get in (God forbid) I'd be ruined and forced to live in a ditch somewhere, gurgling in the oil-slicked water and shooting up expired hot sauce packets with a bunch of failed English and sociology majors."
Ah. Memories.
Well, it turns out that year I didn't make it. Did I cry? No. Did I eat my feelings? With gusto... and ranch. But other things happened as well.
1. I was humbled.
MAIP is not for losers or wannabes. No, really. MAIP is for people who want to succeed in advertising and will work hard to get that success. If you think you're going to slink in just because people in your layout class think you're cool or because you did the best campaign (in your opinion) in your B2B class, get over it. To mangle a quote by Tyler Durden of Fight Club, to potential employers you are not some special, unique little snowflake-- you are one of thousands of crappy ad students that might never get into the business. It's okay! Embrace it, then change it.
2. I was galvanized.
Effort needs to be shown, paraded, trumpeted as your hallmark, otherwise you're just another student who wants a lucky break. What did I do in the meantime? I helped build satellites, I got a ham radio license, I stepped up and became PR Chair for my ad club. While I geared up to enter this year, I joined the staff of my school's literary magazine and become Promo/Distro manager. When new accounts rolled into my school's advertising and PR agency, I got on them. Anything to do with mass communications and advertising, I wanted it. And according to my resume, it shows.
3. I reached out.
So, I didn't get picked. But my art partner, Brian Cheung, did. Freakin' sweet! While I prepared for my next big performance, I got to benefit from every little morsel of advice and experience he could share with me. Likewise, I dubbed the insanely great Jonathan Carmona, a MAIP alumni from my university who is now someone with a cool title over at Butler, Shine, Stern and Partners, as my sensei. They both helped provide encouragement and let me know what I was in for. And I shared the love-- I invited them both to speak at an ad club meeting and talk about their time in MAIP and how to get the edge in internships. When other students were applying, I gave support, answered questions about the process from my point of view. Hey, I'm writing this blog, ain't I?
In the end, failing paid off. This year I'm a semi-finalist. OH MAH GAWD. I've been waiting to post this entry until I did my interview. How did it go? I think it went well, despite the weather and traffic desperately trying to sabotage my credibility. I had a great conversation with my interviewer (with a cameo from my sensei!) and I could tell that she was interested in what students have to offer. I did my best to showcase the three things I listed above and I hope it gave a lasting impression.
And that's what counts right, doing your best? If I don't get in this year, it's just the same process all over again. It might be my last chance for MAIP, but there are still tons of internships out there, ripe for the picking. And I'll be there, ready to pick.
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