Overrated Career: Advertising Executive

Reader Comments
Back to article

@One's Two Cents
like

nemo of NV 9:16PM January 03, 2011

I have spent 3 years working in a less than satisfying job at Home Depot and thinking about what I would do if I had the opportunity to go to school. I came out with the plan to be an advertising executive. It is the only thing I become exited about thinking of as a career. Sounds a bit dumb, but I visualize Mel Gibson's character Nick Marshall from "What Women Want" as motivation. Not the part about hearing crazy women"s thoughts, but having a lavished lifestyle and a constant feeling of content for using my ideas and creativity to convince people that something is worth spending their hard earned money on. You get to be an artist. I agree with the first guy's little tiff, people shouldnt knock something that they cant do well. It's something you have to be good at to get anything out of. That appeals to me because I've competed my whole life. I don't lose either.

Devin O'Neil of NJ 3:36AM September 22, 2010

Whoever wrote this sucked at it, that's why he/she quit! I love advertising because it gives me everything, more than what you'll ever earn in a lifetime as a mere teacher... duh! Keep teching my friend, don't forget to tell your the kids (pupils) you are a quitter and a failure.
How about rehab?

Zeal Murapa 9:02AM September 03, 2010

I was reading through this comments and I realized that advertising like many other careers require passion. And the people who may have been complain, probably didn't know what they were going into or just not cut out for it. Advertising can be harsh, it is competitive. And if you can't take the heat? Stay out of the kitchen. Easy as that. But for people who are determined, I believe they will receive great success. And I personally do not believe this should be an over-rated profession. Neither should attorneys be as well. They have to protect your rights. Sorry but whoever made this list...you might want to re-check your thought process.

One's Two Cents 2:45AM March 25, 2010

Don't let this article or what these people are saying discourage you from pursuing the degree. The best part about where you're at is that you have plenty of time to decide. Take some classes - try and internship. If you enjoy it - do it! I happen to love my job as an Advertising Executive. I work hard and I'm rewarded. If you work for an agency that knows how to manage its business and clients - you can be successful and not worry about being laid off all the time. Big loses and the economy can certainly affect things - no matter how well an agency is run, but that happens in many jobs - Not just advertising.
If you put you heart, blood, soul, sweat and tears into this - you won't come up with nothing. Don't listen to the jaded. Listen to your heart and give it a try!

EncourageOurYouth of TX 3:00PM December 05, 2009

I am currently a Senior in high school and I declared Advertising as my 1st major. I thought Advertising would be a fun, fast-paced, and rewarding career, however this article prove me wrong. Now I am very scared. I definitely want to major in some sort of Communication. Any advice?
Btw, thank you for all above^^^, for the insight and the advice. This opened my eyes.

Tiffany Tran of CA 2:06AM November 29, 2009

I'm on my third lay-off from agency life and I've just about had it.
I have over 15 years of experience but planning on going back to school something in the health sciences. The politics, money and pressure from demanding clients is a drag. Nothing glamorous about it my friends.
I'm also getting older and see this as young person's field who is willing to work long hours and pay thier dues. I'm done!

Sean of MA 5:29PM October 26, 2009

Bad ecomomy? Write your own pink slip. Lose a client? Write your own pink slip. Whiney, hard-to-please clients. Constant carping and back-stabbing between agency departments. Egotistical managers and higher-ups who get paid handsomely while paying their employees (who do the real work) next to nothing. I wasted 12 years in this profession and kept on trying to salvage that career for longer. I wish I had tried to become a teacher or firefighter after college (when I was in better physical shape)...then I wouldn't regret my career and would have some happiness and job stability instead of grinding away, trying to find another job in this JOKE of a (advertising) profession....
By the way, 30 year ad man up there is wrong. You can put your heart, blood, soul, sweat and tears into this profession and still come up with nothing.

fedupwithadvertising of NC 4:34PM October 02, 2009

I've been in advertising 30 years, and I still enjoy it. Downsides, sure. Frustrations, you bet.
But I get to make stuff up, sometimes a client buys the cool idea, and I've spent my life surrounded by writers, designers, film directors, composers, photographers, web developers, actors - a pretty interesting bunch.
And some of the PSAs I've done have been credited with saving lives, so it's not all shallow and mercenary.
Seems to me that most of the people who don't get much out of a career in advertising are the ones who don't put much into it.

Rob Simpson of TN 5:13PM September 01, 2009

There are perks and pitfalls of being an AE. The environment is great, the after hours events are usually a blast, the business trips top notch... But, the main part of the job consists of long days that are spent sucking up to clients, begging the creatives to meet deadlines, and brown nosing the boss. I worked in advertising for 5 years and feel like I wasted those years of my life. Granted, I did have fun, but I feel I spent many hours accomplishing...well, nothing really. I switched careers to make a difference in the world and so happy that I did! Trust me, teaching does not belong on the "overrated careers" list. It is the most rewarding job a person could ever have.

Joy of NY 1:16AM February 08, 2009