Lindsay Blanding - Ad Society President 2004-2005

Johnson & Johnson BabyCenter - San Francisco, California

Ad Society was truly the best part of my college experience. Besides bonding with other ad students and really taking advantage of awesome professors and agency contacts, I landed a great job where my experiences in Ad Society have proven equal in value to my classroom experiences. Take advantage of the time you have in college you won't truly know what the word "busy" means til you graduate...and you'll be glad you made the sacrifice to invest in yourself and your career while you had the time.

---

Ruby Chhatwal - President 2005-2006 rubyc@352media.com

Project Manager - 352 Media - Newberry, Florida

Ad Society will get you a job. You just have to dive in and take any opportunity you can. I know everyone has said it, but internships are key. I would also suggest getting involved in your local ad fed chapter, as you will meet professionals in the field that work in your area. The most important thing to remember: Enthusiasm and Passion are the true keys to success. Love what you do, or don't do it at all. For me, making the choice to stay in a place I liked living was more important than being in a new, not so comforting place with a new job. There are opportunities for you everywhere, so don't close yourself off to just New York or Chicago.Be happy in surroundings and life will be so refreshing. Another great piece of advice is to keep in touch with fellow Ad Society members, you never know when one of them will be hiring for positions one day. If you are involved in Ad Society, chances are they will remember you. If you don't take advantage of these opportunities, you won't know where to start when you get out of school. I'm supposed to keep this short so here is the last tip: Do it your way, but keep learning. Be open to who your are and don't compromise on that, but be able to work on a team. Lastly, just know how to stay on top of your tasks and complete each with passion and precision. The sky truly is the limit. I wish you all the luck in the world, but after Ad Society you won't need
luck.. you'll be ready.

---

Kate Goodwin

Assistant Print Planner - MindShare - New York City

Networking is everything, use all your connections to get your name out there. Feel free to email me, I'd love to help you in any way I can... The more Gators up in NYC the better!!

---

Brooke Baratz - bebaratz@aol.com (2000-2004)
Assistant Media Buyer -- GM Mediaworks -- New York City
I work in National Network Buying for my client, General Motors. Basically, I work with all of the TV networks and spend money and I love it! If you're interested in moving to NY and looking for a job, send me your resume, and I'll try to help you out. Media is soooo much fun and there are a lot of opportunities, so check it out

---

Jennifer Hart - jehart@fcb.com (2001-2005)
Asst. Media Planner -- FCB -- New York City
I would be lying if I said Ad Society didn't get me where I am today. I was a member of Ad Society for 4 years, from member, to director, to VP. I had the opportunity to plan the NYC trip and found myself loving everything about the city. Taking all of my contacts from that trip and my media expertise from campaigns class, I received an offer as an Assistant Media Planner at Foote Cone & Belding in NYC. Media is not as scary as most people make it out to be! If anyone has any questions or needs contacts for landing first job in the city, please feel free to e-mail me. FCB is always looking for Gator Alumni! (They are known for taking several gators)

---

Jasmine Flott - Jasmine12083@msn.com (2001-2005)
Account Coordinator -- Saatchi & Saatchi Healthcare
Past Ad Society Involvement: Adwerks Strategy Director 2004-2005
Advice for Current Members: Get experience and follow your gut! Nothing is impossible. -

---

Jaclyn Krongold - jkrongold@arn.com (2004-2005)
Arnold Worldwide -- New York City
This is the advertising agency I interned with the summer before I graduated. My best advice would be to take internships seriously, learn as much as you can, and if you want to be offered a job- make it known!

---

Jackie Ferrer - jackie@juggynet.com (2002-2005)
Young & Rubicam -- New York City
Really loved Ad Society and it helped to boost me to where I am today!!! Network, network, network. I kept in contact with all those I met on the Ad Society trips and that is how I am here today. Secondly, do not be afrid to take risks, you have nothing to loose!! Feel free to drop a line!! Good luck and follow your dreams!!

---

Jennifer Trapanese Long - jennifer.long@mccann.com (1999-2001)
McCann Erickson -- Atlanta
Taking agency trips with AdSociety was one of the most important things I did in college. It really helped to direct my career and identify my interests. I recommend it to everyone. I've worked at a few agencies in Atlanta since graduation (May '01), and now I'm a Senior Account Executive at McCann Erickson in Atlanta. I handle GM-Buick advertising for the SE region of the country. Feel free to email me if you're interested in Atlanta or McCann.

---

Shannon Clayton - shannonclayton@sjp.com (2003-2005)
St. John & Partners -- Jacksonville, FL
I'm working directly for the Account Group Director as an Account Coordinator on the Clearwire Wireless Broadband account. I think it is important to realize that there are so many entry level positions in an agency that helps you to meet the right people. I applied for a job opening while I was still in college at SJP and went in for an informational interview. Before they even posted my position to the public, they remembered meeting me and called me in for an interview. It's so valuable to make and keep your contacts!! That is why I am now working for the #1 Agency in Jacksonville and I absolutely LOVE my job and all the people I work with. Feel free to email me with any questions about SJP or the Jacksonville area.

---

Brook Patterson - brookmpatterson@aol.com (1997-2000)
Advertising Manager, The Robb Report -- CurtcoRobbMedia -- Boston, MA
Ad Society President 1999-2000. It looks like things are really going strong now for Ad Society which is awesome...great website too! We were the first group to plan trips and they were so helpful...Tampa, Orlando and Atlanta. My advice is to take advantage of EVERYTHING that is offered to you in Ad Society, classes at the college and network as much as you can. Get involved!! Talk to people! Get as much EXPERIENCE as you can BEFORE you leave college--you will have more to offer an employer and they will want to snatch you up. I had six internships in college. Ironically, none of them were in sales and I didn't even take the sales class offered. I have been in advertising sales for the last 5+ years since college. First with a company in Gainesville - Naylor Publications, next for a newspaper group- The Tampa Tribune, and now for The Robb Report- a luxury lifestyle magazine that is distributed nationwide in bookstores and to mega-millionaires! What a GREAT career so far...who knew you could enjoy a career and get paid really well to do it! It can happen! Please let me know if I can be of any help. All the best! Go Gators!

---

Nealie Hamilton Stufflet - nealie@alantaylor.com (2000)
Senior Account Executive -- Alan Taylor Communications -- Charlotte, NC
I graduated with a degree in Advertising and have been working in Public Relations for five years. Internships are key to finding what you want to do and getting your first job. I still keep in touch with three friends from Ad Society who are all in different locations and companies (all advertising) - they provide a good outsider viewpoint when I need it.

---