The Adventure Ahead

Last Friday, I graduated from the University of Houston.
On paper, I'm a Bachelor of Art. But off the record, I'm just a big ball of uncertainty.

Instead of taking the usual four (or six) years to finish college, I thought it would be a real swell idea to power through it in three. After smashing through a few intensive Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer semesters, here I am. A college graduate navigating the waters of the job market.

While waiting for bites, I've had a lot of time to look back on all that could have been and ahead to all that will be. It's rather daunting in both directions.

But the past is the past and can't be changed, so it's best to set sights on the horizon and prepare the ship for bigger things. The past 15 years in school have provided a lot of clear direction. Direction that I no longer get to comfortably lean on to guide me to the next big thing. So I decided to set myself some goals to keep myself from running horribly off course while venturing into the great unknown.

Goal #1: Get a job

It should be fairly obvious why this is at the tippy top. I've worked pretty damn hard to get to where I am. Now it's all about finding that first post-graduate job. I've fleshed out my linkedin page, hand cut my resumes, and I'm re-designing my business card. 

Advertising, marketing, writing... Wherever the skills that I've acquired take me. And it doesn't matter if I've got to do contract work or intern first.

Goal #2: Write. A lot.

I'm going to aim for one blog post and two articles per week sprinkled with tweets along the way.

This should keep me on my toes looking out for new content, current events, and the like. It also gives me a lot of practice with long and short form writing on multiple topics. Personal, newsworthy, and otherwise. Blogs will be posted here. Articles will be written through Helium. Not a shabby way to earn an extra buck.

Other online prompts I'll be using: Quora for quick research writing and Formspring for short form personal writing.

Goal #3 Read. A lot.

Every night before bed. To write well, you have to consume a lot of great writing. Reading more articles goes under this also. More exposure to different kinds of writing on different topics rounds out understanding points of view.

You know, like that robot from Short Circut. INPUT, INPUT, INPUT.

Goal #4 Write down EVERYTHING (that's worth writing)

You would think after forgetting a dozen brilliant ideas this wouldn't be so difficult. But I keep overestimating myself in my capacity to remember great ideas. Band names, slogans, insightful phrases; you name it and I've probably forgotten a good one.

All that should keep me plenty busy for a good while. In the mean time.. here's to adventure!

Busy, busy, busy

AAFUH has been seriously busy!

We've powered through two general meetings, a workshop, and two fundraisers!

Our first general meeting with Six Foot Studios and the following social were our largest attended events in the history of ever! A proud moment for AAFUH and a sign of how far we've come as an organization.

Six Foot Studios is an interactive agency that has worked with a variety of projects that span from film and video games to medical and industrial. They provide solutions through online experiences, mobile apps, and interactive kiosks. 

Six stations were set up in speed-date fashion to cover every part of their interactive agency: Project Management, Account Services, Copywriting, Creative Direction, Programming, and Information Architecture.

A huge thank you to Renee Holzman, Mark Tucker, Matt Walsh, Cynthia Stipeche, Darius Portilla, and Willams Garcia for enduring the after-hours with us to give us a 360 peek at the inside workings of an agency!

Western Lithograph, a part of Consolidated Graphics let us tour their printing facilities for our second general meeting. They can print anything from packaging, trading cards, brochures, books, and more. In their words, "You dream it, we can print it!"

AAF got to get real close and personal with all the mechanics that go into a print run. The Printers themselves, packaging folds, and a scarily powerful paper cutter list among our hands-on encounters.

We've hit the ground running with Spring 2012 and it doesn't stop here. AAFUH is going on it's first out-of-town trip at the end of the month. Look out Austin!

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General Meetings aren't the only thing AAFUH has to offer it's members. We've got a plethora of volunteer opportunities for those who like being extra-active.

Once a month we have 4 spots to volunteer during AAF Houston Luncheons. These events include free lunch while you hear from some big names in the Advertising Industry. The March luncheon features Steve Lance. Perhaps you remember "The More you Know" or have heard of Shark Week? He's the brain behind both!

Look out for the email because those four spots fill up quick.

We're also volunteering at the Houston Food Bank on Marth 10th from 1-4 and April 21st from 8-12. The Keegan Kitchen needs our help to work along with the chef to prepare and package foods for Meal on Wheels and Kidz Cafe.

The Star of Hope Mission will have our help on April 28th from 11-1:30 with us serving lunch to the residents of the Transitional Living Center.

There's a lot going on. Like AAFUH on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to keep up!

So it begins..

A few rush tables, two info nights, and an organization fair later AAFUH is ready for Spring 2012!

First, thanks to everyone who made it out to any of our rush events. We've met new members and made new friends over the past few weeks and we're excited to grow our advertising family.

Secondly, in addition to the officer board announced in December, we've added one more position. Candace Queen is your new Philanthropy Chair! 

If you couldn't make it out to an info night, fear not! Here's the prezi for your viewing pleasure.

Anyone that's taken a marketing, advertising, or business class probably knows about the Four P's and the Four C's. We'll, there's just 3 C's to AAF. Companionship, Connections, and CASH.

AAF is a great organization to meet talented people that you might just work with in the future. It's a great group to get to know. A lot of people that have been in AAF a while can tell you that they've met some of their best friends through AAF. The companionship you experience in AAF is invaluable.

During our general meetings and AAF luncheon volunteering you'll be making some advantageous connections to build your professional network. We don't just invite people to speak to us. We meet them inside of their respective agencies. You'll have a chance to shake hands, introduce yourself, and trade business cards with people that are ready and willing to help out students passionate about this industry. You'll have the opportunity to land and internship and maybe even a job with the people you meet. Meetings aren't the only place for you to meet professionals. There's also AAF Houston mixers, and luncheons you can attend.

As a national organization, by joining you'll gain connections around the states! Wherever you may go there's probably an AAF chapter within your reach. We're also directly affiliated with AD2, the Houston adverting young professionals organization, which is the next step after college.

Lastly, AAFUH is all about the monies (read: cash). Becoming a member opens up dozens of scholarships for you to win. None of that 'wait-weeks-for-a-refund' feeling. Just think of all the textbooks you wont have to pay for. Houstonadscholarships.com offers eleven scholarships for one application. Last year UH won 5 out of 11.

I'm gonna take a little break from typing while you watch this here video.

 

Back already? Alrighty, then.

Our semester dues are $55. It's an investment in yourself. It opens doors to an AAFUH membership, and AD2 Houston membership, and AAF Houston membership and a membership to National AAF. Pretty efficient if you ask me.

Need more convincing? Let's put it simply.

Bi-weekly general meetings AT local agencies.
Workshops to prep you for advertising life after the classes are over.
Mixers where you can have a drink with the pros.
Luncheons that you can get into for FREE. None of that $50 entry stuff.
Scholarships so you can save your hard earned monies to spend things other than school.
Internships that get you hands on experience that can land you a JOB.

And you know what? I'll sweeten this here deal and give you a sneak peek into what's in store.

Six Foot Studios

Western Lithograph

Black Sheep Agency

Lopez Negrete Communications

By golly, if you're not excited I'm excited enough for you an I both.

And if you are excited, then join us and become AAFUH.
Head to the About page and find one of the officers to get more information on how to join.

A Bigger Arsenal

A round of applause to a wonderfully productive fall semester with AAFUH.
And cheers new beginings and roads that lead to sparkling opportunities!

Meet the Spring 2012 officer board:

President - Scott Gilbert
Senior Vice President - Amy Phan
Senior Vice President Account Director - Jeanette Dickie
Secretary - Adriana Farias
Treasurer - Joe MicKinney
Vice President of Public Affairs - Ari Diozon
Recruitment Chair - Rose Marie Hinojosa
Education Chair - Mike Le
Event Coordinator - Marilyn Parilla
Fundraising Chair- Lainee Hooks

The Spring 2012 officer board is working over the winter break to plan out some very exciting things for the next semester. As an ever growing organization we're planning for bigger events to reach more people. This page is designated to document and share news, happenings and helpful advice from the University of Houston chapter of the American Advertising Federation. In short, this blog is another way for AAFUH to speak to the public. We're adding more elements of social media for our members and the public to take a peek into our organization. You can consider this blog a big gun in our artillery.

Periodically, we'll be posting pictures and recaps of events and meetings. In addition, we'll also be providing some advice, perhaps even some words from professionals in the advertising industry. If you're a an aspiring copywriter or just have something you want to say, you'll have numerous chances to get your work published on the blog!

We sincerely hope you're enjoying your winter break. Get ready for a great semester and stay inspired!