Creative Director
Wieden+Kennedy, NYC
I grew up a Husker, so going to University of Nebraska–Lincoln was a given. I went with every intention of becoming an architect. However, after failing every conceivable math course available, I was mercifully redirected toward a career in advertising.
I remember being up one morning at 4 a.m., desperately scrambling to finish the final presentation that was due in a few hours for our senior Campaigns class. And I remember thinking, “Wait! Is this what the job is going to be in real life?” Basically, yes, that’s what it’s turned out to be.
Through the CoJMC, I got to try the account side of advertising, the media side, the creative and design side. I had a chance to put together presentations and give them. I was able to meet people who knew what they were doing and learn from them.
The college gives you wise, thoughtful faculty who can help you figure out how to do what you want to do. You have a faculty with industry experience. You have a network of alums willing to offer guidance. And you have coursework that’s relevant to what’s happening in the world.
At some point in your career, you’ll reach out to a Nebraska alum you’ve never met, and she or he will bend over backwards to help you, just because you have the school in common. Or you’ll find yourself working incredibly hard – but it feels comfortable.
The CoJMC put me in the right direction, helped me where I needed it and let me figure out what I needed to figure out on my own.