Aspirants aren't getting the education they need for entry level ad agency jobs

Karen Howe, senior vice president, creative director of Due North Communications in Toronto has written an interesting, tub-thumping rant in Applied Arts about the state of education for people who want to work in advertising,and specifically agencies.

I’ve attended portfolio nights for many years. I also review student books constantly. I’m seeing epic erosion in the quality of education that advertising students are now receiving. Judging by the state of their books, most are not remotely prepared to walk into an entry-level agency position.

Students should be outraged. Tuition has skyrocketed, yet the quality of their education has plummeted.

It’s fixable. But colleges and students will have to roll up their sleeves. Ad schools: please start with the basics. Teach your students how an agency is structured and how it makes money – it will help your students figure out how they get paid and how to stay employed. Teach them about the individual roles of those in an agency, so they can understand their own.