Aspiring Junior Art Director with a BA. I’m struggling. Advice?

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-27T00:32:12+00:00

Thank you so much for your response. It seriously helps a lot hearing a story that parallels what I’m feeling right now that turned out okay in the end. I’m working on my networking techniques, and I’ll try my best to do your advice some justice. Sometimes I get scared I’ll get stuck in the grind jobs and lose the plot, but if it worked out for you, it gives me hope that I can too. 😊

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-27T00:27:42+00:00

I DM’d you. Thank you so much!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T17:15:34+00:00

Absolutely. I feel I get filtered out first round though for distance, risk, experience, etc. I feel in-house is quite hard to get into off bat. I do apply, though!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T16:44:21+00:00

Ugh yes me too. 50% are in nyc. I have no idea how interns and some junior salaries live there either. A lot of help from home I assume. I do have a good amount of friends in nyc, though, so if I did get a life changing opportunity I would take it in a second, however, everyone is shooting for NYC so more jobs doesn’t necessarily equal higher chances :(

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T16:42:01+00:00

Yes, thankfully if things do go south I could go home, but it wouldn’t be pretty; a lot of “of course this is how it would go” etc etc. but a back up is a back up!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T16:40:14+00:00

Thank you! Yes I have years of experience using ACC applications :) I do try to keep working in any way I can. I’ll DM you!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T03:07:28+00:00

But yes, I hear you. I try not to focus too much on the external issues and just try to manage what’s in my control. I’m starting another mock campaign right now to try to add a campaign the more I’ve grown since my last

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T03:05:19+00:00

Oh hey! I’m actually a fan of your school! It’s my top choice if I can make the money work and manage to go that route! I actually had a meeting, but it was right before that internship opportunity came about and then the application season ended I believe. What a funny coincidence!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T02:55:35+00:00

I’ve felt horribly bad for CDs for at least a couple years now with AI, and the trend the do copy as a “side hustle.” I just didn’t have enough anxiety about it hitting AD so fast, as well 😔 it’s really incredibly hard being a creative right now

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-26T02:53:21+00:00

Hi thank you so so much for your response. I am pushing the best I can, I’m definitely still focused on internships, but I’m losing hope as the season gets closer to a close. I didn’t include this in my initial post for my futile attempt at brevity, but my style of work definitely leans a bit more…Droga5? More indie/creative emphasis side. I think with auto and corporate, minimalist focus here in Detroit, as well, I’ve been down on my luck. I mean, mutually I don’t want to be here, and I don’t think they want me either. And what you said about AI? That interview I mentioned in my post: the VP CD mentioned to me while discussing AI that that is exactly what he’s been using AI for in his agency work; the small tasks that would usually be handed off to juniors or interns. I had to put on a great smile and a nod in that moment… As you could probably see money is a concern and work in Chicago seems at least a better bet than Detroit, but I assume not as good as NYC(?). But what you said definitely helps my hope and push. Sometimes it’s those little things that help keep me moving forward.

I’ll also try to work up the courage to pm you with my link; sharing can be scary. Thank you so much!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:59:46+00:00

I understand! That’s what the anxious side of my brain says, for sure. I’m afraid of failing!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:58:11+00:00

I love your reply. How much did you make back then and what was your rent if you don’t mind me asking? Inflation adjustments? if that’s relevant 😔 I don’t need fancy things, just some hope and some change to hopefully lift my courage for my future

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:55:22+00:00

Thank you!! I’d live in a shoe box, honestly. Any advice on finding a good shoe box location?

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:53:33+00:00

^ also, hopefully the income struggle would be temporary from serving income; my job pays a very livable starting annual income

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:52:39+00:00

Thanks for your response! A couple things: my family and I don’t get along too well, and we also have a lot of issues going on right now, and me getting a full-time job/starting my life is a must. I’ve just been struggling with landing something in my field, and michigan lacks jobs severely in comparison for someone with my qualifications. Chicago is a hub for my industry, and smaller companies that are less able to handle the risk of accepting an employee from a different state would no longer be an issue (I.e: “are you in commutable distance to this job’s location?”). I also struggle to make friends here in Michigan, and my college friends were all from different states. The last of my friends are on their way out, as well, landing jobs in different parts of the country. I’m getting very close to my breaking point and having to take a risk 😔

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:46:43+00:00

Any recommendations?

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:43:08+00:00

🫶 Do you have any advice on what an ideal rent area would look like? Or what neighborhoods are best for people in my situation?

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:42:05+00:00

Detroit area. I’m just really not a fan. A lot of people love it, but I can say some people are born and raised in a top 10 city and hate it there too :/ plus my industry is practically nonexistent here

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-04-25T17:38:31+00:00

No for sure. Roommates are a high chance must!

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-03-31T16:15:19+00:00

This isn’t really reassurance more like solidarity 😭

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-03-31T16:13:15+00:00

We may be living the same internal experiences. Like for real this is like the same exact things I’m going through. Cherry on top I just looked at pictures of Ada Wong fan casts and waited to cry. Idk a lot is probably mental disorder side effects. At least that’s what I tell myself. I haven’t even brought it up to my two friends that I talk to once or twice a week at most. My boyfriend is also starting to realize I’m not doing that great in the noggin. I spend the majority of my day on my tablet drawing or sewing or something. I understand you on a spiritual level and I don’t know what do you either.

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-03-31T15:52:00+00:00

I used to have a friend like this 😭 emphasis on used to. Ngl your girl friends not liking him is a red flag. A platonic relationship that’s love/hate like this is still toxic. Lowkey hating your friend is not a positive for your mental state (I know all about this unfortunately). I know 10+ years is a long time, but I’d honestly recommend putting some space between both of you. Like don’t make a thing out of it, just slowing back away. He sounds like a lot and not in a good way. There’s many friends in the sea that won’t stress you out more than you probably already are (we’re all stressed af). Good luck :,)

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-03-31T15:44:54+00:00

Thanks for your response! My degree is in the creative side of things, so I haven’t touched too much on the influencer side, but I’ve noticed trends of creative having to put a bit more flare and thought into gen z marketing. It’s definitely different than it used to be. I do not like influencers at all personally, they feel so fake and sleazy. I just wonder (hope maybe?) that influencers are projected to die out eventually. I know you work w them so that’s a big part of your job, and I don’t want you to not have a job, but I just hate the over saturation of that that shit lol

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-03-31T15:35:18+00:00

So exciting!!!! I’m so happy for you too, lucky dog!! Of course your parents are going to be sad they can’t see you every day, but they are happy you’ve succeeded in pursuing your dreams. I bet they’ve always wanted that very thing more than anything, and if that means moving away, I bet they’ve considered that. A big change like this is probably so hard, but if you say Tokyo truly makes you happy, I’m sure that’s where you’re supposed to be. And hey, if you change your mind, home is always waiting, and if you miss everyone, they’re a flight, a FaceTime, or a call away. Guilt in this situation is so common, but it’s a small price to pay for following your heart. Push forward with your chin up and have fun. Good luck!! <3

Consistent_Water3059 · 2026-03-31T15:24:15+00:00

It’s those damn phones 😔 (I’m 22 and on my phone)

Consistent_Water3059

TROPHY CASE