The document presents insights into careers in media and design, emphasizing the importance of specialization and networking for success in the digital industry. It outlines common career paths, provides strategies for career development, and encourages engagement through local meet-ups, internships, and professional online presence. The speaker, Alex Schmelkin, shares personal career experiences to highlight opportunities and challenges within the industry.

1. DEMYSTIFYING MEDIA
& DESIGN CAREERS
March 7, 2013
PRESENTED BY
Alex Schmelkin

2. ABOUT ME
First job
Hofstra UCCE (1995)
First website
Hofstra.edu (1996)
Yesterday
MCNY (1997)
Founded Davanita (1998)
Acquired by Avatar (2000)
Today
Ai (2002+)

4. • Founded 2002
WE PLAN • Manhattan
AND BUILD • 50 Employees
DIGITAL • Transactional Expertise
BUSINESSES • End-to-end Ecommerce
• IMA Top 10 Agency

5. Careers
in Digital

6. IN OR OUT?
SPECIALIZE.
NETWORK.

7. IN OR OUT?
SPECIALIZE.
NETWORK.

8. IN OR OUT?

9. IN OR OUT?
BRAND
vs.
AGENCY

10. BRAND vs. AGENCY
• Steady • Variety of projects
• Build a career and • Dynamic and creative
advance environments
• Great exposure to • Learn from great
commercial concepts people, quickly
• Ownership and control • Can get “stuck” on
• Can get “stuck” on accounts
projects • Agency hopping

11. IN OR OUT?
SPECIALIZE.
NETWORK.

12. THE INDUSTRY EXPECTS
YOU TO BE A SPECIALIST.

13. COMMON CAREER PATH
IN DIGITAL INDUSTRY.
SPECIALIZED
Years 2 – 5
YEARS IN CAREER

14. COMMON CAREER PATH
IN DIGITAL INDUSTRY.
MANAGEMENT
SPECIALIZED
BUSINESS
Years 2 – 5
YEARS IN CAREER

15. Example Ai Project Team
Management Project Manager Engagement Manager Chief Experience Officer
Strategy UX Design Technology
Digital Strategist UX Lead Design Lead Tech Lead
Business Analyst Info Architect Art Director Developer(s)
Data Analyst Content Strategist Visual Designer(s) Fender(s)
UX Researcher Copywriter QA Engineers(s)
Digital Strategist Sys Admin

16. IN OR OUT?
SPECIALIZE.
NETWORK.

17. NETWORK
Get yourself out there. It pays off.
Participate in local meet-ups.
Consider an internship.
Publish some thoughts.
Attend an industry conference.
Start early with LinkedIn.
Find a good recruiter.

18. INTERN (2005)

19. SENIOR PM (2013)

20. YOU
• Write thoughtful cover
letters
BUILD YOUR • Build a portfolio site
PERSONAL • Connect on LinkedIn
Demonstrate personality
BRAND •
during interviews
• Share 2-year goals

21. Thank you.
Alex Schmelkin
as@alexanderinteractive.com