Finding Growth in Every New Horizon

By: Elizabeth Driscoll, Account Service Intern

For four months, I sailed on a ship around the world. Just one week after returning to U.S. soil, I walked into &Barr’s office for the first time.

I spent my spring semester participating in Semester at Sea, a college study abroad program, where students travel, reside and take classes on a ship. Throughout the semester, I stopped at nine countries, embarking in Thailand and disembarking in Germany.

Living at sea taught me a lot. From slicing through a tropical cyclone to standing just five feet from a lion, every wild experience came with a lesson. As an intern at &Barr, I quickly realized that many of those lessons are echoed in the fast-paced, energetic world of advertising.

Be ready to adjust. Fast.

While sailing to South Africa, the ship plowed straight through a tropical cyclone. The constant rocking meant adjusting to a new normal: gripping onto handrails to keep from falling down stairs, choosing the center of the classroom to avoid seasickness, and staying inside for days as the storm raged on. It was a crash course in adapting quickly when things feel out of control.

Agency life can feel the same way. Client needs shift and timelines change. Sometimes you have to steady yourself and keep moving.

Advertising rewards those who can manage the fast pace of the industry with adaptability and a problem-solving mentality—Those who can make the difference between a missed opportunity and breakthrough work.

Always ask questions.

“How do you like living in Malaysia?” A simple question, one I asked an Uber driver through our language barrier. But it sparked a conversation. I learned about his views on family life, traditions, and the local economy. Had I not asked the question, I would have never learned about the intricacies of the recent Malaysian election or a local’s experience with the tourism industry.

As an intern, I’m constantly asking questions. I’ve found that the same curiosity I had in Malaysia is encouraged at &Barr. Asking simple, but thoughtful, questions help me better understand client goals and learn from the people around me. I’ve also realized that asking questions isn’t just for interns. I see the people around me constantly asking how to better meet a client’s goals or find the most creative solution.

Make it count.

While on a safari in Kenya, I found myself close enough to a lion to hear it breathe. It was a once-in-a-lifetime moment that reminded me to be fully present and make every second count. At &Barr, I’ve learned to bring that same mindset to agency life. As a rising senior, this internship has been a valuable chance to gain real-world experience before officially entering the professional world. I took every opportunity to learn from the talented people around me, seeking out their advice and observing the creative and hard-working team I was fortunate to be a part of.

I worried that transitioning from days spent at places like the Taj Mahal to days in an office in my hometown of Orlando would feel monotonous. But I’ve realized that if you approach everything as an opportunity to learn, the setting doesn’t matter. And while my experiences at &Barr were very different, I’ve learned just as much during my time here.