Working for Free

Graduating from school a year and a half ago and still not having a solid career is becoming very frustrating. Everyday I search through the job boards, connect with people and hope that soon I will have that job I've been looking for. With the economy we are facing and me being a recent college grad with little experience, it is very difficult and frustrating.

I came over an opportunity the other day that at first I was a little hesitant to accept. But after contemplating the pros and cons I have decided to pursue it. As an action sports enthusiast (surfing, snowboarding, skateboarding), I have always wanted to work within that industry. Whether it be advertising or marketing, I have a pretty solid grasp on the sports and the direction they are heading.

My sister who has worked in the industry for almost 6 years now, told me about a friend of hers who started-up a website dedicated solely to action sports news/products/athletes/etc... I reached out to him in hopes that I could pick his brain and get an idea of what he is trying to create. After getting the background on the company and his experience in the industry, he offered me an opportunity to do some freelance work and help out with marketing and advertising efforts.

There were a couple key factors that made me decide to take his offer. One being that it is the industry I have always wanted to work in. Also, being able to utilize my education, what I have learned here at Bailey Gardiner, and my work experience/background in the action sports culture. It is a great opportunity for me to get some real hands-on experience, take ownership, and the potential to be apart of something big. The only kicker is that I will be working for free, no salary or hourly pay. I will however be getting some free gear and receiving shares of the company.

I figure I have been poor since I went to college (2004), graduated poor (2008), still currently am poor and foresee myself being poor for quite sometime. Right now it's not about the money so much, although it would be nice, but being apart of something with a lot of potential and getting some great hands-on experience is worth it to me.

The website launched a couple months ago, Action Sports Today. I am very excited to take part and to be able to continue learning and getting some great experience. If it works out or not, I know this will prove to be very beneficial for me down the road.

Experience is a productof everything you do

A young designer will face fierce competition while attempting to break into the industry. This is doubly so in San Diego, where only a limited number of advertising agencies and design studios exist. A sluggish economy further limits the opportunities available to a fledgling designer. Having freelanced for design studios and ad agencies since my 2008 graduation, I've experienced first-hand how exhausting it can be to find your niche in a highly competitive industry.

When I was offered an internship position at Bailey Gardiner in November of last year, I couldn't wait to start. Though I've worked in fairly broad range of studio environments, the experience I've gained over the past two and a half months at BG has been invaluable. In addition to collaborating with a diverse group of creative professionals, I have also been given the opportunity to produce work for a variety of clients. My mentors at BG provide effective art direction which allows me to use my design ability both efficiently and effectively. I'm also given enough room to spread my wings and maximize my creativity — a rare luxury for an intern.

The quality of art direction, the level of client interaction and the efficiency of the organization as a whole has been inspiring and the number of portfolio-level pieces I've produced is exciting. My experience at Bailey Gardiner has been fantastic and has steeled my resolve to excel in my chosen field, regardless of the obstacles I may face along the way.

My Most Exciting Moment While Interning at BG

Everyday is an exciting day here at Bailey Gardiner, however today has become the most exciting day of my Intern career. It started out as a fairly normal day, I came to work and continued my regular routine. Coffee, emails, receiving of my daily schedule, voice mails (rarely have any), continuation of my daily projects, coffee, whatever they throw at me, etc... Today, oh Google AdWords, how very exciting! It seemed to be a normal day until my immediate boss, Becca, included me in a special top secret project: Operation Bike Retrieval.

I have had some experience in the past dealing with hostile environments, none of which however would've prepared me for today's mission. Becca had a beautiful pink Electra cruiser bike that she loved so dearly until it was stolen from her two days ago. She was devastated, couldn't eat anything, couldn't sleep, couldn't continue on living. Until she found her bike for sale on Craigslist and hope was then restored. Becca continued to set up a time with the seller to check out the bike and confirm it was in fact hers. Around 13:00 PST Thursday, January 14th, 2010, we met the enemy face to face. Nerves were running high as we entered the thieves hideout. Becca took the bike for a test ride and confirmed the bike was in fact hers. Questions ensued about how the man obtained the bicycle. He fabricated some unbelievable story, then Becca unveiled the truth, that the bike was hers and the man was busted.

He was defensive, about ready to fight and attack Becca until I stepped in and intervened. Becca took off with the bike, I wrestled the man down with a sleeper-hold maneuver I learned in Boy Scouts. I submitted him into the ground, he was out cold. We escaped the situation with the bike and our lives. I'll never forget that moment, most exciting moment while interning here at Bailey Gardiner, Intern turned Super Hero...

Then I snapped out of my day dream and we rolled up to the house. Becca knocked on the door and the man showed her the bike for sale. She said it was originally hers and that it was stolen. He said go ahead and take your bike, and that was that. Case closed, Operation Bike Retrieval was a success. No ninja moves were needed, just a simple, "Hey, that's my bike and it was stolen" and a "Okay, go ahead and take it back". I look forward to the next top secret Bailey Gardiner Intern mission.