When I first started at Dashboard, I would personally respond to each request, meeting with individuals either in person or by phone. This was a priority for me.  Though it had been many (many) years since I was in University I still remembered how difficult career decisions were, and now that I was able to, I wanted to help when I could.  However, over the past 24 months as my work load increased, requests increased and Dashboard grew, my attention to this aspect of my job has decreased. In fact, I must admit to becoming increasingly at best disinterested in, or at worst, irritated by, the seemingly never ending requests.  “Don’t these people know how busy I am?”

A short film produced by two very talented young film makers/university students is making me rethink this position on the importance of supporting students.

In early October I had the opportunity to screen the first short film by university students Matthew Purcell (Texas A&M) of Fort Worth Texas and Mary Schilleci (Academy of Art University) of New Orleans Louisiana,   Mother Earth: All’s Fair In Love For Oil.

I was blown away. Truly impressed by what these students had achieved.

Full disclosure, Matthew is my cousin. But while I will admit to a slight bias, I think you will agree after you have viewed the film, the work these two undergrads produced is impressive.

But why I am I discussing this on the Dashboard blog?

Matthew was a Dashboard Intern. Though it was for short periods of time, over the course of three summers during the High School and University years , Dashboard was able to provide a view into a the creative world of Advertising and expose him to possible careers opportunities.  This winter Matthew will be attending the San Francisco Academy of Art University to begin a Masters in Advertising.  I don’t know what career Matthew will ultimately choose, but I know that there is a good chance that the advertising world is going to be hearing from him in a few years, and the smart agencies will be listening.

While Dashboard can’t take credit for this possible path, I think we contributed to the possibility and sparked his interest in the field.  Bright, creative talent is always a good thing. We all need to do what we can to help foster it.

Obviously digital advertising isn’t for everyone, and Dashboard won’t have the capacity to meet with everyone or offer internships to all who request one, but I do promise to be a little more receptive to the requests when they come in and to be as supportive as possible.  Who knows what our next intern might achieve?