Alice Franklin, Strategy Intern at BBH London, shares her story of starting her career as neurodiverse talent. Hear about how her Tourette's and Asperger’s caused years of struggle in her job search before she interviewed (after applying a second time!) at BBH, the challenges that arise in the office, how being autistic makes her a killer strategist, and how the agency world can make interviews and office spaces more inclusive to those who process information differently. 

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Nneka Carrie Ude, Director of Strategic Planning at Geometry Global, joins us to talk about non-linear career paths, being a trend investigator, and founding a media startup. Hear about keeping herself adaptive at the beginning of her career, how she identifies trends that matter and the sources she uses to broaden her worldview, what shopper marketing entails, and her media startup and digital community, Welcome to THE PATH, which focuses on the intersection of people, business and culture, particularly within the African diaspora. 

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Alicia Buford, Associate Design Director at Instrument, speaks her truth about her winding career path (with stops of frog and SapientNitro), and her struggles with Portland. Hear about why she might not get a master's degree if she could go back and do it again, being active and mindful about the type of education you're receiving, being bullied by an ECD early in her career, and the reality of being talent of color in a city that isn't known for being diverse. 

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Jessica McGlory, Director of Paid Social Media Marketing at Bombas, is an award-winning paid social evangelist and data enthusiast who gives fantastic advice. Hear about what she did that contributed to her rapid rise, how to think about awards and recognition, why your work has impact (no matter where you work), the story of her very public coming out on the ADCOLOR Awards stage and being an openly gay black woman in the industry.

Heads up: I'm finalizing my speaking schedule for the semester, so if you're interested in having me come visit your school, reach out via our Contact Form. 

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Kat Gabrielle, CEO & Co-Founder of 2050Work, isn't afraid to speak openly about the challenges she's faced in her career, while providing actionable advice and solutions for the industry. Hear about having nine odd jobs her first year in NYC, why operations roles in creative companies are misunderstood, how 2050Work connects diverse talent with the creative and tech industries, her experience being the only black person at every company she's worked at for the past 10 years, and throwing imposter syndrome out the window. 

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Lisa Balser, Creative Director, Certified Diversity Executive, and Director of SheSays Atlanta, is working to help tackle some of the industry’s most pressing issues. Hear the best advice she gives to her Creative Circus students, engaging everyone in conversations about diversity, inclusion, and equity, finding ways to make portfolio school more accessible to students, the Atlanta ad scene, and why the 3% Super Bowl Tweet-up is important (and why it’s not just for women!).

Heads up: If you’re in Atlanta, sign up to attend the 3% Super Bowl Tweet-up, hosted by Lisa and The Creative Circus!

See the results of our 2019 User Feedback Survey to learn more about who our users are, what they’re looking for in their careers, and how they use We Are Next. Thank you to everyone who submitted their input!

Kate McElroy, Associate Director of Strategic Planning at Swift, shows us the beauty in knowing there's not one right answer or one way to do things. Hear about the pressure for strategists to have all the answers, why there's no manual for putting together a creative brief, the evolution of social media, and how to get the most out of a mentor relationship (pulled from her involvement in Swift's For The Women program).

Hey, Portland! I'd love to meet you, hang out, and chat over coffee on Saturday, Feb 2. Space is limited, so RSVP for our We Are Next & Friends Meet-up today!

Kevin Green, Creative Director at RAPP, shares his inspirational career path, practical advice for asking for what you need, and how he gives back via the Marcus Graham Project. Hear about how he turned his internship into a full-time job, becoming a Creative Director at 30 and how to accelerate your own growth, co-running the day-to-day operations at the Marcus Graham Project, and his advice for those who feel beat down by the industry. 

Applications are live for the Marcus Graham Project's 2019 iCR8 Summer Bootcamp. Apply here!

Heads up: Take our 2019 User Feedback Survey for a chance to win one of four $50 Amazon gift cards! Your input helps us make We Are Next better, so thank you for taking a sec to tell us about you.

We're starting off 2019 with Bekah Nutt, UX Lead at Zambezi! Hear about how her experience in musical theater (she performed in over 900 performances of Mamma Mia!) has been useful to her agency career, advice for those wanting to switch teams within their agency, a breakdown of what UX entails and the opportunities within the industry, how creatives and strategists can use UX in their own work flows, and why it's important for you to understand an agency's parental leave policy (even if you're not yet a parent).

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Natalie shares her end-of-year thoughts and reflections, as well as focuses for 2019, in the hopes that it'll spark some self-reflection of your own. 

Regular episodes will return on Tuesday, January 8. Until then, have a happy holiday!