Meet another one of our recent alumni, Carter Barnett. Barnett is an Advertising major who graduated in the Grady College class of 2015. She is currently working as a Junior Planner in the strategy department at Mythic, a midsize agency in Charlotte, NC.

AdPR Department: How did your experience in Grady help you find your position after graduation?

Carter Barnett: Grady classes give you a wide range of knowledge and experience. The program helped me thoroughly understand the industry and decide which aspect of advertising I wanted to pursue. Even if you aren’t interested in a particular department (account, creative, PR, etc.), it’s a huge advantage to understand the different departments and how they work together. Grady prepares everyone for that.

AdPR: What is one of the biggest things you’ve learned so far in the professional world?

Barnett: Be confident! The company you work for hired you for a reason. Don’t be afraid to give your point of view – it’s more valued than you think.

AdPR: What are some concepts or skills you would consider essentials for AdPR students to grasp before they graduate?

Barnett: Have an open mind. Be open to different opportunities and get out of your comfort zone. You can learn anything if you set your mind to it!

AdPR: On a typical day (or week) in this position what do you do?

Barnett: I’m a Junior Planner at an agency. In general, my job is to be the voice of the consumer. Most days you can find me digging into consumer research, market trends, and generating insights to lead the strategic direction of a project.

AdPR: What are the toughest problems you have to deal with?

Barnett: Clients won’t always have the budget required to produce a massive campaign. It can sometimes be a challenge to work around budget constraints, but learn to love them! It forces you to think harder and be more creative.

AdPR: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

Barnett: Delivering good work. There’s nothing better than seeing a client light up to your work, and then seeing that work show up somewhere. It might take late nights and early mornings, but it’s worth the end product.

AdPR: What is your fondest memory from your time at Grady?

Barnett:  I participated in the Cannes Lions study abroad program before my junior year of college. That was probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. You get an introduction to the ad culture and are surrounded by some of the most successful people in the industry.  Awesome networking opportunity as well!