Jarred, Creative Director at EY: Advize Career Interview
A Creative Director at EY, this individual's career path showcases a unique approach to success.
Building a career through passion rather than a direct academic route, this professional carved their own path, defining the role and fostering organizational support.
The work is dynamic, encompassing everything from on-location film direction to solitary brainstorming and writing. Essential skills include strong storytelling, content editing, curiosity, and confident idea presentation.
The greatest reward is witnessing audience reactions and creating emotional connections.
While challenges exist—the subjective nature of creative work and the pressure to constantly innovate—the exposure to diverse clients and industries within professional services makes the career path incredibly rewarding.
A passion for storytelling and a willingness to embrace the unconventional are key to thriving, as is learning the value of shared credit and collaborative creativity.
Entry-level positions exist, offering traditional routes to hone skills; however, unconventional paths are also possible.
The interviewee's journey exemplifies the addictive thrill of successful idea pitching and the importance of embracing new experiences and stepping outside the box.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jarred Raissen
Creative Director
EY
The University of Michigan, Ross School of Business - 2015
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Consulting
Communication and Marketing
First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Creative Director at EY
Jarred's career path as a Creative Director at EY is "a little bit non-traditional," built by pursuing passions rather than a direct academic route. After studying business at the University of Michigan, Jarred "carved their own path" in consulting, defining the role of Creative Director and finding organizational support to achieve their vision.
Main Responsibilities of a Creative Director at EY
A Creative Director's main responsibility is not solely generating "the best idea," but rather fostering "the creative process," supporting a team to refine ideas through iteration and feedback. This involves extensive research, including analyzing trends in storytelling and advertising to push creative boundaries and anticipate future directions.
A Day in the Life of a Creative Director at EY
A Creative Director's workday is highly variable; some days involve "shooting days," on location directing film crews, while others are dedicated to brainstorming sessions and concept development, or even solitary writing, ideally "on an airplane" to maximize focus. The common thread is the consistent need for creativity to energize both colleagues and clients.
Most Important Skills for a Creative Director at EY
Jarred, a Creative Director at EY, emphasizes both technical skills like "writing and telling stories" and the ability to "edit content," citing the importance of readily available tools and the creator economy in developing such abilities. Beyond technical skills, Jarred highlights the crucial role of "curiosity" and "confidence" in presenting ideas effectively, viewing these as invaluable assets for a successful creative career.
Favorite Parts of Being a Creative Director at EY
Jarred, EY's Creative Director, finds the greatest fulfillment in witnessing audience reactions to "something had a part in producing," experiencing the adrenaline rush of creating an emotional connection. The impact on the audience, making "them feel," is what drives the work and provides the ultimate reward.
Biggest Challenges Faced by a Creative Director at EY
Jarred, EY's Creative Director, identifies two key challenges: the subjective nature of creative work, requiring the ability to "detach from" negative feedback while remembering "there are still enough people who did resonate," and the constant pressure to produce increasingly impactful ideas, necessitating effective expectation management.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Consulting Industry as a Creative Director at EY
Jarred, a Creative Director at EY, finds the most rewarding aspect of professional services "the exposure to so many different things," citing diverse clients and industries—from banking and oil and gas to consumer products and technology—as key to this variety. This constant change, unlike the predictability of a previous internship, allows for a "jack of all trades" approach, leading to rich global experience and a career path far from stagnant.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Creative Industry, According To A Creative Director At EY
Jarred, EY's Creative Director, identifies a passion for story – "sharing, consuming, and interacting" – as key to thriving in the creative industry. This passion, coupled with innate curiosity and confidence, fuels the ability to develop ideas that create emotional connections with others, a core element of his creative work.
What A Creative Director At EY Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Creative Industry
Jarred, EY's Creative Director, reflects on the unexpectedly "addicting" nature of successfully pitching ideas, describing the feeling as "the best feeling on Earth." This "surge of energy and confidence" motivates a continuous pursuit of creative wins, highlighting the importance of mental preparation for managing the intense emotional highs and the drive to constantly chase that feeling.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Creative Directors
Entry-level roles like "junior copywriter," "junior designer," or "junior artist" provide a traditional path into the creative field, allowing one to "hone skills as a creative person and as a storyteller," despite potentially "crazy hours" and little initial recognition. Jarred's own unconventional journey highlights that alternative routes exist, but a more traditional entry point may be less arduous.
Significant Career Lesson From a Creative Director at EY
Jarred, EY's Creative Director, learned that sharing credit for good ideas, even when feeling solely entitled, is "more rewarding than getting all the credit." This approach transforms team dynamics, fosters respect, and allows for the development of "Creative Energy together," ultimately distinguishing those who understand collaborative creativity.
College Experiences That Helped A Creative Director At EY Succeed
Jarred's success stems from embracing new experiences and stepping "outside the box" during undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan, a journey that broadened their perspective and prepared them for career challenges. This approach, born from a pivotal rejection that shifted their outlook, highlights the value of seeking "the weird, the abnormal," and fully immersing oneself in diverse opportunities.
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