Simply getting good grades will also help you get into a good college.
Consider a minor in communications, business, or both. This can help with analytic and interpersonal skills.
Coding (HTML, PHP) Video creation and editing (Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Flash) Photo manipulation (Photoshop) Digital design (Illustrator, InDesign)
Apply for graduate school between December and February, prior to the fall you wish to start. No amount of school is a replacement for work experience. You may want to spend some time working before you go back to school.
Ask your professors about internship possibilities. More internships are available to students than non-students, so begin looking for this kind of work while you are still in school. Visit the websites for companies you like and look for internship opportunities.
Ideally, you will find work in the media you’d like to work with (newspaper, magazine, web, etc. ). However, any type of creative work, or even work in business, can be beneficial to you.
Develop your personal elevator pitch, and figure out how to introduce yourself in just a minute or two. Take a creative director out to lunch or coffee to get advice about your career.
The most important thing is to follow the specific application guidelines to a T. For instance, if a job asks for 3 design examples, do not provide 5. If they want a resume, keep it to 1-2 pages. If they want a CV, it can be much longer. Tailor your resume and portfolio to meet the needs of the job. For instance, if it is a writing job, foreground your writing/editing experience and only mention design experience briefly.
Start by doing as much research as you can about the company. Make flashcards about key features of the company. They will want someone who already understands their mission, goals, and attitude. Your interviewer will always ask if you have any questions. Come up with a series of question you’d like to ask. This can include specifics about your workload, type of work you’ll be doing, and salary/benefits. Practice with a friend. Try to imagine what questions they will ask and do a practice interview at home.
Show up for work early and stay late. Be polite, congenial, and easy to work with. Be willing to take on additional projects. Take all projects seriously, even seemingly insignificant ones. Double and triple-check all of your assignments to ensure that they are free from errors. Complete all projects on time, or ahead of schedule.
Most people must work in the industry for a few years before they can be considered for a job as a creative director.
Revisit and improve your resume and portfolio. Emphasize the ways in which you worked hard and exceeded expectations with your current employer. Seek positive references from your current supervisor and/or happy clients (if your position allows you to do so). Practice your interview skills again. Keep moving up, within a given company or outside of it, until you gain a position as a lead creative director.
