Juniors are the New Seniors Take Over
Happy 40th FNP edition! And don’t we have a reason to celebrate it.
Last week, we hosted a phenomenal FNP x The Yard networking event, which brought together talent within the creative industry! ‘Jnrs are the New Snrs’ provided an ✨incredible opportunity✨ for junior professionals to connect and engage with seasoned industry leaders. Hiii guys, Rahel here, about to dive into The Juniors are the New Seniors Event.
Image Credits: The amazing Betten Court.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, we wanted to say a huge thank you and well done to @Russie and @Clarice for their efforts in organising and coordinating this event. Their amazing hard work and finesse resulted in a room filled with exceptional diverse individuals. Moreover, they created a safer and relaxed space that encouraged open discussions about the needs, concerns, and solutions necessary to foster a more inclusive ad world.
Bringing Diversity to the Forefront - A Mini Takeover
If you’ve been reading FNP for a while you’ll know we've had discussions on the matter, and we continue to emphasise the pressing need for diversification within the creative world. That's why, at this event (instead of hearing from us), we decided to pass the mic to both juniors and seniors in attendance, to provide some invaluable insights on why events like this are so crucial.
“I think it's important because it provides access. Like, you don't really have events like this out there in many industries. So it's exciting that this is happening in advertising, I think it provides access for people that might not get the opportunity to meet other people in their industries. It’s also important to have access to people that are on the same level as well as seniors.”
“To connect with people that are at different stages in their careers together and to see what learnings we can take from one another. And I think often people think that we should be juniors learning from seniors, but actually it can be the other way around. And I think it's really important to do that and to mix things up”
“We need diversity and inclusion in a room. When we step into a room, we wanna see more people who look like us. We wanna feel welcome. We wanna create and make spaces where we bring a variety of people, diverse change makers, into the same place, help them grow. So it's not just us growing ourselves, we want others to grow with us and take the community forward.”
Impact, Impact, Impact & Key Takeaways.
For Seniors
Tell your story - Studies have shown sharing lived experiences in diversity issues from a senior perspective can greatly benefit those who are just starting out. Seniors can inspire and empower juniors by exchanging knowledge and contributing to the overall growth and development of individuals and organisations alike. Seniors take accountability for creating the change you want to see, keep asking yourselves and those around you if you’re creating an environment for those starting out to thrive.
Do you believe that we should challenge the lack of diversity within advertising from the bottom up or top down? “Top down, absolutely. Although representation is really important in aspiration for younger people. Making them feel heard and seen is what drives and nurtures talent.”
For Juniors
Networking is key - Mentorship and guidance from experienced individuals in a particular field can provide invaluable insights and support for newcomers. Finding a mentor that can offer unique perspectives, and practical advice that can help younger individuals navigate challenges and make informed decisions regarding what to do in tough situations. Don't be afraid to message that person on LinkedIn for a 30 min chat. There's nothing to lose, only potential opportunities in knowledge and more to gain, you never know!
Do you believe that we should challenge the lack of diversity within advertising from the bottom up or top down? “I believe we should challenge the lack of diversity within advertising from the bottom up and top down. Studies show that the representation of black talent is increasing, but black employees face hurdles when gaining visibility in leadership and attaining more senior roles. As a junior planner, I understand that as someone who will write the briefs, representation means having people at every level to achieve the change we are truly aiming for. From casting directors to senior planners, occupying space allows us to have a voice and leverage our experience to help industry newcomers navigate and aim for higher.”
This wouldn’t be a Fax No Printer edition if we didn’t add in our critical thinking questions! Challenge yourself, write down your thoughts, chat with a coworker, or share with your network:
Do you believe that we should challenge the lack of diversity within advertising from the bottom up or top down?
