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by Rashida Nebbitt on 6.26.2012 in Company News 2

For anyone who’s a Mizzou Alumni, I’m sure you’re familiar with Mizzou’s column walking tradition.  The Tiger Walk happens when you’re a freshman, new to the college experience. You line up on the quad with your best friends and walk through the columns toward Jesse Hall symbolizing your entrance into the university.  Fast forward four years and you participate in the Tiger Prowl.  As a senior, you line up at the steps of Jesse Hall and walk toward Downtown Columbia, away from Mizzou, symbolizing your entrance into the real world (plus they give you a beer). 

Four years ago, I stood staring at Jesse Hall, standing arm-in-arm with two of my friends from high school ready to be a Tiger! Fast forward to May 2012, and I’m standing arm-in-arm with those same friends I Tiger Walked with, but this time we have our backs toward Jesse.  We’re facing the real world, we’re about to have responsibility, and more importantly, we’re about to be big kids! When I was a kid and someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up for a while the answer was a Spice Girl.  Now at age 22 and a recent grad, I’ve finally come to terms with the fact that I will not be a Spice Girl (nor be married to David Beckham for that matter).  I’ve set out to be something a little different, but just as awesome…a Brightonian!

Since taking those first steps away from Mizzou, I’ve taken my first steps into the ad agency world at Brighton.  Four weeks ago I was sleeping in, watching hours (and I mean HOURS) of Grey’s Anatomy on Netflix, and making coffee at the very early hour of 12 p.m. Since starting as a Jr. Account Executive at Brighton my days are a little different.  Now, by 12 p.m., I’ve proofread copy, made a few Excel sheets, prowled the Internet for PR clippings and have consumed two-to-three cups of coffee.

To me, Brighton is like a melting pot of all kinds of talent, experience, and backgrounds.  This is a place for experienced professionals with years and years of proven success as well as recent grads like me.  I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t overwhelmed during my first week, or that this job is a piece of cake.  You’re a Brightonian from day one so you get thrown onto projects within your first few days. The thing that makes me come to Brighton ready to work hard every morning is the people.  In my first week everyone was willing to answer any question I had, no matter how amateur it seemed, and I couldn’t make a loop around the office without someone saying ‘hi’ and asking me about myself.  By the end of my first week I was exhausted, but very proud of myself.  I was in need of a glass of wine, but still wouldn’t have changed anything about that week.  I’ve learned more in my past three weeks at Brighton than I did in my entire senior year at Mizzou.  I have a feeling the next eight weeks are going to be a wild ride, but being a Brightonian makes me all the more prepared.

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