The Exciting World of Advertising – Commentary by Kazuki Okamura

One year ago I would never be able to imagine my current circumstances. My interest in advertising has started only last winter, and I have had exciting days since then. I spent two months as an intern at an ad agency in Tokyo, Japan. Everything in those days was new for me… and I became sure that ads are exciting.

Then I have come here to Minnesota in the United States and have since started another internship opportunity at Lime Valley Advertising. What is interesting is… everything is still new! I am glad that there are so many new and exciting things in this world.

The two ad agencies seem to have only two things in common. Both are small and dedicated to advertising. Apart from these two exceptions, everything is a difference between them: working style or time, major field of job, local or urban, style of office architecture, and even languages. I will probably continue to find these kinds of differences as long as I work here as an internship student. Comparison works as an analytical base to find new things; you can view your place differently by going into different place. And I really appreciate it.

I guess almost all readers of this commentary spent a time in which you thought about your future path and tried some opportunities for it… I am exactly in that kind of period of time. I am quite new for the ad world and therefore am still learning specific skills for it, but I feel like I am enjoying this developing stage. I’m sure that I can find something and improve myself at Lime Valley Advertising; here is a great place with opportunities.

When asked to write this commentary, I was wondering what I could say, and I’ve decided to talk about my newness and freshness as a student from other country. I would be happy if you, too, can enjoy your reflection on your initial feelings or excitement at the beginning of your career.

Kazuki Okamura is a student intern at Lime Valley Advertising, Inc. An international student from Japan, he is currently studying at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, MN.

Lime Valley is a full-service marketing communications firm located in Mankato, MN. Its success is built upon the collective experience of its staff. Since 1988, the company has worked with service and retail businesses, manufacturers, educational institutions, non-profits, and civic organizations to provide creative communication solutions. Lime Valley’s in-house services include copywriting, graphic design, media planning, photography, website development, and digital and social media integration.