Find out how Rachel Howald finds her love of career in advertising

Find out how Rachel Howald finds her love of career in advertising

Our story begins at Oberlin College, as a graduating senior contemplates what to do after earning her bachelor's in English and theater. The choice is not easy, since she has been accepted into multiple graduate programs in everything from law to liberal studies. In her words, though, "the hand of fate" deftly steps in to guide her toward the advertising program at UT, where she ultimately finds the career she loves. Rachel Howald completed UT's creative sequence and earned her M.A. in advertising in 1994.

After graduation, she freelanced for a couple of weeks at BBDO in New York before landing a job at DDB. Just a year later, Rachel found herself at Young & Rubicam, where she skyrocketed through the ranks to her current position as creative director and vice president. She's been creating great advertising and winning accolades throughout her career, including a silver pencil at the 2000 One Show awards. Rachel currently acts as co-creative director on Y&R's Computer Associates account, and she has recently worked with such clients as United Airlines and Pella Windows. In addition, she tries to have at least one pro bono campaign going at all times. One of her favorite clients so far has been the Bronx Zoo, for which she created three years' worth of award-winning advertising.

"I learned more than I have on any other account--interviewing zoologists working all over the world, ... touring their vet hospital pathology lab to see rhino bits from autopsies in the 1950s, all sorts of interesting stuff." Rachel stresses that the investment in a master's degree has paid off in her career. In fact, she attributes much of her professional success to UT's broad-based advertising curriculum.

"UT gave me the broadest understanding of advertising possible. I have a firm basis not only in creative, but also [in] management, media, research and planning. That has been invaluable, and has been instrumental in making the leap from junior copywriter in 1994 to creative director by 2000."

Rachel's advice for aspiring advertising professionals? For creatives, no surprise: produce a fabulous portfolio. And for everyone: experience as many non-advertising influences as you can. "I think ad people benefit most from breadth of knowledge versus depth. ... [It] gives you more to tap into when you're working."

Finally, a summary of Rachel's career wouldn't be complete without mentioning the unique perspective and sense of humor that have helped her succeed both professionally and personally. Perhaps she summed up her personality best in an interview response, asserting that if she were a brand, she'd be a Chia Pet. "But not Chia Head. Too trendy."

2/22/2001