[allgiggles1984]

How do I gain experience in that field? Do agencies take on students for experience in that department? Do you know of any places that deal with junior account managers or should I say 'take them under their wings' and help them to the role of a junior? How does a graphic design graduate go about it? I live in the Manchester/Preston area if that's any help. I don't have to do another course do I to become one?

[pgo]

Since your job would be interacting directly with clients, I'm pretty sure you need years of experience in the industry before you can be an account manager.

[Do Gooder]

not really sure about that side of the game.

i wonder if there's an AccountManagersTalk anywhere on the interweb?

getting a job as a receptionist/dogs body in an agency can't hurt.

[pgo]

Originally Posted by Do Gooder

getting a job as a receptionist/dogs body in an agency can't hurt.

Yeah. Administrative Assistant. Work your way up from there.

Of course, if you're a GD graduate, I don't know why you'd be so quick to abandon design as a career.

EDIT: Not that there's anything wrong with that. I gave up being an artist (painter) to be developer. If you want to move toward the business end of things, more power to you!

[niggle]

How do I gain experience in that field? Do agencies take on students for experience in that department? Do you know of any places that deal with junior account managers or should I say 'take them under their wings' and help them to the role of a junior? How does a graphic design graduate go about it? I live in the Manchester/Preston area if that's any help. I don't have to do another course do I to become one?

Hi Giggles,

As an account manager you'd be expected to manage existing clients, but possibly more importantly you'd probably be expected to win new ones, develop leads and win business opportunities.

Good business development skills are worth their weight in gold and are the lifeblood of a company so if you're willing to prove that you can do it, a lot of agencies will give you a fighting chance.

[allgiggles1984]

What about gaining experience? I thought an account manager in design agency could be someone from a graphics background.

[Do Gooder]

rarely. in my experience anyway.

unless you count a sad 'jack of all trades' sap like me.

most seem to come from a sales and/or marketing background.

[Limbo]

no way - the best account handlers know what design is - those from a design background are generally great as they side with creatives, not clients.

A good account handler is a godsend (and an oxymoron).

[pgo]

Agree with Limbo.

We have a tech lead here (sort of a coordinator between the dev team and the client's dev/IT team) who comes from a programming background. He told me he wanted to go into management instead, so he could do programming on the side and actually enjoy it again.

Usually, though, people who move from a production to a management role will do so after years in a production role. Usually.

[Do Gooder]

i have met one or two good ones. good talkers, listeners and negotiators who also listen to creatives... then go and sell the work.

i have also met a lot of bad ones...

[weldo]

Originally Posted by Do Gooder

rarely. in my experience anyway.

unless you count a sad 'jack of all trades' sap like me.

most seem to come from a sales and/or marketing background.

yep.

they tell the client that everything is possible - and then expect others to deliver.

[d*d]

I've was an account manager for a while, didn't get on with it but coming from a design background helped a lot in selling the right design to clients and communicating briefs to the designers. I found it frustrating not being hands-on with the design process though

[mx]

Surely there'll be jobs for junior account handlers out there.

I know a few people who've moved from the creative side of things into Account/Project Management.

You also could look at a Prince2 qualification, which seems to be the industry standard. The courses cost a fair wack but make you far more employable.

[allgiggles1984]

Originally Posted by d*d

I've was an account manager for a while, didn't get on with it but coming from a design background helped a lot in selling the right design to clients and communicating briefs to the designers. I found it frustrating not being hands-on with the design process though

I think my final major project not going well is leading me to an account managing role. It would be a dream come true for me I think or am I saying this because I am currently having a bad time with graphics at the end of 5 years? haha I think it would be a great role for me to get involved in due to the organisation/communication skills I have. Puuuuuurfect!
PS I have work placements secured during a few months. Do you think they would let me gain experience in that area if I asked? Or is that rude because I am actually going for work experience in graphic design? I wonder...