Training Program

What should I expect from the Studio?

Our culture is supportive, collaborative, creative and as trite as it sounds, much like a family (the functional kind).  The Studio is a frenetic, yet peaceful place of business and a creative environment to say the least.  We laugh a lot and are serious about results. In a blatant reference to LOST, the Studio will give back to you, what you put into it.

 

How does your Studio hierarchy work?

Ask David or Sam who they consider to be the most important people at the Studio and without blinking an eye, they will say "well us...uh...we mean our Trainees." The Trainees are the backbone of our organization and embody everything we believe in. They are here to make our associates' jobs serving the clients easier.  They are here to support David & Sam's making DSPR a great, rewarding place to work.

 

How tough is it to get into the Training Program?

We are proud to offer the most exclusive Training Program in the Northern Hemisphere. That means if you are hard working, smart, talented, creative and very cool to hang with, we may include you.

Currently we accept six to 10 percent of applicants. Are you that good? Do you want it that badly?

 

How much food does a full-grown gorilla eat in a day? 

An adult male eats up to 40 pounds of food a day.

 

What does it take to get a job at DSPR?

New clients create new jobs. (Yes, we will pay you a referral fee if you send us business.) There is no way of forecasting what opportunity a Trainee has for a job here. You are coming here to learn, meet people and peek behind the curtain.  No other agency will let you do this level of work. Since your new friends in the program are just as smart, nice and ambitious as you are, relationships are being made that will last your entire career. And the door to David and Sam's office (aka "The Fish bowl" or "The Bat Cave" depending on the time of year) is always open.  In fact, we encourage the Trainees to work in there with us. If all that's not enough for you, stop reading now.

 

Will you help me get a job even if it is not with DSPR?

If you're a great member of the Program and we can't offer you a job, the best thing we can do is to help launch your career. We make calls, write letters, help with resumes, give recommendations and pretty much do anything else we can do to help you get established. Trainee alumni are working in Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego - at places like PR agencies, private companies, resorts, a TV production shop and even a casino.

Here's something pretty exciting.  DSPR is a member of PRBI (Public Relations Boutiques International) which means we have more than 20 partners around the world.  If you're craving a new life adventure we can at least get you an informational interview in some really cool cities.

 

What is the timeframe to get to the top?

The Program is not rigidly structured but it can be demanding.  It is unpaid, so we will work to accommodate your schedule whenever possible.  We understand you have classes, a job and in some cases, a family.   There aren't a pre-determined amount of hours per week, or a required length of time. That having been said, the people who have put the most into their time at the Studio have gotten the most out of it. We have had Trainees stay with us for a year while they looked for a job or finished school because they realized they wouldn't get better experience or have more fun anywhere else. They're right.

 

Who are the Trainees?

Well, we have had an 18-year-old graduate of Thunderbird School of Global Management.  And we have had a 38-year-old corporate executive who needed agency experience.  We've had freshmen and seniors, grad students and a few people in their late-20's looking for a new career. Many are Cronkite students, some students of life. Some are here for internship credit.   What everyone is here for is experience - and relationships. And that is what you will get, if you are good enough to get in and stay in. That's right - we do ask Trainees to leave on occasion. If you are here for a credit that means it's a class. You have to pass it. No guarantees.

Showing up for your shift and going through the motions isn't enough.  You have to bring your "A game" and must be willing to share who you are, while with us.  If not, there's a whole bunch of people who want your spot.

What does it take to succeed as a Trainee?

Trainees must demonstrate the ability to follow directions, have a great attitude, deliver on deadlines, work on a team and get details right. Everywhere around you, every day, are opportunities to excel called "Honey Bears." You get to learn what that means after you start...

 

What are some tasks that a Trainee should expect?

A great Trainee understands that everything they do here is important -- whether it's putting together a media list, researching editorial calendars, going to Costco or answering the phones. Make no mistake, for awhile you will do more of the latter. There are no laurels to rest on and your dues will be paid every day.  Everyone makes mistakes, but we expect you to learn from them.  Everyone is expected to care about what they do.  If you don't learn and you don't care, it shows disrespect for the hard work of your colleagues and all who have gone through the Program before you. You are earning a credential. You don't get to put our name on your resume and consider yourself part of the family if you don't bust your banana every day you come in here.

 

Are there different levels of Trainees?

Officially, no. In theory the more time you are here, the more you have learned and therefore can do things that the newer Trainees can't. Eventually you will be assigned to accounts, shadowing the Associates and Founders. You will participate in client meetings, meet journalists, contribute to creative sessions and write copy. Solid bullet points for your resume --- hands-on experience in media relations, community relations, social media, branding, marketing and field tactics.  How many "internships" out there give you an opportunity to do real account work? Exactly.

How long does it take to get to do the cool stuff?  It's up to you. Ultimately this is a merit system. Don't bitch if you get lapped by someone younger or newer working harder. There's a difference between a kiss ass and someone with ambition.  There's a difference between challenging yourself every day to do your best, and maliciously competing with your colleagues. This isn't Grey's Anatomy. If you do something to blatantly climb over someone's back, or hurt them, Reggie will toss you out the door on the spot.

 

Does all of that sound like we're hard asses?  Or fun?  Or exciting? 

Good, you're right.  You might have come to this Web site looking for just an "internship," but if you want to join the DSPR family you better be ready for a whole lot more than that. To learn more about becoming a Trainee, send Reggie a banana.

P.S. The ultimate revenge for a Trainee is to become a client some day.