Being a part of the yearbook staff in high school is a small excerpt of what it’s like to work at a creative agency. And I have met many people who work in marketing, advertising, and PR that acknowledge yearbook as their lightbulb moment. Also, many books, articles, and more suggest that high schoolers interested in creative careers should take a yearbook, journalism, or newspaper class at their school.
Believe it or not, those in yearbook complete similar duties, that marketing professionals complete on a day-to-day basis. From graphic design, writing, editing, public relations, and more, I learned a surplus of marketing skills. With the work and time to publish a yearbook, almost equivalent to a month or even a week at an agency!
While joining yearbook was way out of my comfort zone, the two-year experience was a fantastic, yet accidental launching pad for my long-term interest in marketing. Here are 4 transferrable skills I gained while a part of the yearbook staff, and later editor!
Graphic Design
Despite being terrible at drawing, in 6th grade I learned graphic design basics and created binder covers. So, by the time I joined Yearbook in high school I not only refined those skills but was eager to study design through reading and hands-on projects.
During those two years I worked on designing different page layouts, that went along with that year’s theme of telling “2014 Stories.” Putting my newfound knowledge of typography, color theory, illustration, and more to use daily.
Writing & Editing
Writing is a sought-after skill employers look for nowadays, looking for writing skills that go beyond what we learn in an English class. Sure, English classes help you learn the basics of writing, but don’t provide the creative aspect nearly as much as yearbook. Yearbook developed me into an adaptable and resourceful writer, confident about writing on topics I am less knowledgeable about.
While working on the yearbook, it required me to write imaginative yet precise copy to tell the student body’s stories clearly. Optimizing each page so it cohesively flowed through the book despite the diverse and different narratives told.
Public Relations & Networking
PR and networking are at the core of yearbook since it’s a gigantic index of the entire school’s population. I extensively networked among various social groups just to meet the goal for number of students covered. As well as the school’s administration to build relationships so we could hold promotional events and giveaways. The PR skills I learned have been invaluable across different industries and audiences, especially as I took on social media roles.
I also ended up creating relationships with various businesses in the community as to secure ad revenue and placement for our yearbook. Helping my staff to write thank-you notes, answer advertiser’s questions, and more to continually engage local business’s.
Project Management
When I first joined, as a newbie, I had to learn how to organize and schedule my time to complete assigned pages. Once I became editor, I naturally translated those skills to organize and keep the staff on track for the book’s completion. Even looking back, managing the yearbook staff to finish on time makes working, yet alone leading adults, feel like a breeze!
Because even the most childish adults are nothing compared to moody hormone-filled teenagers.
Everyone Is a Creative Full of Infinite Possibilities
Despite yearbook rarely being offered as a class nowadays, it’s had an incredible impact on students to pursue creative professions. For me, without yearbook I never would’ve looked at creative careers that go beyond painting, dancing, acting, etc. Yearbook provided me the chance to have a more well-rounded perspective on how one can use creativity. Learning daily that creativity manifests/shows differently for each of us, meaning truly anyone can be a creative.