I decided I wanted to come to SCA…a week ago. For context, I’m writing this on Thursday, September 14, 5 days before classes begin. I am sitting in my office on the eve of my last day at my full time job, in San Francisco, California. I know what you might be thinking. Are you insane? The short answer is, aren’t we all? 

The long answer is, I’ve been dreaming of being an advertising copywriter for nearly a decade. I actually had a deposit down at VCU’s Brandcenter in 2016, and bailed in favor of getting some real professional experience first. I don’t regret that choice—I’ve learned so much in the past 7.5 years working. I’ve been a production assistant, a digital copywriter, a content strategist, a brand copywriter, a product copywriter, a UX copywriter, a writing manager, a children’s book writer. But I haven’t done what I truly want to do, what I now know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I’m meant to do—advertising copywriting. So, here I am. 

I’m terrified to leave my comfortable, well-paying job. I’m sad to leave my home, my partner, my life in San Francisco for a while. I’m eager to meet my teachers and classmates, and feel inspired by them. I’m thrilled at the prospect of 10 months in London, and anxious about border patrol agents not letting me in without a visa. I haven’t figured out housing, health insurance, or a phone plan. I don’t yet even own a personal laptop or Adobe. I’m only halfway through Made to Stick, 2 podcasts in, and have nothing but a few (objectively terrible) ideas for how to learn my skill and make my video. All this to say—I’m starting off as a very bad student.

But I know I’ll thrive here. I feel it in my bones. I have so much to learn, and I am so ready to dive in to all of it. Even if that means spending the first few weeks getting out of the dog house for missed homework assignments. Better to start off with low expectations, I suppose. It can only go up from here. 

Mel DeStefano

@mellydeewrites