Parika Sikder
Advertising, 2017. Copywriter
I learned the hard way that if I didn’t value my work or time, nobody else would either.
What Program did you graduate from and when?
I graduated from the Advertising program in the class of 2017.
What is your current title or role? (e.g. freelance designer, art practitioner, etc.)
Currently, I work as a Copywriter at Isobar Canada which is a digital innovation agency in the Dentsu Network.
Why did you choose to attend OCAD U?
I chose OCAD U for a number of reasons. While many of them were personal, I knew that this school was going to be the catalyst that equipped me with the tools and resources I needed to have a creative career when I had zero connections and zero knowledge of how to get started.
Where I come from, most people have outdated ideas of what a career in the creative arts looks like let alone how fulfilling it can be. While everyone I knew was obsessing over getting good grades and picking schools based on where their friends were going, I was this passionate kid from Brampton who spent way more time organizing events as student body president, laying out pages as chief editor of the yearbook committee, and singing on stage as the lead singer of the band than I did studying for any test or exam. I knew from a young age that I had to bet on getting into the school that actually took my ambitions seriously. For me, that meant proving why I was worth it to the interviewers at OCAD U.
Please briefly describe your current job/practice.
My role as a copywriter helps brands communicate with their fans in a meaningful way. I spend most of my days ideating, researching, and writing compelling copy for a variety of brands that want to create anything from large integrated digital campaigns to pop-up event marketing. I also get to work on new business pitches which I believe is where the real learning happens, especially for young creatives.
How did you get started in your career?
My first job out of school was a freelance contract Copywriter at Leo Burnett Toronto thanks to a friend from OCAD U. She got hired and a month later they were looking for a partner and she reached out to me.
What were your policies regarding internships, volunteering, and paid work?
I wish I knew more about what my standards should have been when I first started. After experiencing both freelancing and full-time work in agencies, I would say that the best standards I could have upheld were demanding that I be paid for my creative services/intellect and showing confidence when asking for it. I learned the hard way that if I didn’t value my work or time, nobody else would either.
What do you enjoy most about your work? What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
The best part about my day is definitely working with a talented team of individuals from all backgrounds. I would argue that every brief poses a new challenge, but it also allows me to spend my days learning about aspects of culture I would have never considered — and I get paid to do that (among other things).
What skills or relationships developed at OCAD U helped you participate in your field? Is there anything you would have done differently?
The advertising program was special because we learned from practicing professionals with decades of experience in the industry. I still keep in touch with a few key professors because they helped me understand the value of creating great work. Everything from learning to think conceptually by seeking insights, understanding what a strong creative brief looks like, and discovering how to do cultural research really helped me get to where I am. If anything, I would’ve told myself to internalize these skills faster.
What are the key responsibilities you maintain for your practice?
My key responsibilities range based on the project. Overall, I’m in charge of writing compelling scripts, social copy, presentation decks, etc. The list goes on, but I would say the bigger part of my day revolves around coming up with ideas.
What are your personal and professional goals for the coming years?
Overall, I’m looking forward to making progress in the new decade. The fun thing about having a creative career is that a lot of my personal and professional goals are interlinked. I’m currently in the process of writing my first book and I also have a few side projects that are just getting started that I hope to balance on top of my regular workload.
