Maximizing Your Opportunities: The Art of Asking the Right Questions
By Paulina Navarro, Advertising junior
Paulina Navarro participated in the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications’ CJCxNYC Immersive Fall 2024 program.
Starting as Strangers, Building as a Team
When I first arrived in New York for the CJCxNYC Immersive Fall program, I was surrounded by strangers and students I’d never met, navigating the city’s chaos with wide eyes and nerves. Quickly, I learned that in this program, connections start small but grow fast. The key? Asking the right questions, not just to the industry leaders we met but to the people standing next to me.
Hearing my peers’ questions during visits immediately shifted my mindset. Their perspectives inspired me, sparking my own curiosity and helping me realize that every interaction in this program was an opportunity to learn. By being friendly and open with my group, I built a collaborative dynamic where we could feed off each other’s energy and ideas, asking sharper, more insightful questions as a result.
Preparation is Everything
Walking into high-pressure environments where professionals hold decades of experience can feel daunting, but preparation made all the difference for me. I’d spend time researching the professionals we were set to meet, scrolling through their LinkedIn profiles, skimming their Instagram posts and noting any interesting projects or achievements they’d shared.
This pre-work allowed me to craft questions that were personal and thoughtful. It also made me feel more comfortable in these spaces, where the questions you ask often say more about you than your resume or online profile ever could. By being intentional, I wasn’t just another student in the room, I was someone ready to engage.
One example that stands out is a meeting with an ad executive whose campaign work I’d admired for years. After asking about a specific strategy they’d posted on LinkedIn, I received such a detailed, enthusiastic answer that I used it as a connection point in a follow-up email. This led to a Zoom meeting where I learned even more about their career path and a little insider advice on my own.
Asking Questions Opens Doors
This semester, I’ve emailed approximately 15 professionals I’ve met through visits, and every single one responded. Some replied with detailed advice, while others offered coffee chats or Zoom calls. What made the difference? The questions I asked during our visits.
By tying specific anecdotes from our conversations to my follow-ups, I demonstrated genuine interest and ensured I stood out in their busy inboxes. For example, after one agency visit, I reached out to an account director whose insights on campaign ideation really resonated with me. I referenced a story they shared during the visit, added my own take, and asked a follow-up question. Their response? A meeting invite to discuss their work in more detail.
This approach taught me a valuable lesson: asking the right questions doesn’t just show that you’re listening, it shows that you’re invested. And that investment can take you far.
Collaboration and Curiosity Go Hand in Hand
While individual preparation was key, collaborating with my group made the experience even richer. In the high-energy environments we visited, bouncing ideas off my peers helped me see perspectives I might have missed on my own. By being curious not just about the professionals we met but also about my classmates’ thoughts, I strengthened my ability to ask better, insightful questions.
One of my favorite memories was a group debrief on the subway after a particularly inspiring visit. We shared our impressions, brainstormed follow-up questions and encouraged each other to reach out. It’s this shared energy that has made the program not just educational but transformative.
Lessons Learned: Ask Boldly, Follow Up Thoughtfully
If there’s one thing I’ve learned this semester, it’s this: the questions you ask can shape your entire experience. Whether you’re engaging in a panel discussion or sending a follow-up email, curiosity opens doors and preparation keeps them open.
Here are a few tips I’d pass along to future CJCxNYC students:
- Do Your Homework: Spend time researching the professionals you’ll meet. LinkedIn and social media can reveal insights that help you craft meaningful questions.
- Be Specific: Vague questions lead to vague answers. Reference their work or something they’ve shared publicly to show you’ve done your research.
- Collaborate: Don’t underestimate the power of your group. Listen to their questions, share your ideas and use their energy to fuel your own.
- Follow-up: Always send a thoughtful email after a meeting or visit. Tie your question or takeaway to the conversation you had because it shows initiative and makes you memorable.
A Semester of Growth
Reflecting on this experience, I’m amazed by how much I’ve grown, not just professionally but personally. The city’s fast pace and the program’s high expectations pushed me out of my comfort zone and into spaces where I could thrive. I’ve built connections, learned from incredible professionals and walked away with more than I ever anticipated.
So, to anyone considering the CJCxNYC program, dive in. Be bold. Ask the questions that matter. You never know where they’ll take you.
Posted: January 8, 2025
Category: CJCxNYC Blogs
Tagged as: CJCxNYC, Paulina Navarro
