skip to main content
Terrence Burrell
Terrence Burrell
01:22

Terrence Burrell

Burrell Communications

Chicago, IL USA

"Be the change for one person."

Career Roadmap

Terrence's work combines: Writing, Business, and Being Creative

See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.

Take Roadmap Quiz

Day In The Life

Interim Chief Creative Officer

I help solve communication problems for brands.

02:04

Day In The Life Of An Advertising Creative

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

Like many people, I've had a little voice in my head that tells me I can't do something and I'm going to fail. Unfortunately, that voice rarely goes away no matter how long you've been in an industry. You just have to either learn to not listen to it or use it to empower yourself. What happens when you fail? You learn from it and you find another way to do it. You can use that voice to give yourself the power to do it differently.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication

    Bradley University

  • Graduate Degree

    Copywriting

    Miami Ad School Atlanta

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I graduated from Bradley University with a bachelor’s degree in advertising and communications but I struggled to find a job in the creative industry because I didn’t have a strong portfolio.

  • 2.

    I used a temp agency to get placed as a receptionist at an ad agency—it ended up being a great opportunity because I could work on my portfolio and get feedback from the creatives we worked with.

  • 3.

    The chief creative officer at the agency recommended I go back to school to bolster my skills, so I moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Miami Ad School Atlanta’s copywriting portfolio program.

  • 4.

    After graduating, I got a job as a copywriter for Burrell Communications.

  • 5.

    I’ve since worked my way up and built my career in creative marketing, communications, and advertising.

  • 6.

    I currently work as the interim chief creative officer for Burrell Communications, where I lead the creative department in solving creative communication problems for brands.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Myself:

    I can't do it. I'm going to fail.

  • How I responded:

    Like many people, I've had a little voice in my head that tells me I can't do something and I'm going to fail. Unfortunately, that voice rarely goes away no matter how long you've been in an industry. You just have to either learn to not listen to it or use it to empower yourself. What happens when you fail? You learn from it and you find another way to do it. You can use that voice to give yourself the power to do it differently.