Many paths can lead to a career in media, advertising and marketing. In a new series, we speak to members of the industry to find out about their unusual job histories – today is the turn of Media Arts Labs’ junior art director Nick Jones, who reveals his former life as a racing driver.

M&M: So, describe your previous role.

NJ: “I started racing go-karts about 20 years ago and progressed up the ladder racing single-seater race cars in the United States and Europe, and then eventually racing sports cars in the United States. I was fortunate enough to race in world renowned series like the British Formula 3 Championship, The Porsche Carrera Cup and the 24 hours of Daytona with Grand-Am.”

M&M: What were the pros and cons of being a race car driver?

NJ: “I loved the competition of racing and the challenge of pushing a car to find its limits. It’s a challenge and focus that has no comparison. I think one of the biggest cons is that racing, unlike most sports, is more driven by money than talent alone. There were a lot times when there just wasn’t funding available for testing or evening entering an event, so I think that was ultimately my biggest frustration – having the talent, but not necessarily the funding.”

M&M: How has the experience helped with your advertising career?

NJ: “Like any vocation, I think you need to have a burning passion for what you do. I’d like to think I have the same passion for advertising that I did with racing. Mentally, racing takes a lot of focus, which I think has helped me immensely. At the same time, the other side of racing is advertising – sponsorship. So I learned a great deal of sports marketing ideas and pitching to companies.”

M&M: What made you move in to advertising?

NJ: “Getting the opportunity to race for as long as I did was extremely fortunate, but I think I always knew I’d end up in advertising. I went to university for communication design and focused on advertising – interned for two summers at Chiat/Day and always kept a toe in the industry – mostly working on little projects on the side. I love the challenge and problem-solving advertising brings. It can have its low points, but ultimately it’s really rewarding.”

Do you or a colleague have an interesting or unexpected CV? Let us know by emailing anna.dobbie@csquared.cc.