So I'm watching the evening news on WXYZ-TV in Detroit. They feature a casting call for families in Ann Arbor, MI for Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

If you've read this blog more than once, I talk about creating opportunities for yourself. I've also said pro-bono work is a great way to build your portfolio. Jobs like this don't pay the bills, but they can make you feel pretty good.

People often ask me how can they build up their social media experience. Why not take up this cause or something like it? In general,  I'm talking about volunteering to help organizations identify families in need for various programs. And social media is about as grassroots as you can get with promotions.

In the case of Extreme Makeover, don't dismiss it as silly, until you give it some thought. Maybe you can put your creative skills to work and help get a family selected for a home re-do. Everyday people and organizations make pleas to have their homes rebuilt and these families probably could use a helping hand to tell their stories.

• Go to a church or some organization to locate candidates.
• Volunteer to help them with the application and shoot their story. Remember this isn't supposed to be a lavish production. But with your keen skills, you could shoot and edit a pretty compelling story.
• After entering, make the family standout with a grassroots campaign to garner some attention.

I know the whole idea of getting a family on this show is pretty bold and ambitious. But why should that stop you? Advertising is a business built on being bold. Thousands of entries come to ABC every week I'm sure. Each family knows it's a one-in-a-million shot to get picked. (That's no different than trying to land one of these open creative positions.)

Think positively. What if you pull this off?

Times are tough. I can't think of a better reason to go extreme. Out-of-the-box thinking may get you into a cubicle at an agency sooner than you think.

By the way, if you are thinking about submitting an entry for Ann Arbor, MI, I believe it's due April 21,2010. Not a lot of time? What are you going to do when you're at an agency and clients demand 24-hour shoots from you?