Is advertising the right degree for me?

Advertising is creative- plain and simple. We crunch numbers on occasion and we always think with strategy in mind, but creativity and originality are the stars of the show. So, if you are analytically minded but have a creative flair, advertising could be right for you. If you are a die-hard creative writer or designer, advertising could be right for you. If you enjoy telling interesting stories and influencing people, advertising could be right for you. We are passionate about what we do and we have a lot of fun - come join us!

What kind of jobs can I get with an advertising degree?

Advertising is one of the few industries where nearly anyone can find a fulfilling career suited to their individual personality and abilities. Most traditional jobs in the advertising industry focus on account services, creative, or media. Account managers (sometimes known as account executive, project manager, brand manager, among others) serve as the liaison between the client and the agency. Account planners research consumers' attitudes, lifestyles, and behaviors to make sure their perspective is considered when developing advertising messages. Creatives (e.g., art directors, copywriters, graphic designers) use these insights to help generate creative ideas to craft the most effective messages for the client. The production team (e.g., web designers, photographers, videographers, video editors) then takes these creative ideas and turns them into reality. Media planners conduct research to generate insights about consumers' media habits, and the media buyers then use these insights to negotiate with media providers (e.g., cable television, social media, etc.) the best times and locations to place the advertising messages. 

How can I get involved?

Students have the opportunity to join student organizations that provide them with “real-world” experience, networking opportunities, etc. Advertising students are encouraged to join Tech Advertising Federation (TAF), a chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF); apply for the advertising team for an opportunity to compete in the AAF National Student Advertising Competition; as well as take advantage of opportunities through our brand new state-of-the-art ideation lab, Think Tank. Students can also join other student organizations in the College of Media & Communication, including Outpost, The Hub, KTXT, Double T Insider, etc.