Advertising, Digital Media & Public Relations

If you like to write, have a creative flair, enjoy problem-solving, thrive on pressure and in a fast-paced environment, the fields of advertising and public relations might be for you. Whether you work for an independent agency or within the marketing division of a large corporation, you will have the opportunity to shape how the public views your client.

Position Overview

Ephs at VaynerMedia

The fields of advertising and public relations are ideal areas for liberal arts graduates. They call upon your abilities to be a keen observer of the population at large, synthesize public opinion, work well in a team environment, write well, be an articulate and effective public speaker, and maintain a positive and high-energy profile within the workplace. Many Williams students possess these traits, skills, and talents, especially those who have chosen to concentrate on the humanities and social sciences. Check out this interview with Anna Morrison ’07 on how she became a social media specialist or this interview with media marketer-musician, Tom Sikes ’11.

To learn about the industry, check out the platform Advertising Educational Foundation, which connects students to marketing and advertising communities. You can hear from professionals about the industry or check out this in-depth career guide to get you started. If you want to stay updated on the latest trends in advertising, marketing, and communications, sign up for a Smartbrief newsletter. For all the women in the room, consider joining the New York Women in Communications (WICI) to strengthen your role in all communications professions. Are folks interested in public relations? Read a 100-word blog on what the industry is all about or check out PRWeek for daily news.

Resources:

  • Academic Guidance

    While Williams does not offer courses related to these industries, we suggest taking classes that will improve your writing and critical thinking skills. For more specific experience, there are Winter Study opportunities, such as SPEC 12: What's Advertising and Why Should We Care About It.

    Co-curricular Guidance

    You can also engage in clubs or volunteer on-campus to gain the relevant skills. We suggest checking out the following opportunities:

    • Write for The Williams Record.
    • Contribute to the literary magazine, Parlor Tricks (written or visual work).
    • Join All Campus Entertainment (ACE) and learn how to market events to the Williams community.
    • Create a personal blog and share your interests. WordPress and Squarespace offer student discounts.
    • Apply to the NYC Media & Communications Career Trek during Winter Study. Students get to meet with alumni working in media-related roles and visit companies like Google, VaynerMedia, CNN, New York Times. Watch the video from the 2019 trek below!

    • Communication Arts: Communication Arts is the premier source of inspiration for graphic designers, art directors, design firms, corporate design departments, advertising agencies, interactive designers, illustrators, and photographers—everyone involved in visual communication. CA also has a strong Creative Jobs section that allows you to search for jobs by state and zip code.
    • Adweek
    • ADWEEK JOBS
    • Smartbrief from an alum, "I would recommend subscribing to Smartbrief's Advertising, Marketing  & Media publications.  It's free and it condenses important industry-related news to one email."
    • AdForum.com: An information provider focused on the global advertising industry. They partner with the trade press in over 10 of the largest advertising markets around the world and also have partnerships with the industry’s top festivals and award shows.
    • American Association of Advertising Agencies: A national trade association representing advertising agencies across the United States
    • American Advertising Federation Job Bank: AAF Job Bank, a partner in the Marketing Career Network, is the place to find that perfect advertising or marketing job
    • Advertising Educational Foundation (AEF)FAST FORUM: To help students understand the roles that exist in the industry, AEF in partnership with Hearst, has developed a series of short films to provide a deeper look. These interviews provide first-person insight into how the industry works to help you find the right path.
    • Adzuna: Awesome jobs and great companies. Have a look.
    • American Marketing Association
    • Insights Association: Leading voice, resource, and the network of the marketing research and data analytics community

  • Here are some internship opportunities to look out for:

    • Minority Advertising Internship Program
    • Prosek Partners offers an Apprenticeship Program to recent graduates interested in communications and PR
    • Deutsch CEO Val DiFebo ‘84 has made interns an integral part of summers at the advertising industry giant. One of them, Art History major Claudia Portugal ‘20, shares what a typical day looks like in this blog post. Deutsch also offers a Winter Study internship so keep your eyes peeled for that!