Advertising students thrive in the shadows
of Madison Avenue
St. John’s University’s popular
Advertising Communications program has a decided advantage over
similar programs offered in other regions: location. Just a few
short miles from the center of the advertising universe, the
University’s proximity to New York’s fabled Madison Avenue is a
huge draw, according to John Swan, Director of the
Advertising Communications program. “There are some really great
advertising programs around the country, but St. John’s is located
directly across the river from the city where it all
happens.”
Offered by the College of
Professional Studies (CPS), the program prepares students for
careers in advertising as account executives, art directors,
copywriters, media buyers and planners. Employment in the
advertising industry is expected to grow by 12 percent through
2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, making this an
excellent time to enter the burgeoning field. In New York City,
media-related fields grew by 10,500 jobs last year, a 6.6 percent
boost.
The University’s location plays a pivotal role in helping St.
John’s advertising students secure internships at some of the
world’s premier advertising agencies and communication companies.
“If you name a place in advertising, marketing or public relations,
chances are we’re getting our students in there,” said Professor
Swan. “These are internships at the highest level of the
advertising business — the major leagues.”
Years ago, finding student internships at leading agencies and
media companies could be a bit of a challenge. Now, because of the
reputation of the program and its students, this has changed. “We
used to have to knock on doors to get students internships. Now, we
have top agencies coming to us,” said Professor. Swan. He added,
“People who’ve had our students as interns love their common sense
and above all, their work ethic.”
Internships often lead to permanent positions after graduation, a
fact that is not lost on Professor Swan or his students. To help
facilitate this transition, the school holds open seminars and
information sessions to show students how best to turn an
internship into a full-time position after graduation.
In addition, each semester the student-run Advertising Club
sponsors a networking event featuring some of the industry’s most
influential leaders. “Since we’re right here in New York, our most
recent panel featured five 20-year veterans from a variety of
advertising disciplines,” Professor Swan said of the impressive
assembly.
Later this year, rising stars from the field also spoke to students
about the current state of the job market in advertising. “Students
are nervous,” said Professor Swan. “By featuring people that were
sitting in their seats just a few short years ago, we can create
hope by showing they’re still hiring and that there are still jobs
out there.”
Graduates of the program leave St. John’s well-prepared to meet the
challenges of the business. According to the Professor, “We’re
getting a lot of feedback that our students are learning real,
practical skills that they can use starting on day one.” He added,
“Employers are excited to know that when they hire a St. John’s
graduate, they’ll have a higher level of understanding and can hit
the ground running.”
For more information on the Advertising Communications program,
contact Professor Swan at: swanj@stjohns.edu