Tim O'Dea '19
Some of my favorite Grand Valley memories were enjoying all the Welcome Week festivities and attending the final Toast with T. Haas.
Advertising/Public Relations Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Academic Resources
Explore our Ad and PR resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
Advertising and Public Relations Department
What Can I Do With This Major?
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Career Resources
Unlock your career potential in Advertising and Public Relations! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample Ad/PR Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Civic Engagement Center
Ad/PR Study Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Expand your knowledge of advertising and public relations on a global scale by participating in a study abroad experience. You will gain unique skills and learn about diverse perspectives that will serve you as you move into your career.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
Fellowship Opportunities
Fellowships are high-impact, potentially life-changing opportunities for students and alumni, opening doors to careers in public service, advanced academic study, foreign service, international teaching, and other career and service pathways into meaningful and fulfilling lives.
Ad/PR Career Spotlights
Ad/PR spotlights
Jaime Guzior '12
My favorite memory is attending chapter meetings every Sunday with my Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority sisters.
Austin Langlois '13
A huge part of my experience at GVSU was working as a tour guide in Admissions. I started as a Freshman and ended up giving tours until I graduated.
- Assistant Account Executive – Seyferth PR
- Marketing Lead – Trotec Laser, Inc.
- Public Relations Associate - Rock Ventures, LLC
- Search Specialist - Evolvics
- Public Relations and Social Media Coordinator - SpartanNash
- Content Manager - BlackTruck Marketing and Media
- Communications Coordinator - Holland Engineering, Inc.
- Retail Marketing Coordinator - Wolverine Worldwide
- Media Management & Marketing – Alive Media, LLC
- Freelance Graphic Designer – New York City, New York
- Digital Advertising Specialist – Deksia
- Customer Success Manager – DealerOn
- Sales Executive– Zillow Group
- Media Buyer/CRM Planner – Lake Michigan Credit Union
Attend Events
Career Community- Communication & the Arts
GVSU Fall 2026 Career and Internship Fair
October 13, 2026 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Fall Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni of...
Graduate School Fair 2026
October 21, 2026 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Explore your future at the annual GVSU Graduate School Fair hosted by the GVSU Career Center on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 12pm - 2pm in the Henry Hall Atrium on the Allendale...
State of Michigan Information Session & Networking Event
October 28, 2026 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Did you know the State of Michigan is the largest employer in the state? And did you know that applying for a position with the State of Michigan can look a little different from a typical job application? Join...
Community, Connections, and Careers in Northern Michigan
October 29, 2026 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Connect with leading employers from the greater Traverse City area to explore internships, entry-level positions, and career opportunities across a variety of industries. Learn what makes Northern...
Consider joining the Communication and the Arts Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
Students with an Ad/PR degree may continue on to a graduate program. Here are some examples of programs students have pursued:
- Master of Arts in Advertising
- Master of Arts in Strategic Communication
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Arts in Public Relations
Discover More
Join a career community
Watch videos of professionals in this field
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Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.