Advertising/Public Relations Career Guide

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Consider joining the Communication and the Arts Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!

Past Internship Sites:

  • Townsquare Media
  • 8ThirtyFour Design
  • Quicken Loans
  • Experience Grand Rapids
  • ACS Home and Work
  • Meijer Corporation
  • Murdoch Marketing
  • GVSU Alumni Relations
  • Forest Preserve District of Kane County
  • Monarch Investment and Management Group

Where Alumni Have Landed

  • Freelance Graphic Designer – New York City, New York
  • Academic Advisor – Grand Valley State University
  • Digital Advertising Specialist – Deksia
  • Customer Success Manager – DealerOn
  • Social Media Coordinator – Resurrection Life Church
  • Assistant Golf Professional – Petoskey-Bay View Country Club
  • Sales Executive– Zillow Group
  • Assistant Event Manager – Gilmore Catering
  • Service Advocate– Farmers Insurance
  • Media Buyer/CRM Planner – Lake Michigan Credit Union
  • Assistant Account Executive – Seyferth PR
  • Art Director – Extra Credit Projects
  • Collections Specialist – Fifth Third Bank
  • Catering Coordinator – Aramark
  • Assistant Director of Greek Life and Student Organizations – Albion College
  • Zone Director – Steelcase
  • Marketing Lead – Trotec Laser, Inc.
  • Recruiter – ManpowerGroup
  • Media Management & Marketing – Alive Media, LLC
  • Administrative Assistant to the Principal – East Grand Rapids Public Schools

Ad/PR spotlights

Kristina Green '12 Spotlight

Kristina Green '12

My favorite GVSU memory was when I was named the West Michigan Public Relations Society of America's 'PR Student of the Year.

Katrina Begrow '18 Spotlight

Katrina Begrow '18

My favorite memory was my final presentation for my Advertising Capstone. My group gave a FLAWLESS presentation to our clients. I never felt more on top of my game than at that moment. I was so proud of myself and my group.

Tim O'Dea '19 Spotlight

Tim O'Dea '19

Enjoying all the festivities of Welcome Week or being able to attend the final Toast with T. Haas!

View More Ad/PR spotlights


Student Organizations to Consider

  • International Advertising Association
  • GVSU Ad Club Facebook Group, Page & Twitter Feed
  • American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
  • American Marketing Association
  • Organization for Professional WRiters
  • Professionals Sales Association
  • Writer’s Club
  • PRSSA, PRSA, GVSU PRSSA, GVSU PRSSA Blog
  • Ad Club
  • Grand PR
  • Superior Awards
  • American Advertising Federation
  • Advertising Educational Foundation
  • Interactive Advertising Bureau

Study Abroad Programs

As a future graduate with an Advertising and Public Relations major or minor degree, you will be confronting global issues and will work in internationally-operated companies. "Wake up and face the earth!" T. Friedman advised us in his bestseller ‘The World is Flat’. 


Develop some of these technical and professional competencies to be successful:

  • Professional writing/content creation across mediums
  • Active listening skills
  • Presentation and public speaking
  • Market research skills
  • Creativity
  • Technical skills such as Adobe Creative Suite, Excel, Google Analytics, SEO
  • Client relations/negotiations
  • Social media management

Graduate & Professional Programs


Additional Resources

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Page last modified December 12, 2022