| What to look for in a top advertising program | | | | chosen career. It should encourage the candidate to |
| Advertising is an integral part of today’s society; | | | | be both creative and business-minded, with an |
| it is effectively the channel via which companies | | | | understanding that both are necessary to succeed in |
| communicate their product to customers. In earning | | | | this industry. The program should encourage team |
| a place with a top advertising program the student is | | | | projects, allowing the student to develop |
| essentially paving his/her way to a successful career | | | | presentation, written and creative skills in the safe |
| in an exciting, fast-paced industry. | | | | environment of the classroom. Feedback should be |
| Top advertising programs look to develop both a | | | | offered on all work completed in the classroom; |
| candidate’s creativity and commercial acumen. | | | | constructive criticism ensures the student recognises |
| There is no one ‘type’ of student suited to | | | | their strengths and weaknesses, and furthermore |
| a career in advertising, and the top programs make a | | | | gives them the opportunity to improve under the |
| point of developing team-playing skills because of the | | | | guidance of experts from the field. |
| wide ranging skill-set necessary to the job. The best | | | | A good program will also ensure that the candidate |
| advertising programs will offer the students a chance | | | | has the opportunity to network and begin the |
| to work in a ‘real-life’ situation - for a client - | | | | connection-making process early on. If the student is |
| in order to a) develop the acquired skills, but also b) | | | | able to make contacts whilst on the program, he or |
| to ensure the students are confronted with | | | | she stands a greater chance of success upon |
| ‘real-life’ business problems. Once the | | | | completion. Other areas that the student may want |
| candidate has completed the classroom element of | | | | to consider are computer skills; software that will |
| the course, the top programs will offer guidance on | | | | make he/she stand out from his/her colleagues. The |
| an individual’s next steps. These institutions | | | | top programs have these extra-curricular activities |
| recognise that support is as important after | | | | available to the students, and tutors actively |
| completion, as it is in the duration. | | | | encourage the attendance of such activities. |
| Are you motivated, hard-working, ambitious? A top | | | | A career in advertising offers such variety: for |
| advertising program is your next step. A student | | | | example a managerial role in sales, PR, or marketing. |
| serious about a career in advertising should really be | | | | Market research and product development are other |
| looking to earn a place with one of the top | | | | positions available to the student. The list of possible |
| programs, but it is often a confusing process and | | | | careers is extensive and with a qualification from a |
| potential candidates are unsure of what to look for in | | | | top advertising program under the graduate’s |
| such a program. Most importantly, the institution must | | | | belt, the world of advertising is an exciting one. |
| be up-to-date; advertising is changing everyday and | | | | Advertising is a dynamic industry, and with the top |
| unless the school can offer real-time advertising | | | | advertising programs on board, it’s looking set to |
| know-how, the candidate is unlikely to flourish in their | | | | reach new dizzy heights. |