The third week of November 2024 was an inspiring time for a select group of LSU mass communication students.
The AdFed club within the Manship School collaborates with the American Advertising Federation (AAF) to promote and foster the passion of advertising in the minds of students. Throughout the semester, local agencies and guest speakers are featured for these young minds to grasp the life of the industry that’s in their own backyards.
Every fall semester, the AAF organizes a trip that brings together students from universities across the country to explore a different city and its advertising opportunities. This year, New York City was prepared to welcome these college students, and I was lucky enough to be selected to attend. Manship professors geared up and prepared us to take on the Big Apple.
Our adventure began with a visit to Times Square on the first evening. For digital advertising majors, it felt like the pinnacle of the industry. Seeing the towering digital displays reaching millions of people was awe-inspiring — proof of the incredible impact advertising can have.
We visited ROKT on the second day, an advertising agency where two LSU alumni graciously invited us to tour. This was our first look into the day-to-day operations of an agency. From human resources to graphic design, ROKT offered a glimpse into the wide variety of roles available in the industry. The welcoming environment and enthusiastic team left us feeling optimistic about the possibilities.
Afterward, we explored Chelsea near the Hudson River and Pier 57 before heading to Lippe Taylor, another agency that shared valuable insights into its work and culture.
Thursday marked the start of the AAF Conference. We spent the day navigating the city and visiting notable agencies and organizations, including NPR, OMD and Sony Music Group. The week’s tours showcased not only advertising agencies but also companies offering diverse career paths within the marketing and communication fields.
After the agency visits ended early, we had the opportunity to explore New York City on our own. Some students visited the Metropolitan Museum of Art, while others went ice-skating at Rockefeller Center. A group of us managed to snag tickets to see the Broadway production “Hadestown” featuring Jordan Fisher. Watching him portray Orpheus was a magical experience and made my first Broadway play unforgettable.
The week concluded with a final AAF conference session, where agencies pitched a variety of job opportunities and shared advice about the wide range of careers available to our majors. The activities mirrored concepts we study in our classes, providing a hands-on connection to the industry. Afterward, company representatives stayed to answer questions and facilitate networking opportunities.
As we bid farewell to New York City and returned to Baton Rouge, I reflected on how transformative this trip was. Gaining a firsthand understanding of the marketing industry and seeing life in a bustling city was invaluable.
If you’re unsure about your major or curious about new opportunities, I highly recommend exploring the Manship School. The variety of paths within mass communication, combined with the unmatched support of its professors, is truly remarkable. Experiencing the contrast between Baton Rouge and New York City has left me feeling confident and excited about my future in the advertising industry, all thanks to LSU.
