4 Tips to Survive and Thrive as an Ad/PR Major

Written by: Deborah Bello

Interning, networking, studying, repeat. The Ad/PR industry is a competitive space, and as aspiring professionals, we often find ourselves stuck in a monotonous cycle of chasing the next big thing. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have goals and create systems that work. Surely interning, networking and studying put you in a great position for graduation. However, between all those things is the golden thread of your college experience. I learnt early on that doing this or that to simply check a box is very different from doing things with intention and meaning. Here are my top four tips for thriving (not just surviving) as an Ad/PR major.

Do you know your professor…like, actually?

Maybe you’ve never thought of going to your professor’s office hours to get to know them better. That’s okay! We’re all busy and get caught up with our own responsibilities. However, your professors have a wealth of insight that can guide you as you navigate the industry as an early professional. Some of the best pieces of advice I’ve received were from the office hours of Gabby Jarmoszko and Lindsay Hudock. Leaning on your professors not only for teaching but also for support and perspective is a great way to grow. 

Don’t let a lack of experience stop you from getting experience 

Many times, as students, we deny ourselves a chance at golden opportunities simply because we believe we don’t have the experience to match up. Well, I’m here to tell you that if you have the heart and passion for a job or internship, you can most certainly get it. Yes, experience is a factor. However, it shouldn’t be a limiting factor. Doing your part to equip yourself for a role will allow you to position yourself as someone who is not only capable but also teachable. Experience does not always qualify you for a position, but having the right mindset and attitude can certainly open up dream opportunities.  

Document key information or advice

It’s surprisingly easy to lose all the golden nuggets of information you’ve learned once the semester ends. You can fill pages and pages with notes, but if you’re not revisiting them consistently, they lose their value. That’s why I recommend creating a “bank” of advice, which is somewhere you intentionally store the most meaningful insights you’ve received. This could be as simple as a Google Doc or a notebook where you collect the most impactful pieces of advice from your college journey. 

While it might feel overwhelming to start after several years, it’s completely doable if you begin at the end of each semester. Take time to reflect on your interactions with peers, professors, employers, and university staff, and identify any standout moments or guidance that shaped your thinking.

By doing this, you create a personal resource you can return to whenever you feel uncertain about your next step. It not only helps refresh your memory but also keeps you grounded in the lessons that can continue to guide and strengthen your career.

Care about who is sitting next to you

Yes, you heard me right. You should absolutely care about who’s sitting next to you. The people in your classes today are tomorrow’s industry leaders and game changers. That doesn’t mean you should approach relationships purely for personal gain, but it does mean that building genuine connections matters more than you might think.

Leaving college without knowing at least a few classmates by name, people you’ve shared experiences with, can put you at a real disadvantage when starting your career. I get it, though. Striking up conversations with people you’ve never met can feel intimidating, especially in a classroom setting. But as an Ad/PR major, you actually have a built-in advantage with group projects and team-based activities being integrated into the curriculum. Take full advantage of this!