Camtastic Newsletter December 2024

‘It’s not out of reach’: SIU AdLab Students Explore New York’s Advertising World 
By Journey Short
SIU School of Journalism and Advertising
 
A group of aspiring advertisers from Southern Illinois University Carbondale took on the Big Apple in mid-November, soaking in a Broadway show, joining the audience of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” dining with alums, and discovering that New York City is within reach if they are determined enough. "The top thing I learned is that it's possible and accessible, and it is not out of reach to go to a big agency and be in the city, if you work really hard," said Mea Roedell, a senior in the School of Journalism and Advertising. “It doesn't matter if it's New York -- I think you can be successful in advertising anywhere -- but New York City was definitely inspiring. The energy that it gave us motivated everyone to push even further and open our brains even more and learn more and grow. It was really, really exciting." 
Audrey Dowland, a sophomore majoring in business and minoring in advertising, said the group met with alums who had gone on to start successful ad agencies in the city – a trip highlight for her. "They were [at SIU] in the 70s and 80s, and we got to go to one of their ad agencies and then to dinner with them afterward," Dowland said. 
One of the individuals grew up in the Metro East area, which was near to where Dowland was raised. "His drive was really inspiring, and hearing his insights into the agency, it was kind of like a shock to me – he could do it and he made it," she said. 
It is precisely the kind of connection and "ah-ha" moment that drives Saluki AdLab Faculty Advisor Bridget Lescelius to make the trip to New York with her students year after year. Students have an opportunity to explore the city's vibrant culture, but she also hopes the people they meet along the way inspire them. 
At the taping of "Stephen Colbert's Late-Night Show," students experienced a behind-the-scenes look at the production. They later basked in the magic of Broadway with a performance of "& Juliet" and, of course, visited the iconic Statue of Liberty.
Beyond the city's famous landmarks, AdLab students participated in the AAF-organized Student Advertising Career Conference, an event that has proven invaluable to past attendees who have since built successful careers. 
The conference also allowed students to make connections and build networks from all over. Alexis Moore, a sophomore in the School of Art and Design, minoring in advertising, said it was one of the trip's bright spots. "We had to do this creative challenge when we were there. And we were able to form a group – it was like 17 or 18 of us – and we got to meet kids from South Dakota, New York, and a girl from Utah," she said. "I thought it was just really cool because we got to hear about their schools and about their educational processes and what they want to get into." 
Moore also noted the importance of New York's advertising landscape: "A majority of companies have offices in other states, but their headquarters are in New York City. I mean, Times Square is like a prime example; it's the 'capital' of Advertising, you walk in there and it's just, like, everything is in your face." 
A vital part of the trip's success was the unwavering support students received from their teacher, Lescelius. Roedell credited Lescelius with inspiring her to pursue the trip in the first place. 
"I think Bridget was instrumental for this entire AdLab. Me, I didn't even know that advertising was a thing. Bridget has really helped this advertising specialization and gotten students to where they are now,” she said. “Bridget's support and push has been so helpful. I don't think without her I would do any of this and be able to get to New York City and see the things that I saw and talk to the people that I connected with. Bridget is the best person ever!"