Guest written by Marisa Farris, Marketing Major with emphasis in Advertising and Promotions, Minor in Communications, Graduating May 2015

Public Relations and Media Food Practice Intern at Noble Communications in Springfield, MO

Your college undergrad is the perfect time for you to develop yourself into a marketable individual. Be a sponge and absorb as much information as possible so that you can be an asset to your future employer. We all have one thing in common—we want a job when we graduate. Yet, those who take extra steps before graduation are the ones who come out on top. Being proactive in your job search is imperative to finding a job when you graduate.

A job search doesn’t just entail applying for jobs; it requires much more thought and strategy. Utilize your surroundings and make connections. It is imperative to develop relationships with your teachers and network with industry professionals through organizations offered on campus. Getting involved is the best thing I could do for myself. Ultimately, this is how I landed my internship at Noble Communications.

I was seeking an internship to ensure I had agency experience on my résumé. However, my experience at Noble has gone much further than my résumé or LinkedIn page. Noble has been game-changing to my career. I have had the opportunity to work with some of the top Fortune 500 Foodservice companies, such as Smucker’s, Ventura, and MARS. I offer executive support with public relation work, e.g., press releases, event planning, etc., and also media buying, e.g., purchasing ad placements in foodservice magazines, etc. Noble has given me the opportunity to “test-run” my career choice. That has been the greatest thing that I will be able to walk away with—real world experience.

I have noticed, especially with my Noble interview, that recruiters see passion first. I am inspired everyday by the people I work with and the work they create. They are passionate about what they do and genuinely love their jobs. Every day is a new adventure. My internship has only helped in validating my love and desire for the advertising industry. I will be continuing my internship through the school year and hope to stay until I graduate in May 2015.