Temple University graduating seniors, recent graduates and employers crowded the Howard Gittis Student Center on Tuesday, April 30, to take part in the Senior Showcase, a reverse job fair hosted by Klein College of Media and Communication for advertising and public relations graduating seniors in the hopes of networking with industry professionals. It allowed students to share their works, portfolios, case studies and network with employers. 

“It is one of the best days of the year to reconnect with students I may have taught and stop by their table to see how far they have come in their years at Temple,” said Kathy Mueller, associate professor and chair of the Department of Advertising and Public Relations, who founded Klein’s Advertising and Public Relations Senior Showcase in 2015.  

Approximately 90% of Klein College graduates secure full-time employment within six months post-graduation. Klein College’s advertising and public relations curriculum includes courses in leadership; crisis communications; account management; art direction; brand strategy; and research, copywriting and media planning —all of which advance a student’s creative-thinking skills.  

“Our students have specialized knowledge in advertising and public relations niches that map to professional roles, and this event is good practice work for the types of conversations they will have on job interviews,” said Mueller.  

With more than 100 students and employers in attendance, seniors perfected their elevator pitches and built relationships with potential employers. 

“It prepares students to get face time with different agencies, nonprofits and companies in Philadelphia and the surrounding area,” added Stacey Harpster, assistant professor of instruction at Klein. “We advise students to have their LinkedIn profiles up to date with professional headshots, develop their elevator pitches and consider the strengths that make them unique candidates.”  

LeiLani Leaston, a public relations major, was one of the students in attendance. She shared with employers her interest in social media campaigns and intern experience elevating marketing messages for the Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies during an internship at NBC Sports Philadelphia. 

“This reverse job fair allows us to display our skills and accomplishments to employers but also show our personality so they can remember us when we follow up with them after the event,” said Leaston, an aspiring sports agent.  

“Temple professors gave assignments to make us think critically about strategies utilized in the advertising workplace,” she added. “For example, I learned skills in writing, social media analytics and email marketing. I also got hands-on experience working with clients and event planning that I shared with employers.”   

Photo caption: LeiLani Leaston worked on building the Senior Showcase’s Camp Klein theme, including the naming, branding, designing, email marketing, social media marketing and website. (Photography by Joseph V. Labolito)  

Another participant, Ryan O’Doherty, was in attendance and looking to build off what has already been an impressive start to his advertising career. He previously did an internship at the Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance, which he attained through Klein Connect, an internship and job portal available for Temple students. 

“The skills I gained in writing classes and research from account management and ad campaigns stood out to the employers I spoke with,” said O’Doherty, a brand strategy major. “It’s a great event to display your proudest accomplishments and connect one-on-one with employers.”  

Representatives from companies like Digitas Health were impressed by Temple’s advertising and public relations students. Paige Montes, KLN ’15, a copy supervisor at Digitas, was excited about the experience. 

“It’s important to foster talent in person so we can offer advice and take the time to invest in their careers. Seeing them in person also helps with building a diverse workplace,” said Montes. “I get excited seeing many of the students’ portfolios personalities that demonstrate they can be trained on the job. It gives me confidence knowing that I can then go to my company say, 'Hey, we should really consider hiring them.'” 

“It’s unique that Temple has a specific advertising program. I’ve met students who made sure to study both strategy and design or writing,” they added. “When talking to an employer it is important to identify a problem, how you will solve it, and I think Temple students are uniquely equipped to talk about that.”  

Another employer representative expressed a similar sentiment regarding both the diversity of advertising students and how prepared they are for careers.  

“One student on the brand strategy track shared some interesting insights, presenting a full deep dive strategy project for Rita’s water ice,” added Julia Ostrovsky, KLN ’19, senior marketing specialist and brand strategist at Victoria’s Secret. 

“The advertising skills I learned at Temple led to my career progression, so seeing how prepared the students are and their energy when presenting their work shows their passion and ambition. Their drive to go above and beyond in their internships and portfolios speaks for itself.”  

View the website of Temple’s advertising and public relations graduating seniors at templeseniorshowcase.com.