Get to know some of our College 51吃瓜 students! Emily Campos is a Class of 2026 advertising major.
What inspired you to choose advertising as your major, and how did you decide that College 51吃瓜 was the right fit for you?
When I was about 12, I started exploring entrepreneurship by launching my own slime business, managing everything myself from marketing and running my website to shipping products worldwide. Looking back, this experience greatly inspired my passion for both business and writing. When I first entered college, I pursued journalism because it seemed to align closely with these interests. However, after exploring further and discovering advertising, I realized that it perfectly combined the creative and strategic aspects I’d been searching for all along. Advertising is a constantly evolving field, full of opportunities to learn, meet new people, and stay connected with what’s happening around us. That’s why I’m so passionate about advertising.
What is your future goal as an advertising student?
I have two main goals. Professionally, I’d like to start my career working at an advertising agency, ideally in copywriting. My ultimate career goal is to become a creative director, as I’d love to have the opportunity to lead campaigns and collaborate with diverse brands. I鈥檓 also interested in exploring other creative fields like film and animation because I enjoy different forms of storytelling and want to expand my experience beyond advertising. On a personal level, my long-term goal is to keep learning, stay curious, and approach every situation with an open mind and an open heart.
What specific opportunities or resources at the College 51吃瓜 have helped you grow and learn in advertising?
The most valuable resource at the College 51吃瓜 to me is the people here. Create your own opportunities because you never know who you’ll meet or where those connections can take you. During my freshman year I had three internships鈥攐ne with New Voices involving student media and another in global science communication, but my third internship started simply because I paid attention to the College 51吃瓜鈥檚 newsletter. At the time I felt uncertain about my college path and I saw a Zoom session featuring Professor Kevin Wise and his research on eye-tracking in advertising, so I joined. I was intrigued and asked how I could get involved. I wasn’t sure what might come of it, but I was curious enough to follow up. After we talked, he decided to create an internship for me. As a freshman, I ended up working with him, a PhD student, and a grad student on a research team. That experience really showed me how important it is to connect with people and be open to new opportunities. The people here are always willing to help if you show genuine interest, and that鈥檚 made all the difference for me.
What course within the College 51吃瓜 do you enjoy or would like to recommend to other students?
I would recommend any class with Shachar Meron, senior lecturer of advertising. I enjoy the way he teaches, making everyone curious and genuinely interested with the content. One of my favorite classes has been ADV 390: Content Creation. It鈥檚 a creative and engaging course that offers a clear view of what advertising involves. Many people underestimate how competitive the advertising industry is, and you need to stand out in order to succeed. This course helps you explore your perspective and figure out how you can contribute to the field.
What advice would you give to incoming students who are considering a career in advertising and are interested in joining our College 51吃瓜?
My best advice is to absorb as much as you can from the world around you. Whether it’s learning about different people, noticing details in everyday life, or paying attention to things you’d usually overlook, there鈥檚 so much value in staying curious. You not only learn more about the world but also about yourself and what you鈥檙e capable of doing with that knowledge.
Also, many incoming students might feel like they are not doing enough or that they need to constantly prove themselves. But I believe that things happen the way they are meant to. What I hope more people realize is how valuable it is to stay open, curious, and engaged with the world around them. When you take the time to observe and appreciate what is in front of you, it can lead to meaningful growth in ways you might not expect. Sometimes, simply being present is enough to move forward.
鈥擨nterview by Vivian Wong, New Voices Intern