What It’s Like to Work for The Ad Club of NY for a Semester

By Sydney Pomeranz, Advertising senior

UF Online student Sydney Pomeranz participated in CJCxNYC Immersive Fall 2024. 

As an Advertising major at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to work with a prestigious advertising organization while still in school — but here I am, living that dream.

This fall, I had the privilege of participating in CJCxNYC, an incredible program that immerses students in the fast-paced, dynamic world of New York City. Throughout the semester, we had the chance to visit some of the top PR and ad agencies, as well as major corporations like LinkedIn and Google, where we attended insightful meetings and workshops. In addition to these enriching experiences, we were divided into small teams and given the unique opportunity to work for the Ad Club of New York in a role similar to an intern.

One of the most exciting, yet challenging, aspects of our assignment was collaborating with the Ad Club’s Fellowship program. Each year, the Ad Club selects a new cohort of women to join its fellowship, and as part of our project, we were tasked with interviewing each of them and writing personalized bios to feature on its blog. To showcase these incredible women was a thrilling responsibility and professional opportunity.

Diving Into the Work 

At the beginning of the semester, we had the opportunity to sit down with key professionals from the Ad Club, including Foundation Coordinator Nia Sanders and Foundation Director Madhu Malhan, who provided valuable insights and guidance to succeed in our projects. We strategized ways to conduct the interviews and worked on a guide of questions to ask the Fellows. It was crucial to prioritize showcasing their unique qualities in order to best establish an authentic connection with the audience.

Attending Our First Event

We were fortunate enough to be invited to an exclusive event at Meta for Hispanic Heritage Month, which turned out to be a pivotal moment in our project. Not only was it our first industry event, but it also marked the first official gathering for the new Ad Club Fellows.

The evening was a unique blend of networking and celebration. We mingled with industry professionals, watched the foundation present awards to leaders in the advertising world and began conducting some of our interviews in-person. It was an exciting opportunity to put faces to names and immerse ourselves in the professional atmosphere, all while gaining invaluable insights from both the fellows and the seasoned professionals in attendance.

Developing the Bios and Building a Presentation 

Writing these in-depth and creative bios was truly a rewarding challenge. The goal was to go beyond simply listing accomplishments. We wanted to capture the essence of each fellow — highlighting their personalities, strengths and unique journeys.

To do this, we focused on building genuine connections with each of them during our interviews. We asked intentional, open-ended questions that allowed them to share their stories and reflect on their personal and professional paths. We wanted these bios to tell a story that felt authentic, engaging and inspiring.

We focused on weaving together each fellow’s professional experiences with their values and passions. For example, one fellow shared how she empowers indigenous people in advertising. Another highlighted how her passion for film and writing informed her approach to leadership. These stories aren’t just about their accomplishments, but also about who they are as people.

Excerpts 

Here’s an excerpt from one of the bios:

“One of Cashman’s significant contributions was playing a crucial role in the establishment of Amazon’s first warehouse in Hawaii, a project that highlights her dedication to bridging the gap between corporate America and the needs of indigenous communities.” 

To keep the tone fresh and engaging, I infused each bio with a touch of creativity true to the individual’s voice. In balancing professionalism with personality, I made each bio informative and memorable, allowing the fellows’ unique qualities to shine through.

Here’s an example of how I captured another fellow’s personality:

“Currently, as a social strategist at Dentsu Creative, Janel collaborates with diverse teams to develop and guide social strategies for a variety of clients. She thrives in brainstorming sessions, always prioritizing a positive atmosphere where every team member feels heard and valued.” 

Ultimately, the process of crafting these bios was a deeply collaborative one, and through our commitment to understanding each fellow’s story, we created profiles that were reflective and dynamic, showcasing both impressive skills and personal journeys and passions.

We received wonderful feedback from the directors and the fellows, which was very uplifting for us as entry-level professionals. Some of the fellows even mentioned using their bios for their LinkedIn profiles! This rewarding, transformative experience offered a real-world glimpse into the advertising industry at its highest level, and I am truly so thankful for the CJCxNYC program.

Check out all of the fellow bios here:

https://www.theadvertisingclub.org/2024-2025-womens-fellowship/?classic-editor

Posted: January 9, 2025
Category: CJCxNYC Blogs
Tagged as: CJCxNYC, Sydney Pomeranz