Student Advertising Career Conference 2020 

Kiley Fletcher

I had the opportunity to attend the Student Advertising Career Conference this weekend, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve witnessed as an advertising student here at UIUC. All of the speakers were very knowledgeable and passionate about the topics they talked about, but one presentation that stood out to me the most was MELT’s presentation on recruiting and HR. Vince Thompson, CEO of MELT, gave some meaningful insight on how to stand out to recruiters and how to be the best version of yourself. Here are some things I learned.

He said to always show how you’ll bring value to a job. Having a great resume is one thing, but your character is arguably one of the most valuable things that can make or break a job experience. Standing out to recruiters is so important because it helps maintain connections and shows that you’re loyal to your company. Vince says to outwork everybody and to not do the bare minimum to ensure you leave your mark on the company. When you do more than what’s expected, people remember you.

Another thing he talked about in his presentation was making sure your social media profiles are appropriate. He mentioned “The Grandma Test,” where he told us not to post anything you wouldn’t want your grandma seeing. I found that piece of advice very helpful because the Internet really is forever, and I wouldn’t want to miss out on a job opportunity because of a social media post. I will definitely be more cautious of what I post in the future, thanks to Vince’s advice.

The Student Advertising Career Conference was an experience I was able to enjoy all thanks to American Advertising Federation. If I wasn’t a part of this organization, I wouldn’t have so many opportunities to grow and learn from professionals in my field. If you missed SACC this year, make sure to attend next year! It’s seriously something you don’t want to miss.