What the Heck is Advertising? Workshop Review

Johnny Zhang

As a freshman in the Advertising Department, I often find myself frustrated by just how little I
am confident in, well, advertising. Having taken an introductory course on the profession (ADV
150) last semester, many questions I had before have now been answered.

Still, a lot more questions have also been raised. I would often encounter advertising-related
questions in life, to which people conveniently assume that I know the answers.

Fortunately, RSVP read my mind. RSVP is AAF’s event planning committee and has a reputation
for organizing some of the most worthwhile workshops on campus. You would agree with me if
you went to RSVP’s “What the Heck is Advertising?” workshop, held in Gregory Hall on Feb. 13.

Kira Bolos, RSVP’s VP, delivered a presentation that provided an in-depth overview of the
industry. The presentation started with introduction to most advertising positions one can hold
in an agency. What especially engaged Kira’s audience was the slides also included tips for students who might plan to apply for the corresponding internship positions. For example, this
covered what skill sets each position required, and the AAF committees that are most likely
going to develop those necessary skills.

Kira proceeded to suggest the outlets through which college students have a decent
opportunity to hunt down jobs. Coming from RSVP members who have plenty of internship
application experiences, these suggestions were of genuineness and credibility.

It is always the details that show how much someone really cares. Being aware of the possibility
of non-advertising majors coming to the workshop, RSVP members made sure that all industry
terminologies were explained.

These efforts paid off, too — everyone who attended the event obtained knowledge they went for. I certainly learned a ton, and I am now capable of answering quite a few “dumb questions” about advertising from people. That being said, I sincerely hope RSVP keeps up their aspiring work.