AAF 150: Intro to Advertising

Left: AAF Faculty Advisor Steve Hall talks to the chapter at the Fall General Meeting. Right: AAF Executive Board members Annee Mattson (left) and Catherine Arreazola (right) welcome newcomers to the Fall General Meeting.

Each new year in the AAF brings new opportunities, new clients, and, most importantly, new members. I am a new member, myself, in the AAF after spending my freshman year clueless and undeclared aimlessly taking classes in every topic possible to try and evoke an epiphany. This year, I finally had that long awaited epiphany in my ADV 150: Intro to Advertising class, and decided to join the AAF to explore the advertising field deeper. 

After speaking with a few new members to the AAF, I found that the common denominator in joining the organization is being able to get a taste for what working in the advertising field professionally might be like. This factor was true for new AAF member Selena Adetunji.

“I hope I learn new skills in all aspects of advertising,” Adetunji began, “whether it’s from the strategy side or the creative [side].” Another new member, Emily Salinas, vocalized similar sentiments about the AAF.

“I [am] able to explore all AAF [has] to offer and narrow down what agencies I [want] to work with,” Salinas explained. 

All the agencies within the AAF were a big draw for new members as well. Each agency targets different clients and offers a variety of services. The two weeks after the first general meeting of the AAF is meant to be an opportunity for members (new and old) to attend various agency meetings and decide which one(s) best suits their interests.

I asked Adetunji about her experience during those two exploratory weeks, and she commented that she found it “a little overwhelming, but, as the semester progresses, I’m sure I will get the hang of it.” 

Returning member Aliya Gilley offered advice for new members like Adetunji who may feel overwhelmed with abundance. 

“If you aren’t sure what you want, try everything!” Gilley advises, “...and don’t be afraid to reach out to others whether it be professionally or socially!” 

Gilley has been a member of the AAF at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for about a year and a half now, and she credits a lot of the experience she has gotten in advertising to the AAF.

“Through the AAF, I have gotten really substantial experience in advertising (as well as in general working in a team),” Gilley praises, “I have made networking connections as well as great lifelong friends!” 

This past week was the official first week of agency meetings, and members were introduced to the teams and clients they will be working with throughout the year. It is an exciting time for all new and old members, because of all the opportunities and experiences that have yet to be discovered. I hope that my time in the AAF this year confirms my decision that pursuing advertising is the right choice for me like it has been for all the advertising students in the AAF.