Why Study Marketing at Columbia

As a student majoring in Marketing Communication at Columbia College, you will be “cross-trained” in the basics of Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations. We have found that this cross-training will make you more desirable as a "hire" in the marketing communications field, where professionals want well-rounded employees who have integrated knowledge as well as the skills in their specialized concentrations.

Unlike most post-secondary institutions, it is normal to begin taking these classes your freshmen year. By the end of sophomore year, students have a good idea of which marketing communication concentration they would like to focus on; marketing, public relations, advertising.

What are some classes the Marketing Communication Department at Columbia College offers?

You can see a full course catalog and what you should be expecting to take in the Marketing Communication Department here and you can plan out your course experience at Columbia here.

Global Marketing
(54-3535)

A course that investigates the ways marketers adapt or redesign their product, packaging, price determination, and distribution for diverse markets throughout the world. Students will explore the local differences, including culture, economy, politics, and geography, that must be factored into any global marketing initiative.

Copywriter/Art Director Team
(54-3603)

Offered jointly by the Art & Design Department and the Marketing Communication Department, this course teaches students to work in copywriter/art director teams to develop advertising campaigns. Reflecting standard advertising agency practice, this course sensitizes students to the interdisciplinary nature of the creative process.

Niche Communication (54-2805)

This Marketing Communication elective combines the best of public relations and advertising practices. Students work with real clients to develop a campaign, including strategies and tactics that use social media to target a small, specialized audience.  Some of our clients include people (celebrity clients), places (City of Vancouver, BC, Canada) and things (consumer products). Subjects rotate, but you can be sure whatever the topic, the approach and tactics you learn will equip you to hit the ground running in a real world communication business.

What kind of Marketing experience does the faculty have outside of the classroom?

The full-time faculty teachers are all former professionals who worked in the fields of marketing, public relations, and advertising. They continue their innovation within these fields through research and private consulting. Our part-time faculty members are still working in these fields professionally or have for many years. To find out more information on our faculty we invite you to take a look at our Faculty Spotlight page as well as our Faculty & Staff Information page.

How can I become involved with the Marketing Communication Department before I start school?

You’ve already taken the first step by coming to our website! There are some different ways you can learn about the department and become more involved. Once you are accepted to Columbia College Chicago, you will have the ability to sign up for orientation. Before that even happens you are invited to join us for our Open House, where you have the ability to ask and meet faculty members as well as students (past and present) about the Marketing Communication Department program and get tips for success in and outside of the classroom.

We also have a newsletter, Buzz, that will allow you to learn more about the culture of our department. Come and check out one of our latest publications The Journal of Need and Want.

When / How long are classes?

Classes are normally 3 hours long… ONCE a week. This allows for a 2-3 day school week with flexible time to load your resume up with work and/or dream internship experiences!

What can I expect during finals week?

Course finals are normally made up of a test and/or a project. Projects usually include portfolio pieces, group or individual presentations, campaign presentations, a paper etc.

What kind of events can students attend within the Marketing Communication Department?

We have four clubs within the department that put on events year round including Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), American Advertising Federation (AAF), Columbia College American Marketing Association (CCAMA), and the Sports Marketing Club. The department also puts on events including Ad Autopsy and brings in speakers from various marketing communication backgrounds. Our events encourage discussion to create an interactive learning environment for both students and those within the Columbia College Chicago community.

To see some past events we encourage you to visit our YouTube channel as well as our Facebook group.

I’m interested in studying abroad, what programs does the department have to offer? Where can I travel?

We understand that students want to travel around the world and we offer courses on Global Marketing in Prague, Czech Republic. Students will work with Beans, a DRAFTFCB affiliate in Prague. To find out more about this program, click here.

Another program we have offered is Semester in Los Angeles (SiLA). Students get the chance to travel to LA to study on a working facility in a Hollywood studio. You get real-world experience in the entertainment industry before graduation. To find out more about this program, click here.

The college also offers study abroad programs through the International Programs department. To find out more information on these programs, you can access their website by clicking here.

How do I get an internship? How soon should I get an internship, and why should I get an internship?

The marketing communications department suggests students get their first for-credit internship during their sophomore year of college. In the marketing communication department we have an internship coordinator that will work with you to find your ideal internship. An internship will help you gain experience and determine if a particular career matches your abilities and interests. Another great reason to get an internship is that more and more employers are seeking students who have taken internships because they believe those students will not only have experience but also a better understanding of the workplace environment.

When you become a student at Columbia, you also have the access to our exclusive Twitter feed which updates regularly with new internship opportunities.

What will I be able to show to potential employers when I graduate if I am not a graphic designer?

In several Marketing Communication classes, students work in teams taking on different tasks of a marketing challenge. If graphic design is not one student’s strength, there are many other aspects of marketing that can be shown in a portfolio such as multimedia presentations, writing samples (very important in the PR world), and other materials from presentations. By the end of freshmen year, it is likely you will already have the beginnings of a portfolio. You will get the chance to work with the Portfolio Center here at Columbia in order to make a professional quality portfolio to use for snagging internships and jobs while in school, as well as post-graduation.

How can I use the information I learn in my Marketing classes in my future career even if I don’t end up in a marketing role?

The skills you acquire at Columbia are sought after by most businesses and companies. Every class you take here is a chance to hone your critical thinking, problem solving, organizational and communication abilities. With most instructors still working in the marketing field, concepts and technologies are current and relate to many industries. When you graduate with a degree in Marketing Communication you are taking away, not just a piece of paper, but also a set of skills that will benefit you for a lifetime.