Maria Emilia Mancero

What led you to your decision to major in advertising at Illinois?

I’ve always been artistically inclined, so I knew I wanted to major in something where I could still be creative. Advertising checked all those boxes for me. Once I realized that was the path I wanted to pursue, I started searching for schools that offered strong advertising programs.

Illinois immediately stood out to me because it has the oldest advertising program in the country, and as someone from Chicago, I liked that it was still relatively close to home. I also liked that the curriculum felt more specialized. It includes a lot of creativity but still gives students the flexibility to shape the major around their own interests. That was reassuring for me because I didn’t want to pursue something that was overly technical or heavily mathematical. I wanted room to explore different creative directions, and the Illinois advertising program gave me that opportunity. Along with the university’s large network and resources, Illinois felt like the best place for me to study advertising.

What advertising course has been the most valuable to you?

A course that stood out for me was ADV 360: Innovations in Advertising, which introduced me to a lot of the technology and strategy behind modern advertising. I also took ADV 480: Social Media Analytics, where we learned about things like Google search, organic search results, and key metrics such as impressions, clicks, and click-through rates. Even though I originally preferred the creative side of advertising, I found myself deeply interested in ad technology and the analytical side of the field.

I also took ADV 392: Advertising Immersion and Experiential Learning, which allowed me to apply what I was learning. We worked on running Amazon advertising campaigns, developed bidding strategies, and analyzed performance data to see whether our campaigns were successful. I found it fascinating because while creativity plays a role in strategy, it ultimately comes down to understanding the numbers and how to use them effectively. These classes opened my eyes to a new side of advertising I knew I wanted to pursue.

What has your experience been like in the American Advertising Foundation?

I joined AAF during my freshman year and was involved for about two years. I was a part of On The House, which is an agency within AAF that allows students to work on real client projects. Our team worked with a local Mexican restaurant in the Urbana-Champaign area, where we helped with rebranding and designed new menus. It was a really valuable experience because it was likely the first time many of us had ever worked directly with a client—already building experience as freshman. Since the owner primarily spoke Spanish, I was able to communicate with them in Spanish and help bridge that connection with our team, which made the experience even more meaningful for me. I was also involved in AAF’s DEI committee; now known as the Pangaea agency, where we planned cultural events and initiatives within the organization. While it was more community-focused, it was still a great way to connect with others in the advertising program and get more involved in AAF.

What are your career goals after graduating from Illinois, and how has the College of Media helped prepare you for them?

My long-term goal is to work in product marketing or product management. I’ve become really interested in roles where you can help take a product from the initial idea all the way through launch and marketing. I like the idea of combining the creative and strategic skills I learned in advertising while also growing into more of a leadership role focused on a single product.

The College of Media has been really supportive in helping me prepare for these goals. The advisors and faculty are very approachable and always willing to talk with students, which makes a big difference. My advisor has been a great support system, and I’ve always felt comfortable reaching out to professors for guidance. The small size of the college allows for more intimate connections compared to larger colleges, where that isn’t as easy. The college also emphasizes hands-on projects and collaboration in many classes, which has helped me build skills that are vital in advertising. Additionally, Media Career Services frequently provides great networking and career opportunities for students. Overall, the college provides many resources for students to grow in their respective fields.

What advice do you have for students trying to secure internships?

My biggest advice is to leverage the experiences you already have. When applying for internships, I talked about the courses I took at Illinois that introduced me to the skills and topics relevant to the role. It’s important to show employers that you’re intentionally pursuing opportunities that align with your interests. I would also encourage students not to limit themselves geographically or professionally. My current part-time role as a search engine specialist came through a family connection with a marketing agency based in Ecuador, which is where I’m originally from. Working remotely with an international team has allowed me to gain more experience while also using my Spanish. Stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to really rewarding opportunities!

What advice do you have for incoming advertising and media students?

I would advise students not to limit yourself based on what you initially think you want to do. When I first started, I thought I wanted to focus purely on the creative side of advertising, like designing billboards and ads. But once I explored more of the curriculum, I realized my interests were actually in other areas of the field. The advertising program offers a wide range of courses across different areas like strategy, technology, and creative work, so I encourage students to take advantage of that. Try classes in different parts of the curriculum and stay curious rather than feeling like you need to decide on a specific path right away. Being open to exploring different areas can help you discover interests you might not have expected and ultimately find the direction that fits you best!

—Interview by Alexa Camacho Villicana, New Voices Intern