Multicultural Advertising Intern Program Finalists

The American Association of Advertising Agencies Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP) has helped jump start the careers of more than 2,400 Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, Black/African American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Multiracial and Multiethnic aspiring advertising professionals. 

Each year, undergraduate and graduate students are selected for a 10-week paid summer internship at a 4A’s member advertising agency. Students gain practical work experience, establish key industry contacts and perhaps most importantly, become better prepared to land a full-time job in advertising when they graduate.

To become a MAIP finalist there is a rigorous three-phase process. The first phase requires that the applicant submit an application to MAIP. The application includes three essays, two recommendation letters (one from an employer and one from a professor), a resume, a current transcript and a creative video explaining why the applicant is unique. If the application is approved, the applicant is then sent to the second phase. The second phase is a phone or Skype interview with human resources professionals at the advertising agencies that participate with MAIP. Based on that interview, the HR professionals will promote the applicant to the finalist level. The third phase of the process is when all the finalists names and information are placed into a database where all the top ad agencies can view their information and select the interns they want. The interns are then notified of where they will be placed and can only accept or deny that one offer.

The Nicholson School of Communication (NSC) has created a name for itself within the MAIP program. Forty-five students have been MAIP interns since 2005. This year, 11 NSC students reached the finalist level and were congratulated for their hard work at a luncheon on March 21.

During this luncheon, advertising-public relations area coordinator Joan McCain proudly told the students “you are putting the school and the program on the map.”

Finalists included: Brittany Ruggerio, Victoria Andujar, Brandon Maxwell, Francesca Parker, Erika Lam, Juliana Ossa, Samantha Garcia, Shar Ngauja, Kenny Parker,Fernando Agudelo and Guilene Greffin.