Written by Emma Weber
More than 100 students attended this year’s Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Exposition in Cone Chapel Tuesday, Oct. 11, giving them the opportunity to pursue their career goals.
The IMC degree was initially approved in 2018. In the years since, there has been rapid growth in the area, as well as desire for new career options. This event encouraged students to speak with professionals in the field about the ways IMC skills are used in the industry. Some of the skills highlighted by the event are sales, marketing, advertising, graphic design and public relations. Last year, 23 companies participated. This year, however, 30-plus companies lined Cone Chapel with professional opportunities for students. New prizes — such as the “Best First Impression,” won by students Kali Dennis and Tucker Lovell, and a raffle for Cody Johnson concert tickets — increased the traffic flow of the event.
“Last year’s exposition was building traction, I even had to beg several companies, but once they saw the quality of students and energy and experience, they wanted to come back,” assistant professor of communications and event organizer Lori Sloan said.
This sentiment was shared by recruiter and Harding alumnus Alontis Andress.
“We always come to Harding because we know the students have the right mindset and good hearts, so we keep coming back,” Andress said.
For some students, this event is the first step to finding their future job.
“The goal is to get people talking and understanding the collaboration of working together,” Sloan said. “In any organization everyone needs to work together.”
Senior communication studies major Adam Dawidow came to the exposition to explore his options and was excited to see the areas of work.
“I’m trying to see if there is any overlap in my field,” Dawidow said. “First Orion seemed like just a tech company, but I talked to a recent graduate and he said they were looking for a broad spectrum of employees. There are a lot of creative options at entry levels, which I would value in a company. I’m drowning in business cards.”
One organization that was excited to come back was the Memphis Grizzlies. Account executive of Group Sales Ariel Mroz-Berwer was excited to connect with students for her second year at the event.
“The whole student body is a complete pleasure, and I love how excited they are to be here,” Mroz-Berwer said. “They are all super nice and professional, which is so refreshing to see.”
