Committee Description
Our big picture mission is to increase interest in our industry among multicultural audiences. Our primary tactic will be making presentations at local area high schools; soliciting applications for a two week summer internship; awarding that internship; securing host companies for the intern and gaining recognition for the student’s achievements. View video to learn more. http://bit.ly/Zg83oL
AAF Greenville Minority High School Internship Program
As a local chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), AAF Greenville encourages professional development through seminars, award presentations, networking and industry leader recognition. As part of an effort to support diversity and inclusion within the advertising industry, the AAF Greenville Diversity Committee began awarding a Minority High School Internship Program in 2008. This program is part of a national initiative designed to provide students with a hands-on experience in the advertising and communications field.
The internship offers a minority high school student the opportunity to gain insightful experience and establish contacts within the advertising industry. Six Greenville County high school students have successfully completed the internship experience since 2008. Selected students participate in a two-week summer internship program that places them in various host organizations throughout the area. The selected students are rewarded with a $500 scholarship towards post-secondary education. The interns are eligible for a chance at a $1,000 college scholarship from AAF District Three which represents clubs of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. An AAF Greenville student has been selected for this additional scholarship in three of the past five years.
Through this experience, the intern gains an understanding of the different disciplines and opportunities that exist within the field.
Internship Criteria
AAF Greenville Diversity Committee members will make presentations to local high schools, youth groups, area clubs, etc. The presentations will provide an overview of the advertising industry and explain career opportunities within the field as well as introduce the internship program. Rising high school juniors or seniors, or rising college freshmen are eligible for consideration upon receipt of a completed Student Application to include:
• A completed application
• A typed 150-word essay on the topic, “Why a career in advertising interests me”
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher or guidance counselor
• An official transcript with class rank
• Signed parental consent form with medical release
Past Interns
2011
- Alexis Mood, Riverside High School
$500 AAF Greenville Scholarship Winner & AAF District Three $1,000 Scholarship Winner
2010
- Shaquan Kearse, Greer High School
$500 AAF Greenville Scholarship Winner & AAF District Three $1,000 Scholarship Winner
2009
- Raymond Christopher Jones, Woodmont High School
$500 AAF Greenville Scholarship Winner & AAF District Three $1,000 Scholarship Winner - London Wilson, Riverside High School
$500 AAF Scholarship Winner
2008
- Sigourney Woodfork, Riverside High School
$500 AAF Greenville Scholarship Winner & AAF District Three $1,000 Scholarship Winner - John Odumakende, Hillcrest High School
$500 AAF Scholarship Winner
Past Host Organizations
2011
- B2B Media
- Cox Media Group
- DNA Creative Communications
- Erwin-Penland
- FishEye Studios
- Ferebee Lane + Co.
2010
- Cox Media Group
- FishEye Studios
- DNA Creative Communications
- The Greenville News
- Erwin-Penland
2009
- the bounce agency
- Charter Media
- Cox Radio, Inc.
- DNA Creative Communications
- Erwin-Penland
- FishEye Studios
- Furman University
- Indexx Printing
- TPM – The Color Lab
- The Greenville News
2008
- the bounce agency
- Brains on Fire
- SourceLink
- Fairway Outdoor Advertising
- FishEye Studios
- Erwin-Penland
- Cargo
- TPM – The Color Lab
- Greenville Technical College
- Debbie Nelson & Associates