Top schools for recruiting marketing and advertising students for internships and recent grads for early career job opportunities

When you’re recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early career marketing/advertising jobs, which are your favorite schools to recruit from and why? Here is what 10 thought leaders have to say.

• Temple University’s Practical Experience
• University of Michigan’s Holistic Approach
• NYU and USC’s Tech-Savvy Graduates
• Top Programs Offer Creative Analytical Minds
• Columbia’s Strong Strategy and Branding
• Indiana and Oregon Provide Hands-On Learning
• USC Marshall’s Forward-Thinking Candidates
• Evaluating School’s Digital Presence
• Diverse Perspectives from Wharton and Medill
• Robust Programs Yield Capable Candidates

Temple University’s Practical Experience

In the Philadelphia region, Temple University is by far the best. There are other excellent schools such as the University of Pennsylvania, Rutgers-Camden, and Drexel, but we’ve had the best experience with Temple graduates. 

To start, the Klein School of Media and Communication has a student-run ad agency that does client work, making it one of the few places where you will find applicants who have done actual work for businesses. 

Marketing majors are trained through the Fox School of Business, which is a rigorous program in itself, but it also runs several consulting projects where students have the opportunity to work on client projects. Having a new hire come on straight out of school who has actually worked on projects for someone other than a professor is invaluable.

Frank Olivo, CEO, Sagapixel SEO

University of Michigan’s Holistic Approach

My favorite school to recruit from for internships and early-career marketing/advertising jobs is the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, which consistently directs a significant portion of its graduates into marketing roles. 

I appreciate this institution because Ross has a longstanding tradition of blending academic study with practical experience, particularly in how it approaches marketing education. The Ross signature Multidisciplinary Action Project (MAP)—a seven-week component of the core curriculum—offers considerable value for marketing students. In this program, student teams work with companies both in the U.S. and internationally to complete substantial consulting projects.

From my interactions with graduates from this school, I’ve noticed that students learn to set marketing objectives by considering competitors and analyzing both current and potential customers. 

When making strategic decisions related to distribution, pricing, products, promotion, and services, Ross students are adept at assessing the current environment, identifying potential challenges, and developing strategic solutions to establish or sustain a competitive edge. 

True to the ethos of Ross, students actively engage in developing case studies within their interest areas and present them in class. The outcome is that students leave equipped with the necessary tools to analyze marketing strategies and make informed marketing decisions.

Patrick Beltran, Marketing Director, Ardoz Digital

NYU and USC’s Tech-Savvy Graduates

When recruiting students for internships or recent grads for early-career marketing or advertising roles, I often look to schools like NYU and USC. Their strong digital media and marketing programs offer a blend of theory and practical application that prepares students exceptionally well. 

These graduates usually have a keen understanding of the latest trends and the hands-on experience needed to excel quickly in the dynamic, tech-focused environment we cultivate at CrownTV.

Alex Taylor, Head of Marketing, CrownTV

Top Programs Offer Creative Analytical Minds

When recruiting students for internships or recent graduates for early-career marketing and advertising jobs, I often turn to schools known for their strong programs in marketing, communications, and business innovation. 

Top picks include the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), New York University (Stern), and Northwestern University (Medill). These schools are renowned not only for their rigorous academic standards but also for their cutting-edge research in marketing strategies and consumer behavior.

Students from these programs are typically well-versed in both traditional and digital marketing techniques and equipped with the latest tools and theories. They also bring a creative and analytical mindset, essential for crafting effective marketing campaigns and understanding complex market dynamics. 

This blend of creativity and analytics, coupled with their exposure to diverse marketing projects and internships, makes them excellent candidates who can immediately contribute to innovative marketing solutions in a competitive business environment.

Bhavik Sarkhedi, CMO, Write Right

Columbia’s Strong Strategy and Branding

Columbia University, particularly graduates from the Columbia Business School, is highly sought after for their strong foundation in strategy and branding. The New York location offers students significant exposure to major industry players in advertising and marketing, enriching their practical experience. Columbia’s curriculum, which integrates traditional marketing knowledge with new digital strategies, prepares students to take on leadership roles early in their careers.

Tom Golubovich, Head of Marketing, Ninja Transfers

Indiana and Oregon Provide Hands-On Learning

When it comes to hiring for marketing and advertising roles, many recruiters have favorites among top universities. Based on the experiences of those I’ve helped with their resumes and job searches, a few schools stand out for producing well-rounded graduates with strong real-world skills:

At Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, we consistently encounter students who possess a great mix of theory and hands-on learning to prepare them for the constantly changing demands of marketing. Through projects and coursework, they develop expertise in areas like research, strategy, branding, and using different media channels—giving them the confidence to hit the ground running.

The University of Oregon is known for its emphasis on practical experience through their student-run ad agency. This hands-on learning fosters students’ creativity and teaches them how to effectively plan and execute full campaigns. They graduate with professional-quality portfolios that showcase their abilities.

Meanwhile, Rutgers University is admired for producing strategic thinkers through research-focused classes. Students learn to analyze markets, understand people, and translate findings into solid marketing plans and strategies. Combined with a willingness to continuously adapt and learn more, this gives their graduates an edge.

While any degree from a respected school offers advantages, what matters most is an individual’s passion, determination, and flexibility. With the right educational foundation plus real-world experience, anyone can make themselves a very strong candidate, even at top companies. For recruiters, these certain colleges check all the boxes in turning out new hires ready to make an impact right away.

Stephen Greet, CEO and Co-Founder, BeamJobs

USC Marshall’s Forward-Thinking Candidates

I often recruit from the University of Southern California (USC), especially from the Marshall School of Business. They provide exceptional candidates for marketing roles due to their forward-thinking approach and integration of new technologies and media.

USC Marshall students often have hands-on experience with cutting-edge marketing tools and digital platforms, which is crucial for success in today’s digitally driven market. Their engagement with the vibrant business and media landscape of Los Angeles also gives them a competitive edge in understanding and leveraging new marketing trends.

Thomas Medlin, Co-Founder, JumpMD

Evaluating School’s Digital Presence

Marketing is evolving much faster than most universities and schools can adapt to it. So, when considering new candidates for marketing positions, we always check their educational background to see how they are adapting to the changes. 

After all, if the website looks like it’s from the early 2010s, and the university or school has no digital presence, how can they teach students about it properly? On the other hand, universities and schools that are active on social media, have undergone digital transformation, and organize a lot of events, which are promoted heavily, will most likely be able to teach their students how marketing should be done. 

So, if it’s a school with which we are not familiar, we always check out their social media presence first, and then dive deeper into their activities. As a result, all our new team members are proficient with the technologies, agile in real-time marketing, and have a much higher chance of staying with us for longer.

Mateusz Calik, CEO, Delante

Diverse Perspectives from Wharton and Medill

When scouting for interns or fresh talent in marketing/advertising, I have a soft spot for schools with a diverse mix of students who bring fresh perspectives. Places like the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School or Northwestern University’s Medill School stand out. 

Their blend of academic rigor, practical experience, and innovative thinking consistently produces candidates who seamlessly integrate into our dynamic team. It’s about finding individuals who not only excel academically but also thrive in real-world challenges.

Koray Tugberk GUBUR, Founder and Owner, Holistic SEO

Robust Programs Yield Capable Candidates

I have found that universities with robust marketing and advertising programs consistently produce highly capable candidates. Among my favorites are the University of Pennsylvania, known for its Wharton School, which instills a strong business acumen in its students; and New York University (NYU), which provides extensive industry exposure and networking opportunities.

Additionally, the University of Southern California (USC) offers a creative and innovative environment that nurtures forward-thinking talent. These institutions not only equip students with solid theoretical knowledge but also emphasize practical experience through internships and real-world projects, making their graduates well-prepared to excel in early career roles.

Rohit Vedantwar, Co-Founder and Director, Supramind.com