SJMC Education in America Programs will travel to New York City

By Marissa Martinez

San Marcos – As the second largest academic department at Texas State University, SJMC offers their students the opportunity to travel in January to New York City as part of the Education in America programs.                                                                                                  

SJMC Education in America Program directors Clay Craig and Chuck Kaufman spoke Monday for Mass Communication Week to extend knowledge and explain the benefits of applying for the program. While the agencies visited will be directed towards advertising and public relations students, the application is open to any major within SJMC.

“For a student to be eligible for the program, they must be full major status and have good academic standing,” Craig said. “My other requirement is you must be a member of Ad Club as we are limited with the number of seats…about 15 people.”

Kaufman said the New York City trip will be split into two weeks: he will be the professor for the first session as they visit public relation agencies from Jan. 5 to Jan. 11. Craig is the professor for the second session where they will visit advertising agencies from Jan. 11 to Jan. 18 .

Craig said the program provides SJMC students an opportunity to earn one credit hour, MC 1100H: Career Exploration: New York City. This is also when companies are looking for summer interns and these students are going to be fresh on their mind.

“This isn’t an excuse to go to New York, it’s a course actually,” Kaufman said. “The (public relations) group is open to 15 students and typically I make it available to juniors and seniors because they are going to get more out of the trip. They will get to know the industry; they will get to know their craft.

Craig said the program will be an estimated cost of $1,277.50 which includes tuition, program fee and other additional costs such as museum entrance fees. Students will have to pay for their own food, round-trip airfare and personal expenses.

Course tuition and program fee is billed and paid through SBS billing and payment.

“New York is the media capital of the world,” Kaufman said. “The groups will have about two meetings a day, one taking place in the morning and one in the afternoon. Monday night, we will be visited by (Texas State) alums which is an opportunity to network.”

Public Relations major Lorren Nicole Guy said she is very excited for the possibility of networking with several outstanding PR companies that could potentially lead to a future internship or even a job in New York City.

The public relations group will be present during a United Nations Media Briefing, visit PR companies such as Hunter Public Relations, Weber Shandwick and several others. The advertising group will go visit advertising companies such as Momentum Worldwide, Grey, Sparks and Honey.

Craig said that all applicants should email them before they apply. He will begin reviewing applicants at the end of this week and begin telling students in November, if they have been accepted into the program.

To apply for the program, visit https://www.extension.txstate.edu/students/study-in-america-offerings.html