“Career Test Drive” Offers College Students Unique Job Shadow Opportunity

A DAY-IN-THE-LIFE AT A MARKETING AGENCY

MB Piland Advertising + Marketing welcomed students from seven Kansas colleges for its eighth annual “Career Test Drive” Shadow Day, a full-speed-ahead day-in-the-life of a strategic marketing and branding agency. The event is designed for college juniors and seniors majoring in business, marketing or communications.

meeting high demand

MB Piland developed the “Career Test Drive” experience in 2015 when it became evident that many students need a shadow experience to understand what their career choices mean.

“Students usually have a general idea of what their major area of study will do for them, but it can be difficult for them to get an accurate picture of how it will translate into a real job or what the career path could look like,” says Martha Bartlett Piland, agency president and CEO. “We take them through an accelerated marketing and branding project from start to finish. We put them in the hot seat with role playing and some tough assignments that push them outside of their comfort zones—just like real life,” continues Bartlett Piland.

While the students can’t learn it all in one day, this opens their eyes to the strategy and planning that must happen in an agency—the hard work of solving complex problems—before a glitzy video, logo or ad campaign can be created.

the selection process

Each year, MB Piland shares Shadow Day application information with faculty, department leadership, career services counselors and student associations at Kansas colleges and universities. The event is also promoted through social media and in-classroom presentations. Students apply online, and then are chosen through a competitive process.

“This year our applicants came from the widest range of colleges we’ve ever had. Our group benefited from meeting students from so many different institutions but all in the same general field of study,” says Alexandra Reilly, vice president at MB Piland. This year’s participants and colleges included: Hallory Sutherland, Benedictine College; Marko Minic, Fort Hays State University; McKenna Lindsey, Kansas State University; Sara Yutzy, Tabor College; Calista Widharta; University of Kansas; Katheryn Molina, University of Saint Mary; and Antonia De La Rosa, Washburn University. The students originate from Kansas, Colorado, Indonesia and Serbia.

The Career Test Drive is held during spring break, so students don’t have to miss class to attend. Since most Kansas institutions have spring break the same week, it makes it easy for a broad range of students to apply. “I think it shows how ambitious and impressive these students are,” says Bartlett Piland. “Instead of taking it easy on their break, they’re working on their careers.”

why

Workforce is the number one concern for many of MB Piland’s clients. For students, entry into the workforce is equally—if not more—concerning. MB Piland’s annual Career Test Drive is designed to plant the seeds for future employees in our industry and in our community.

“It is important to us that we play a role in developing new talent in the field of marketing,” says Bartlett Piland. “This event not only serves the students, but also the business and marketing community. It’s rewarding to us and to the students to share this experience and build a stronger workforce.”

about

MB Piland Advertising + Marketing is a 25 year-old marketing, branding and strategy firm that improves the health and well being of people and communities by working in education, health, advocacy, economic development and financial sectors.

The firm has received dozens of local, regional, and international awards. This year the firm celebrates 25 years in business with a campaign called Punctuating the Period to address period poverty in Topeka Public Schools. More information can be found at MBPiland.com/25.