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Experiential Learning

In the IMC Professional program, we believe learning happens in many forms. We have developed various programs and activities that take place outside of the traditional classroom learning environment. This increases your opportunities for learning by providing skill-building, networking, industry intelligence and career development. We also like to have a little fun with less formal opportunities to connect and get to know each other. In addition to in-person events, we most events online and livestream or record them when possible.

Workshops

Workshops offer additional training in cutting-edge areas of marketing. Workshops are held on campus in both Chicago and Evanston, or online.

Workshop examples:

  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Creative Strategy: Planning Digital Content and Designing Feed-Breaking Prototypes
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
  • Google Analytics
  • Influencer Marketing
  • Pinterest Creative
  • Privacy, Data Protection and Identity Landscape
  • Salesforce Marketing Cloud
  • Social media analytics
  • Tableau
  • The Art of Storytelling

Speaker series

In Medill IMC, we believe in the power of human connections through networking. Guest speakers and panels provide vital opportunities for you to learn from marketing experts across industries and build your professional network. Our speakers are top industry professionals in innovative fields of marketing. In addition, our alumni frequently give back to their alma mater and fellow Wildcats by serving as speakers or panelists.

Recent speaker events:

  • Agency-Side vs. Client-Side Panel
  • Medill Women Entrepreneurs Panel
  • Medill Brand Activation Challenge
  • Medill: Above the Ceiling Event
  • Fireside chat with WunderLand Group

Guest speakers

We regularly bring guest speakers to assist with our students’ learning. These industry professionals help illuminate topics from digital marketing and email marketing to programmatic ad buying and content marketing and more.

Recent guest speaker examples:

Name Title
Suman Chagarlamudi Head of Solutions Engineering at Pinterest
James Clear Author of Business Best-Seller, “Atomic Habits”
Jose Costa (IMC04) Chief Development Officer at Bojangles'​ Restaurants, Inc.
Shannon Dan EVP, Agency Services at Intersport
Dan Golden President and Chief Search Artist at Be Found Online
Jeremy Gottlieb Chief Digital Marketing Strategist and President of Lupa Digital Inc.
Larry Hughes Director of Customer Data Platforms at Keurig Dr Pepper
Kyle Johnson Solution Designer at Adobe
Julia Kiley Director of Customer Data Platforms at Keurig Dr Pepper Inc.
Josh Lee Senior Consultant, Adobe TV Analytics at Adobe
John Manley (IMC03) CMO at Chew
Liz Metz VP of Global Nonwovens at Kimberly-Clark
Elly Moody Digital Customer Satisfaction and Engagement Strategy Manager at McDonald’s
Will Post Industry Manager, U.S. CPG - Global Marketing Solutions at Facebook
Robbert Rietbroek Senior Vice President and General Manager at Quaker Foods North America
Chris Russo CEO at Fifth Generation Sports
Ken Seiter EVP of Marketing Communications at Toy Industry Association
Ram Singh Chief Analytics Officer at Performics
Judy Toland VP and Head of Scaled Solutions, Global Business Marketing at Facebook
Justin Wood Director of Strategic Insights at LRWMotiveQuest

Site visits in Chicago and San Francisco

Visiting an organization provides a unique window into a new world. At Medill IMC, we believe in not just telling, but showing our students. Site visits can bring together multiple marketing disciplines and bring cross-function roles into one space.

Recent site visits:

  • McDonald’s corporate headquarters, Chicago
  • Vibes Mobile Marketing, Chicago
  • Square headquarters, San Francisco
  • Chicago Tribune Newsroom
A panel of five people sit on chairs at the front of a room and speak to a group of students who are seated at tables
IMC students visit Centro's Chicago headquarters to learn how the company develops software and services to automate digital media operations.

Student meetups and informal networking

These events provide a great way to get to know your fellow classmates and build your professional network. These include both in-person and online events to ensure all of our IMC Professional students have the opportunity to meet one another, regardless of where they live.

Recent informal networking events:

  • Virtual meditation session
  • Virtual coffees
  • Happy hour and wine tasting
  • Fireside chat with the Mayor of Evanston

Peer-to-peer mentorship

The Peer Program pairs current and incoming Medill IMC master's students, allowing for community, mentorship and coaching across our master's student programs. This is a great way to meet, network and socialize with other students.