With “Inspiring Innovation” as the theme, Communication Week 2015 will be April 6 to 9 at Illinois State University. Events will highlight how professionals adapt to a technology-driven world and use creativity to foster new ideas.
The four keynote speakers and 13 panels will help students explore a range of career fields from sports communication and entertainment, to public relations and visual design. Additionally, keynotes will share their experience with leading organizations such as Facebook, Ogilvy Public Relations and the Packback startup.
Kicking off the week’s keynotes is a pair of young alums who have already made their mark. Facebook’s Corporate Communication Internal Advertising Manager Joe Benarroch is speaking at 9:35 a.m. Monday, April 6, in State Farm’s Caterpillar Auditorium. Michael Rigsby, Chief Executive Officer of Dirt on Dirt Racing will follow at 2 p.m. in CVA 151.
Jessica Tenuta, visual designer for Packback starts Tuesday, April 7, by telling how creativity and entrepreneurism landed her on Sharktank at 9:35 a.m. in CVA 151. Later, Ogilvy PR Vice President Rory Swikle speaks to public relations enthusiasts at 7 p.m. in Schroeder 130 as part of the Public Relations Students Society of America chapter meeting.
COM Week 2015 wraps up with the Career Institute, offering networking and education segments from 9 a.m. to noon on Thursday in the Brown Ballroom of the Bone Student Center. Here, students are welcome to connect with local business recruiters while also receiving professional feedback on tools such as resumes, interviewing and LinkedIn.
While COM Week originally started for communication students, this year the SoC extends the invite across campus. Each event is a valuable networking and educational opportunity that promises to advance any young professional, regardless of major.
As an added incentive, Uptown Normal’s Coffee Hound is providing free coffee to all attendees who purchase the COM Week 2015 coffee mug. Free coffee will be served 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday-Wednesday in the Fell Hall lobby.
For a full view of the COM Week 2015 weekly events, download the free Illinois State University app through the iOS app or Google Play store, then search for the COM Week 2015 Guide. A complete schedule is also available on the COM Week website at http://cas.illinoisstate.edu/sites/comweek/.
For additional information, contact JoeyLauren Jiracek at (708) 921-1033 or jkjirac@ilstu.edu.
