CANCELLED: In light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, COM Week 2020 has been cancelled.
What better way to celebrate the great things about the field of communication than an annual, week-long event? Illinois State University’s School of Communication is hosting COM Week 2020, a simple conference that brings real professionals to students on campus during the week of April 6.
COM Week 2020 will feature a variety of speakers in keynote addresses, as they share their expertise on topics such as sports communication, comic book creation, and nonprofit communication. Also featured are multiple panel sessions, which include “Corporate Communication,” “Young Alumni: Growing Careers,” “Behind the Scenes of Sports Media,” “Pinterest to Professional,” “Fearless Fashionistas,” “COMedy Night,” and more. COM Week encourages students of all disciplines to attend because the event is a great professional development and networking opportunity.
COM Week is specially designed by the School of Communication Promotions and Development (SoC–PD) team, a talented group of undergraduate communication students looking to gain experience within the field.
School of Communication Promotions and Development (SoC-PD) team
“My favorite parts about planning COM Week have been working with my incredible team on each event and building my network with highly skilled and experienced professionals,” said Mattie Bean, intern of the SoC–PD team who oversees the “Young Alumni: Growing Careers” and “Life at an Agency” panels. “I am overjoyed to get to meet and hear from such intelligent individuals during the entirety of COM Week.”
COM Week gives students a special opportunity to learn about their potential careers and passions outside of the classroom. “Although Illinois State offers terrific classes to expand one’s knowledge, skills, and abilities for their career field of interest, I believe hearing from professionals currently working in those industries offers even more insight into what students’ futures may look like post-graduation,” said Bean. Students will be encouraged to participate in Q&A sessions after presentations take place.
Students attending “Young Alumni: Growing Careers” and “Life at an Agency” panels can expect to hear from the following professionals:
Young Alumni: Growing Careers Panel
- Allison (Seys) Preston, digital communications specialist at Illinois Farm Bureau
- Victoria Jackson, account representative at CDW
- Andrea Johnson, marketing and social media specialist at Heritage Operations Groups
- Maddie Rose, account coordinator at Fishman Public Relations
Life at an Agency
- Kristen Kelley Aldrich, director and vice president at Golin
- Brittany Martin, senior media relations strategist at Walker Sands
- Caitlyn Luchsinger, account supervisor at Zeno Group
- Jillian Howard, vice president and general manager at Ketchum
For more information regarding keynote speakers, panelists, or to apply for the SoC–PD team, please visit https://about.illinoisstate.edu/comweek/.
