Inspiring the Next Generation: Reflections from Spark KC
Board Member Contributor, Cecily Ramos
On September 20th, an auditorium filled with over 125 students on the brink of their professional journeys eagerly gathered at the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, KS, for a transformative event. With breakfast in hand and questions buzzing about the advertising industry, these aspiring professionals were ready to showcase their talent. Hosted by the KC Ad Club and presented by Hovey Williams, Spark KC brought together industry experts to share insights on social media marketing, AI, copywriting, and more, culminating in a vibrant job fair that connected eager students with leading companies in the design sector.
The theme of the event, “Ignite Your Career,” aimed to empower students as they took their first steps into the professional world. With a robust lineup of industry panels, networking opportunities, and a job fair, the event provided students with invaluable tools to jumpstart their careers. More than 25 dedicated volunteers helped pull everything together, ensuring the event was a resounding success.
As the morning unfolded, students from various colleges were encouraged to network, sharing ideas and experiences. The initial panels featured industry leaders discussing the future for upcoming graduates and outlining the “Hiring Equation,” offering insider knowledge on the skills, qualities, and experiences that are essential in today’s job market. Attendees found the dynamic exchanges between moderators and panelists particularly beneficial, as they posed thoughtful questions that led to insightful discussions. Breakout sessions covered a range of topics, including “Words that Sell” and “Visual Storytelling,” providing deeper dives into specialized areas of interest.
The keynote speaker, Elijah Kleinsmith, Innovation and Technology Director at Signal Theory, delivered a compelling talk on “Harnessing Human Creativity in the Age of AI.” As AI continues to reshape the creative landscape, his timely insights resonated deeply with attendees, who expressed enthusiasm for the topic and a desire for more discussions on this vital subject.
The event concluded with a bustling career fair, where students had the chance to connect with professionals and grab coveted freebies. Armed with portfolios and resumes, they eagerly sought out networking opportunities, demonstrating their commitment to making meaningful connections and gathering feedback to enhance their career prospects. Feedback surveys revealed that students found immense value in hearing from industry leaders and were keen to learn more about building competitive portfolios and resumes. The next generation of marketing professionals are clearly hungry for knowledge and growth, and they are in capable hands.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our sponsors—Hovey Williams, LandaJob, Midland, and Trabon—for their continued support of the KC Ad Club. Your contributions make events like this possible and enrich the experiences of our students.
About KC Ad Club:
Founded in August 1902 by Russell Whitman, the Kansas City Advertising Club is the most historic American Advertising Federation (AAF) club nationwide, boasting nearly 2,000 members across the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan area. As a member of AAF District 9 and AAF National, the club is dedicated to serving the advertising and marketing industry through educational programming, volunteer opportunities and networking events.
