Category: Student Profiles

Get to know some of our College of Media Students! Rafael Aguirre is a Class of 2028 advertising major.

What made you choose advertising as your major?

A specific moment that really confirmed my interest happened during my senior year of high school when I visited Revolution, a sports marketing agency. They work on advertisements for organizations like F1, MLS, and other sports leagues in the U.S. Visiting their office gave me a real look at the industry and seeing how creative and collaborative the environment was stood out to me. It made the career feel exciting and [like] something I could genuinely see myself doing. That experience helped me realize that advertising was the direction I wanted to pursue.

What excites you about the advertising industry?

Since starting at Illinois, my perspective on advertising has evolved a lot. One of the biggest things I’ve realized is how quickly the industry changes, especially with the growth of new technology like artificial intelligence. Something that might have worked as an advertising strategy four years ago might not work today because the tools, platforms, and audiences have all changed.

Being in the program has helped me understand that advertising is becoming more modern and data-driven, and that professionals in the field must constantly adapt. It’s not just about creativity anymore, it’s also about understanding trends, using new technology, and analyzing data to see what works. That realization has made the field even more interesting to me.

What has been your favorite class so far and why?

Right now, my favorite class is Advertising 250: Advertising and Brand Strategy. One of the reasons I enjoy it so much is because it’s very project-based and collaborative. Instead of doing a lot of smaller assignments, we work in groups on one major project throughout the entire semester.

For the project, we either choose an existing brand and identify a challenge it’s facing, or we create our own brand and develop a solution to a problem within an industry. For example, a team might look at the energy drink industry and notice that there are too many single-use cans, which creates sustainability issues. From there, they would build a brand concept that addresses that problem. I like how the class encourages creativity, teamwork, and real-world problem solving, which makes it feel like the type of work you might do at an agency.

What resources have been helpful in navigating Illinois?

One resource that has been helpful is access to research databases through our school email. For example, Statista is a platform that provides statistics and industry data that are useful when working on projects or building marketing strategies. Normally, access to those types of resources can be expensive, but as Illinois students we can use them for free through our university accounts.

Having access to credible data makes it much easier to support ideas with real statistics, especially in advertising and marketing where research is important for making strong arguments and decisions.

Are you involved in any media-related RSOs? What makes your organization different?

I’m one of the founders of La Agencia, and I currently serve as the recruiting treasurer. We started the organization in Fall 2025 with the goal of helping students build stronger portfolios. The internship market in media and advertising has become very competitive, so we wanted to create a space where students could gain experience working on projects and develop work that they can showcase to employers.

One thing that makes La Agencia different from some other RSOs is our focus on building a sense of community. In many organizations, people already have their own friend groups and sometimes don’t interact much with new members. As an executive team, we try to encourage everyone to talk to each other and get to know people outside of their existing circles. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where members feel comfortable attending events, collaborating on projects, and building connections.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduating, I hope to work at an advertising agency, ideally in sports marketing or copywriting. I’m especially interested in copywriting because I enjoy the creative side of advertising and the process of developing messaging that connects with audiences. Overall, my goal is to work in an agency environment where I can contribute to creative campaigns, particularly in industries like sports where marketing plays a big role in connecting brands with fans.

—Interview by Andrea De La Torre, New Voices Intern 

Get to know some of our College of Media students! Rawan El-Bawab is a Class of 2026 CS + advertising major.

What led you to your decision to major in CS + advertising?

In high school, I really enjoyed math and statistics, but I was also very interested in psychology. When I was applying to Illinois, I came across the CS + advertising major. It immediately stood out because I had never seen a program that combined both sides of my interests so well. Even though I only had surface-level experience with computer science, I knew I enjoyed puzzles and logical thinking, so coding felt like a natural next step. I decided to take a chance on it, and it ended up being exactly what I was looking for.

How does combining computer science and advertising shape your perspective or skill set?

We live in a world that’s increasingly digital and driven by technology, so having a computer science background is incredibly valuable. What makes this major unique, though, is the addition of advertising. It pushes you to think beyond just the technical side and really consider people—their behaviors, preferences, and how they interact with products and platforms. That perspective is useful in any field. Understanding concepts like market research and branding gives you a broader view of how businesses operate. Knowing how to code is one thing, but if you don’t know how to connect it to people, it can only go so far. This major really helps you bridge that gap and develop a more well-rounded skill set.

What has been your most impactful or defining experience during your time in the College of Media?

My experience in AAF, the American Advertising Federation, has been one of the most defining parts of my time here. It played a huge role in helping me find both community and confidence. At the end of my freshman year, I applied for an executive position just to see what would happen. I ended up being offered a presidential role for one of the agencies, On the House. I hadn’t originally applied for a position that high because I didn’t think I was qualified, but the previous executive members encouraged me and saw potential in me. It was definitely challenging at first, and there was a lot to learn, but over time I grew into the role and ended up loving it. I stayed in that position throughout my sophomore year, and then in my junior year, I became president of Midnight Oil, an application-based agency with more experienced members. Through those roles, I discovered how much I enjoy working with people, mentoring others, and creating a supportive team environment. That experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as both a leader and a collaborator.

Do you have any advice for students trying to attain internships?

It helps to identify companies you’re interested in and keep an eye on their websites, because a lot of it comes down to timing. The more you apply, the better your chances. At the same time, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, especially when it feels like everyone around you is doing the same thing. One thing I’ve learned is that it’s okay if you don’t land an internship right away. There are so many valuable opportunities on campus that can help you build skills and experience in meaningful ways. Looking back, I wish I had been a little kinder to myself during that process. Not having an internship immediately isn’t a reflection of your potential, and it won’t make or break your future career. Keep going, and don’t be too hard on yourself.

What are your career plans after graduating from Illinois, and how has the College of Media helped prepare you for them?

After graduating, I’ll be starting a role in tech sales, which I’m really excited about because it combines both the technical and advertising sides of my major. The College of Media has been a strong support system throughout my time here. My advisor, Megan Tucker Zwilling, played a huge role in that. She was always encouraging and genuinely invested in what I was doing. At times when I took on too much, she helped me step back and find a better balance. Having that kind of support made a big difference. She was always there to answer my questions and help me think through decisions, and that guidance really helped me navigate my path and feel more confident moving forward.

What advice do you have for incoming CS + advertising students?

My biggest advice is to get involved in RSOs. RSOs give you the flexibility to explore different interests in a low-pressure environment, whether you stay for a semester or longer. They’re a great way to gain hands-on experience and figure out what you actually enjoy. For me, being involved in AAF helped me realize that I liked the technical side of my major, but didn’t necessarily want to work at a traditional ad agency. Through internships, I also learned that I didn’t want to focus solely on software engineering. Those experiences helped me narrow down what I was looking for and eventually led me to a role that combines both areas. This major gives you a lot of flexibility because the skills are transferable across different industries. Take advantage of that! Try new things, step outside your comfort zone, and stay open to different paths.

—Interview by Alexa Camacho Villicana, New Voices Intern