Beginning on March 16, 2023, Klein College of Media and Communication will host a series of workshops in partnership with The Creative Ladder, an organization dedicated to reaching the next generation of creative professionals. 

One challenge that is facing creative industries today is the lack of diversity in the workforce. One reason for this is that recruiters and employers usually look in the same places to find talent. The Creative Ladder aims to create opportunities for networking and education about all the creative industries that students and professionals can pursue. 

“I reached out to them, and I said, ‘If you’re looking to create a more diverse, creative workforce, why don’t you come talk to my students,” said Advertising and Public Relations Department Chair and Associate Professor of Instruction Joe Glennon, CLA ’16, (he/him).  

The Creative Ladder enthusiastically agreed, and now, Klein College has the honor of being the first college that The Creative Ladder is working with to reach students before they enter the field.  

Over the next four weeks, four workshops will be held in Charles Library, with each one focusing on a different segment of the advertising field. The workshops are open to any Temple University student, not just those in Klein College, and students can choose to sign up for just one workshop, all four, or somewhere in between. There are 40 seats available in each session, and registration is open through April 6, 2023, when the last session will be held. 

More information about the sessions can be found here, and students can register here. 

“For us, it’s really about empowering and uplifting the next generation of creative professionals,” said Program Director Abnia Loriston (she/her). Loriston is already impressed to see the way our students participate in clubs and internships to gain experience in the field. 

Each session will be three blocks: one where the speaker or speakers discuss their experience in their industry, time for questions and answers and a final workshop for students to try their hand at producing work similar to what the professional has done.  

The Creative Ladder found it important to bring advertising and marketing professionals from the Philadelphia area, so students can get a feel for the local dynamics of the industry. Loriston and Glennon hope that the event will provide networking opportunities for students as they begin thinking about their post-graduation plans.  

Glennon is thrilled that organizations like The Creative Ladder exist, because he knows that they have our students’ best interest at heart. He hopes students take advantage of the opportunity to network, learn and demonstrate what the next generation of creative professionals looks like. 

“It’s what you do when no one tells you what to do that tells the world who you are,” Glennon said.