Click the Give Now button above to help the College of Communication and Information Sciences raise $10,000 for this year's passion project, Industry Immersion!
Industry Immersion is a professional development program that takes motivated C&IS students to meet some of our most inspiring alumni and industry professionals in leading job markets across the country.
The program provides undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to explore and experience the communication and media industries first-hand. Students are able to open their minds to new career possibilities and clarify their career goals. The program takes students to cities including Los Angeles, New York City, Washington D.C., Atlanta and Nashville, allowing them to see and feel what it's like to live and work in a particular city.
Through Industry Immersion, students are given the opportunity to elevate themselves personally and professionally. The program builds skills in interpersonal communication, interviewing, salary negotiation, personal branding and strategic networking -- skills that drive careers forward.
Students gain a comprehensive understanding of career opportunities, and first-hand knowledge of company cultures and develop new contacts and mutually beneficial, long-term relationships. Industry Immersion strengthens relationships between students, alumni and industry professionals, giving C&IS students an advantage in the internship and job market.
The program has helped former students land their dream job after graduation, like 2022 graduate Bill Murray. Murray met with representatives from the National Basketball Association (NBA) on an Industry Immersion trip in May 2022, and months later received a job offer from the company.
The program also helps current students like Maggie Joe O'Neal to hone their career paths in the city of their dreams.:
"Touching down at JFK and riding in my first-ever cab was an experience like no other," said O'Neal. "Being able to see and feel the city I always dreamed about was exhilarating. The networking opportunities and relationships I was able to build from Industry Immersion New York are unforgettable. I was really able to nail down that I want to do music PR."
This year, your gift will support the Industry Immersion program as it aims to connect more C&IS students with industry professionals nationwide.
The goal is to raise $10,000, with funds supporting:
1. Scholarships to cover program and travel expenses for qualified students
2. Any additional program costs
C&IS Dean Brian Butler and Dr. Michelle Butler will match up to $1,000 after the first 25 gifts are made to Industry Immersion. Help us unlock this donation by contributing now!
Additionally, your gift may be doubled when you give to Industry Immersion. The C&IS Board of Visitors has generously agreed to match up to $10,000 once the College reaches our $10,000 goal.
If you wish to support C&IS in a different way, consider making a gift to the Capstone Communication Society by going to bamablitz.ua.edu/ccs.
