An inclusive, student-led club gives Ducks a low-pressure way to explore advertising, develop creative skills, and find their people.
By McKenzie Leary, Class of ’26
Every Monday in Allen Hall, a group of students from the UO School of Journalism and Communication (SOJC) gets together “after hours” to connect over their shared desire to build advertising skills.
They are all part of the After Hours club, which supports students in two ways: It helps them create their portfolios and build relationships.
Some members attend the evening club to prepare for competitive SOJC opportunities, like Allen Hall Advertising (AHA) or the nationally recognized SOJC Ad Team. Both opportunities require prior experience and strong portfolios. After Hours gives students a starting point for learning the basics and creating high-quality work to include in their portfolios.
But equally important is the club’s community. After Hours prides itself on being inclusive and welcoming. No experience is required, and students don’t need to be advertising majors. Past attendees have included business and public relations students interested in branding or creative work.
“After Hours is a place you can come without worry,” said Connor Baird ’26, who co-directs the club with Isabella King ’26. “We’re on the same level as you guys. We’re students.”
Advertising club offers networking tips, portfolio advice
A typical meeting blends learning with community building. The hour-long gatherings often open with an “ad of the week” discussion to get people talking. Afterward, After Hours leadership will give a short presentation about topics like portfolio development, networking tips or campaign-building basics. From there, students break into small groups to brainstorm, create mock campaigns or play games together.
Every few weeks, the club brings in guest speakers. The club recently hosted Kym Rohman, assistant teaching professor of advertising and design. Guest speakers give members a look into the industry and help them understand pathways they might pursue.
There’s no requirement to attend weekly, and the focus of each meeting is posted on Instagram a few days before.
Advertising club builds community
Maia Rosenthal ’26, the club’s social media manager, first joined in fall 2024. Like many students, she walked in feeling overwhelmed by the number of opportunities available to her in the SOJC and unsure where to begin. But the moment she stepped into After Hours, everything clicked.
“After Hours changed my whole college career,” Rosenthal said. “If I hadn’t stepped into that meeting that day, I probably still wouldn’t be doing advertising. I needed the resources, and having peers around me to laugh and joke with made my experience more comfortable.”
Rosenthal said the club helped her find her people within the SOJC. She met her close friends in the club, and her mission is to keep After Hours a space where others can find their community as well.
Baird said the club nurtures lifelong connections. “After Hours is the place where you make those connections that hopefully stick with you your entire career.”
Ultimately, After Hours isn’t just a stepping stone to the student-run agency Allen Hall Advertising or Ad Team. It’s a community that eases students into the world of advertising, offers a place to practice new skills and provides a supportive and safe environment for other students.
McKenzie Leary is a fourth-year public relations major in the UO School of Journalism and Communication, minoring in global studies. She is passionate about creating multimedia narratives, traveling and advocacy. McKenzie loves having the opportunity to share people’s stories and recently finished her first novel.