15 Marketing Summer Schools for 15 Year Olds

TL;DR

You’ll find 15 marketing, advertising, and business programs here, from one-day university workshops to two-week summer schools in New York, Milan, and Hong Kong. Costs range from a free UIC workshop and scholarship-based Penn State camps to HKD 15,800 for HKU’s two-week business programmes. Most suit high schoolers around 15, though a few have older age limits. UGA’s Advertising and PR camp, for example, has you build a full campaign in one week. Immerse Education’s Career Insights pathway in Marketing & Entertainment also welcomes ages 15 to 18 at Barnard College in New York.

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If you’re a high school student with a knack for creativity and a passion for understanding people, exploring the world of marketing could be your perfect summer adventure. Marketing is not just about selling products; it’s about understanding consumer psychology, creating compelling messages, and executing innovative campaigns that truly connect with audiences.

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In addition to fostering creativity, marketing summer schools equip students with essential skills such as digital marketing strategy, social media engagement, branding techniques, and market research methodologies. You will learn to leverage contemporary tools, including analytics software and social media platforms, to devise marketing strategies that resonate with target audiences. Moreover, many programs emphasize collaboration through teamwork, simulating a professional environment where you’ll present your ideas and receive constructive feedback.

How do you choose the right marketing summer schools for high school students?

Choosing the right program can be challenging with an abundance of options available. You’ll want to ensure that the program offers meaningful practical experiences and exposure to industry practitioners, allowing you to make connections that could benefit you in the future.

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Programs span various focuses, from digital marketing and social media strategies to traditional marketing principles. Many summer schools offer dynamic environments filled with project-based learning and mentorship, providing deep insights into the marketing profession. 

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To help you choose, we’ve drawn up a list of 15 marketing summer schools for 15-year-olds.

15 Marketing Summer Schools for 15 Year Olds

1. Bocconi University Summer School for High School Students

Location: Bocconi University, Milan, Italy
Cost/Stipend: Varies by year; optional on-campus housing cost €1,600 for the two weeks in 2026
Program Dates: Two weeks; the 2026 program ran July 6th to July 17th
Deadline: 2026 applications are closed; 2027 dates not yet posted
Eligibility: High school students in their third-to-last or second-to-last year who have turned 15 by the start of the program; open to students in Italy and abroad

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Bocconi University Summer School for High School Students offers an immersive experience in economics, management, law, and related fields through a range of labs tailored for high school students. You’ll attend lessons taught by Bocconi faculty and collaborate on a group project that you present during the final lesson. 

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The interactive format encourages critical thinking and teamwork as you connect with motivated peers from around the world. You will also have the chance to explore case studies, enhancing your understanding of complex concepts. By the end of the program, you’ll develop analytical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork skills.

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Why it stands out: Its interactive labs led by Bocconi faculty give you early exposure to business and economics at one of Europe’s best-known business universities.

2. Immerse Education's Marketing Summer School

Location: Barnard College, New York City, NY

Cost/Stipend: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; an average of 7 participants per class

Dates: 2 weeks during the summer

Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions

Eligibility: Students aged 15 to 18; open to international students

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Immerse Education's Career Insights pathway in Marketing & Entertainment aims to help high school students like you build a strong foundation for a career in marketing and entertainment. It equips you with the fundamental knowledge to succeed in the field, teaching you branding, digital marketing, and media production. During the two-week program, you will be involved in a range of activities, including participating in group workshops, going on industry visits, and attending expert-led seminars. 

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By engaging you in such activities, Immerse Education ensures that you enhance your skills in creativity, strategic planning, problem-solving, and communication. Past cohorts shot footage with professional cameras on the streets of Manhattan, then edited it in a high-end studio with seasoned advertising specialists.

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Why it stands out: The summer school will expose you to different marketing and media formats, thus helping you decide the best career path for you in the field of marketing. 

3. Young Founders Lab

Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: This program is 100% virtual, with live, interactive workshops
Eligibility: The program is currently open to all high school students
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer, fall, winter, and spring
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort. You can access the application link here!

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The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work towards building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a complex problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X.

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Apart from building the start-up itself, you will also participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops and skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an excellent opportunity to delve into the world of business in high school and have a space to explore multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that lead to a successful business. You can check out the brochure for the program here.

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Why it stands out: You work on building a startup with expert mentorship.

4. Fordham University - BrandUp!: The Superpower of Personal Branding

Location: Fordham University, Rose Hill campus, Bronx, NY
Cost/Stipend: Varies by residential or commuter option; see Fordham’s Summer Leaders Academy fees
Program Dates: July 20th to July 24th, 2026 (the June 2026 session was cancelled)
Deadline: May 1st, 2026 for course and housing; May 15th, 2026 for course only
Eligibility: High school students who have completed their first year of high school; international eligibility not specified

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Fordham University’s BrandUp! is a five-day, non-credit course that shows you how to build a personal brand and use your digital presence for college admissions and career success. Taught by marketing professional and TEDx speaker Stacey Ross Cohen, the course covers how to write a concise personal branding statement, observe branding and marketing strategies in practice, and apply branding principles to business ventures. 

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As part of Fordham’s Summer Leaders Academy, you’ll also join college application sessions, career exploration with Fordham’s Career Services office, and community-building social activities. The week ends with personal brand presentations. If New York appeals to you, you can explore more marketing and entertainment programs in New York for high school students.

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Why it stands out: You get a focused week on personal branding with a marketing professional, plus college prep and campus life at Fordham.

5. UIC Business Summer Programs: Everybody Wants to Be a Marketer

Location: University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free; breakfast and lunch provided
Program Dates: One day; June 25th, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Deadline: May 5th (2026 cycle)
Eligibility: Students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade in fall 2026 with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA, an interest in business, and interest in attending UIC; international eligibility not specified

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UIC Business’s marketing summer program introduces you to marketing careers in a single, fast-paced day on campus. You’ll explore how marketers bring data and people together, and how your creativity can make an impact inside an organization. 

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In a recent session, 43 students worked through an interactive introduction to marketing strategy, branding, sales, and artificial intelligence alongside faculty and current students. The day also includes a campus tour, giving you a feel for studying business at UIC.

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Why it stands out: It offers a free, low-pressure first look at marketing careers through a university business school, with faculty and current students on hand.

6. HKBU Summer Programmes for High School Students 2026

Location: Online (Hong Kong Baptist University)
Cost/Stipend: Free
Program Dates: 1 to 2 sessions between June 13th and June 28th, 2026
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Rising seniors entering their final year of high school, or final-year students graduating in late 2026 or early 2027; each school may send up to two students per programme; some programmes require related background or Chinese proficiency

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Engage in a range of online programmes at Hong Kong Baptist University, offered by faculties and schools including the School of Business and the School of Communication. You’ll attend live sessions online at scheduled times, exploring a subject while discovering your interests and strengths. If you complete all sessions, you’ll receive a Certificate of Completion from HKBU and the faculty or school that runs your programme. 

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Since it’s open only to rising seniors and final-year students, it’s a program to plan for a year or two after you turn 15.

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Why it stands out: What sets the HKBU Summer Programmes for High School Students 2026 apart is its completely online format, allowing students to access learning from Hong Kong Baptist University at no cost.

7. WVU Media Camp (West Virginia University)

Location: West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Cost/Stipend: $450 in 2025, including three nights’ lodging at WVU Oakland Hall on the Evansdale Campus, meals, and activities
Program Dates: Four days; the most recently posted camp ran June 23rd to June 26th, 2025
Deadline: May 23rd for the 2025 camp; newer dates not yet posted
Eligibility: High school students; international eligibility not specified

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Set at West Virginia University, WVU Media Camp offers high school students the opportunity to enhance their communication skills in an engaging environment. You’ll learn the fundamentals of advertising and public relations, journalism, and sports and adventure media through workshops on writing, photography, video, broadcasting, and social media strategy. 

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You’ll actively participate in activities designed to improve your storytelling and gain practical experience in media production. This immersive experience takes place over four days, where you will collaborate with peers and instructors on creative projects. If you’d like to keep building media experience, you can explore these media internships for high school students.

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Why it stands out: The program includes three nights’ lodging at WVU Oakland Hall on the Evansdale Campus, giving you a taste of college life while you learn about media.

8. Future Leaders in Communication and Information (FLCI) (University of Tennessee)

Location: University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: June 2nd to June 5th, 2026
Deadline: April 10th (2026 cycle)
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; international eligibility not specified

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The Future Leaders in Communication and Information program is an immersive three-day program that introduces you to communication and information through workshops with university faculty and staff. You’ll work in teams to design a campaign based on the four schools within the College of Communication and Information. 

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In addition, the program includes college readiness workshops and leadership development activities that help you plan your next steps. You’ll also connect with industry leaders who can help you understand potential career pathways.

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Why it stands out: It gives rising juniors and seniors a short, campaign-focused introduction to communication careers with University of Tennessee faculty.

9. Content Creator’s Toolbox, Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Tennessee

Location: Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 20 high school students each summer
Program Dates: One-week intensive in the summer
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students; the workshop has been offered through the Emerald Youth Foundation’s Calling and Career program; international eligibility not specified

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The Content Creator’s Toolbox is a one-week intensive program that focuses on the foundations of content creation in advertising and public relations. You’ll learn advertising and PR skills from Tombras School faculty while working with brands and practicing branding, filming, and editing social media content. 

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Past participants also visited the Tennessee Theatre as part of the experience. The small cohort encourages idea-sharing and collaboration among participants. If social media is your main interest, you can compare it with these social media internships for high school students.

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Why it stands out: The Content Creator’s Toolbox gives a small group of 20 high school students a focused week of content creation for brands with Tombras School faculty.

10. Advertising and Public Relations Workshop (University of Missouri)

Location: Missouri School of Journalism, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Program Dates: June 21st to June 26th, 2026
Deadline: 2027 registration not yet open
Eligibility: High school students nationwide; international eligibility not specified

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The Advertising and Public Relations Workshop at the University of Missouri explores the world of strategic communication over one week on campus. You’ll learn what it takes to put together creative, research-based advertising and public relations campaigns for a client. 

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The workshop follows the Missouri Method of learning by doing, with School of Journalism faculty and industry professionals guiding your work. As you navigate this dynamic environment, you will gain insights into various roles within an advertising agency. By the end of the program, you’ll develop project management, teamwork, and creative thinking skills.

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Why it stands out: The workshop uses the Missouri Method of learning by doing, so you build campaign skills by actually doing the work.

11. Summer Media Academy at the University of Georgia

Location: University of Georgia, Athens, GA
Cost/Stipend: $530 to $1,255 per camp, depending on day or overnight option; limited need-based financial aid
Program Dates: Weeklong camps; Entertainment and Media Studies and Multimedia Journalism ran June 8th to June 12th, 2026, and Broadcast Journalism ran June 15th to June 19th, 2026
Deadline: Rolling registration
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 17; no prior experience required; international eligibility not specified

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The Summer Media Academy, run with UGA’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, offers weeklong camps in broadcast journalism, multimedia journalism, advertising and public relations, and entertainment and media studies. 

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In Entertainment and Media Studies, for example, you’ll explore careers in film, television, radio, and streaming while analyzing which stories are worth telling and why. Each camp offers university-level instruction from Grady College faculty, with day and overnight options. This environment encourages creativity and critical thinking while building a network among fellow students.

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Why it stands out: You can choose a weeklong media track, from entertainment studies to multimedia journalism, with university-level instruction from Grady College.

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12. Advertising and Public Relations - University of Georgia

Location: UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel, Athens, GA
Cost: $530 to $1,255 depending on day or overnight option; limited need-based financial aid available
Program Dates: June 15th to June 19th, 2026
Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students aged 14 to 17; no prior experience required; international eligibility not specified

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In Advertising and Public Relations, you’ll explore how advertising and PR professionals develop persuasive communication strategies across traditional and digital media. You’ll receive university-level instruction and industry insights from faculty at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. During the week, you’ll develop a complete advertising and public relations campaign, moving from initial strategy through execution. 

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You’ll work on audience targeting, message development, media planning, persuasive storytelling, and ethical communication. You’ll also explore potential careers in advertising, public relations, and media communication while developing practical skills as a writer, creative problem solver, decision-maker, and communicator.

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Why it stands out: You’ll create a complete advertising and PR campaign while learning directly from university journalism and communication faculty.

13. Business Strategies and Cross-Cultural Management, HKU Summer Institute

Location: The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (face-to-face; residential hall for ages 15+ or optional hotel)
Cost/Stipend: HKD 15,800 programme fee; HKD 400 application fee; 10% early bird discount by February 7th
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selected candidates may be invited for a Zoom interview; the 2026 programme filled
Program Dates: July 21st to July 31st, 2026
Deadline: April 3rd for non-local students; May 31st for local students (2026 cycle)
Eligibility: S3 to S5 / Year 10 to 12 / Grade 9 to 11; open to local and non-local students who meet English proficiency requirements

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The Business Strategies and Cross-Cultural Management program at the University of Hong Kong provides an introduction to key academic frameworks and concepts in business strategy and management. Topics include sales and marketing strategy, branding strategy, advertising and public relations, digital marketing, and customer profiling and consumer behaviour analysis. 

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Through teamwork and presentations, you’ll apply these ideas to business challenges, and the program ends with a capstone project. Optional one-on-one consultations and enrichment events round out the two weeks. By the end of the program, you’ll receive a Certificate of Attendance and develop critical thinking, teamwork, and presentation skills.

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Why it stands out: It packs branding, advertising, and consumer behaviour into two weeks of business strategy at HKU, ending in a capstone project.

14. Brandywine LaunchBox Youth Camps

Location: Penn State Brandywine, Media, PA
Cost/Stipend: Scholarship-based camps funded by grants from the Meridian Fund and Halliday Properties Youth Programs
Program Dates: Summer; for ages 15 to 18, Launch Camp ran June 15th to July 3rd, 2026, Monday to Friday, 1 to 5 p.m.
Deadline: June 8th (2026 Launch Camp)
Eligibility: Ages 11 to 18, with separate sessions for ages 15 to 18; international eligibility not specified

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The Brandywine LaunchBox Youth Camps focus on entrepreneurship and podcast creation, providing participants with immersive learning experiences. In Launch Camp, you’ll design a mini clothing collection, develop a brand identity, and create a basic launch and marketing plan for your own t-shirt line.

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Teens aged 15 to 18 can also join Opportunity to Launch, a business program built around group activities and peer circles. The Audio Visual Program teaches you to create a podcast, from recording and mixing to branding and marketing it. You’ll build confidence and practical skills you can use in future academic and career pursuits.

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Why it stands out: You’ll create and launch your own t-shirt line or podcast, giving you a tangible project to showcase your learning.

15. Global Business Strategies in the Digital Age (HKU Summer Institute)

Location: The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong (face-to-face; residential hall for ages 15+ or optional hotel)
Cost/Stipend: HKD 15,800 programme fee; HKD 400 application fee; 10% early bird discount by February 7th
Program Dates: June 22nd to July 3rd, 2026
Deadline: April 3rd for non-local students; May 31st for local students (2026 cycle)
Eligibility: S3 to S5 / Year 10 to 12 / Grade 9 to 11; open to local and non-local students who meet English proficiency requirements

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Global Business Strategies in the Digital Age introduces you to core business strategy frameworks, including sales and marketing, accounting and finance, human resource management, product development, and cross-cultural management. In the second week, you can choose a Marketing stream covering branding strategy, consumer behaviour, product marketing, digital marketing, and advertising and PR, or a Digital Transformation stream. 

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The program emphasizes teamwork and presentation skills, ending with a capstone project. Your peers will include both local and international students, enriching discussions with diverse perspectives. By the end of the program, you’ll develop analytical thinking, effective communication, and teamwork skills.

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Why it stands out: You can choose between a marketing stream or a digital transformation stream to tailor your learning experience to your interests.

Frequently asked questions: Marketing Summer Schools for 15 Year Olds

Can 15-year-olds join marketing summer programs?

Yes, though age limits vary a lot from program to program. Bocconi requires you to be 15 by the start date, UGA’s camps accept ages 14 to 17, and Penn State Brandywine runs separate sessions for ages 15 to 18. Others, like HKBU’s online programmes, are open only to rising seniors, so check eligibility before you apply. For more options at your age, browse these summer programs for 15 year olds.

Are there free marketing summer programs for high school students?

Yes, a few options cost nothing or very little. UIC Business’s one-day marketing program is free and includes breakfast and lunch, HKBU’s online programmes are free, and Penn State Brandywine’s camps are scholarship-based. UGA also offers limited need-based financial aid for its media camps. If you’d rather earn while you learn, you can look at these summer internships for 15 year olds.

What do you learn at a marketing summer school?

Most marketing summer schools teach you how brands reach and persuade people. Depending on the program, you might build a full advertising and PR campaign, study consumer behaviour and branding, or create content for social media. Many also include team projects and presentations, like HKU’s capstone project or Mizzou’s campaigns for a client. You’ll often leave with a portfolio piece or presentation you can talk about later.

Can international students attend marketing summer schools?

Yes, several programs welcome students from abroad. Bocconi accepts high school students from Italy and other countries, and HKU’s Summer Institute programmes are open to non-local students who meet its English requirements. Immerse Education's Career Insights pathway in Marketing & Entertainment is open to students aged 15 to 18 from around the world at Barnard College in New York. Many US university camps don’t state an international policy, so contact them directly before applying.

Do marketing summer programs help with college applications?

They can, especially when you leave with something specific to show. A finished campaign, a branded t-shirt line, or a capstone presentation gives you concrete examples for essays and interviews. Programs like Fordham’s BrandUp! even focus on using your personal brand for college admissions. What matters most is being able to explain what you created and what you learned from it.

When should you apply for marketing summer schools?

Start looking in the winter, since many deadlines fall between February and May. In the 2026 cycle, HKU’s non-local deadline was April 3rd, FLCI closed April 10th, Fordham’s course-and-housing deadline was May 1st, and UIC closed May 5th. Some programs stay open longer, like Penn State Brandywine, which accepted Launch Camp applications until June 8th. Make a list in the fall so you can plan around each program’s dates.

Finding your place in marketing this summer

Marketing rewards curiosity about people, and testing that curiosity at fifteen gives you years to explore where it might take you.

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The best marketing summer schools for 15 year olds let you build a campaign, pitch a brand, or shoot an ad with working professionals.

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Check each program’s age limits and deadlines early, since several fill quickly and some only open to students a year or two older.

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To keep exploring where your creative and strategic skills could lead, browse our Career Exploration blogs for guides on marketing, media, and business careers.