This summer, eight UCF Ad‐PR majors will have the career opportunity of a lifetime by securing internships with national firms through a highly competitive program called MAIP.

The Multi‐cultural Advertising Internship Program (MAIP), recruits and places students of color in national advertising agencies each summer. MAIP interns are flown to each host city, then to New York City for graduation, provided housing and paid $4,000 for the 10‐week internship.

Each summer, MAIP places about 130 interns from a pool of nearly 400 applicants.

Between 2005 and 2009, 10 UCF students majoring in Advertising‐Public Relations were selected for this competitive national internship program sponsored by the American Association of Advertising Agencies (4As).

With promotion and consistent recruiting by Ad‐PR Instructor Joan McCain, UCF Ad‐PR majors broke records for MAIP participation. In December 2009, a record 14 students applied. In February nine students were notified that they were semi‐finalists and would be granted an interview to determine if they are a MAIP finalist. This was the second record breaking news. By April, all nine students were offered positions — a UCF sweep. One student did decline the offer because it did not match his career goals.

A UCF student was offered the only internship in public relations in the country, and another student secured the highly competitive creative position of copywriter. Three students will spend their summer in New York City; three will be in Chicago, one in Dearborn, Mich., and one in Los Angeles.

The students began their internship on June 7, and will all meet in New York City at MAIP headquarters for a graduation ceremony on Aug. 12.

“MAIP offers the students an incredibly opportunity,” said McCain. “It will truly open doors for their professional futures. But it also enhances the reputation of UCF. These students will stand up at graduation — among other MAIP interns from older universities with larger programs — and say, ‘I am from the University of Central Florida.’ After hearing it eight times, those advertising professionals in the room will definitely know who we are — and how wonderful our students are.”

2010 MAIP Intern Placements:

  • Marie Arias, Media Planning, GroupM, New York City
  • Elizabeth Crespo, Media Planning, Universal McCann, Los Angeles
  • Darius Lana, Public Relations, GolinHarris, Chicago, Ill.
  • Vanessa Manzon, Account Management, The Kaplan Thaler Group, Ltd., New York City
  • Gustavo Marrero, Account Management, Draft FCB, Chicago Ill.
  • Sarah Peerani, Account Management, Dentsu McGarry Bowen, New York City
  • Kristina Reyes, Copywriting, Team Detroit, Dearborn, Mich.
  • Christina Thomas, Media Planning, Starcom MediaVest Group, Chicago, Ill.

    • McCain is already recruiting for next year’s pool of MAIP applicants.