Tombras School Celebrates 30 Years of Networking Trips to New York City

For 30 years, the Tombras School of Advertising and Public Relations has provided students with invaluable networking trips to New York City. These experiences offer opportunities to connect with industry professionals and include tours of various agencies and departments.

This year, 40 students—20 each from advertising and public relations—visited notable companies including Goodby, Silverstein and Partners, CashApp, IBM, Edelman NYC, Omnicom, and Tombras NYC. During the trip, students had the chance to connect with industry leaders and University of Tennessee, Knoxville, alumni living in the city.

Public relations students and faculty with Brandi Boatner, the manager of digital and advocacy communications at IBM.

Students and Alumni in Public Relations

Students following the public relations track visited the Museum of Public Relations, CashApp (Block, Inc.), IBM, Edelman NYC, Tombras, and Omnicom.

Marin Snead, a public relations senior, is in her third year at UT. She previously participated in the Tombras School’s networking trip to Atlanta and also wanted to experience the New York trip so she could compare the two cities’ professional environments.

“I thought the work being done in Atlanta was much more in-depth,” she explained. “In Atlanta, we got a lot more case studies, while in New York the focus was on what it’s like to work in the city. Living in New York adds a unique layer to the experience, whereas Atlanta was centered around specific PR campaigns.”

Marin Sneed at Edelman in New York

Snead’s favorite visit during the trip was to Omnicom, which provided extensive insights into the companies the global marketing communications firm works with, such as MMC, FleischmanHillard, and Porter Novelli. 

“I loved hearing from FleischmanHillard and Porter Novelli. They represent the track I want to pursue, focusing on big business PR. I found the case study they did for The Almond Board of California particularly fascinating,” she stated.

Snead aspires to work in New York someday and is drawn to its vibrant arts scene and public relations opportunities. 

“I want to be in New York because I love theater and am obsessed with the arts. It’s the arts capital of the world, and it’s where the best PR opportunities are. It may be expensive, but it’s an incredible place to live,” she said with a laugh.

Christie Sithiphone, who graduated from UT in 2009 with a public relations degree, is currently the vice president of inclusion and engagement at MMC. She was excited to bring students to Omnicom’s corporate office.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to have the students visit Omnicom, one of the world’s largest marketing communications holding companies. We have the opportunity to showcase our firm, work, and culture, which is incredibly exciting,” she said.

Sithiphone, who is based in Atlanta, believes it’s important for students to visit such significant places as they explore their career options. 

Christie Sithiphone and PR students at Omnicom

“I think it’s wonderful, especially for students to come to a city like New York where there are numerous opportunities. They can meet executives from various companies. The industry is so vast and being able to learn about the differences between in-house and agency work, particularly in New York —the hub of everything—is a fantastic opportunity,” Sithiphone added.

Madison Foshie is a junior studying public relations. Although she has visited the Tombras Agency in Knoxville, she hasn’t had much exposure to other public relations agencies. Foshie believes that comparing the various types of agencies will be beneficial in her search for a job after graduation.

“Seeing a PR agency in action helped me reflect on whether this is truly the career path I want to pursue. I enjoy public relations, but I think many students go through a sort of midlife crisis before graduating, questioning if this is really what they want to do. This visit opened my eyes and reassured me that this is a field I can see myself in,” Foshie said.

Madison Foshie at Omnicom

Foshie said she connected with some of the work IBM is doing and enjoyed learning about the company’s partnerships. She said the iconic technology company has an atmosphere where she could envision herself working.

“I loved meeting with Brandi Boatner, the manager of digital and advocacy communications at IBM. She was so funny and genuine,” Foshie stated.

Foshie loved seeing the differences between Tennessee and New York and the trip allowed her to imagine what living in the bigger city might be like. After visiting various agencies each day, Foshie made a point to visit landmarks and see some shows.

“I grew up in Knoxville, so it’s just very different here, and I enjoyed that. I loved navigating through the city, exploring all the historical sites, and attending Broadway shows,” she explained.

Students and Alumni in Advertising

Students in advertising visited Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, VaynerMedia, McCann, Orchard, Tombras-NYC, and Publicis Groupe.

Alumna Hayley Howell (’16) is an account director at GS&P, where she has worked on numerous nationally recognized projects. Currently, she manages the account for Zaxby’s, one of several national brands that collaborate with GS&P. Howell has been based in New York for several years and was grateful to have the opportunity to meet with students.

“It’s wonderful to have my alma mater come to visit,” she expressed. “This is the first time I’ve had the chance to host, so it’s exciting. It’s fun to see the students arrive so eager and enthusiastic to learn and explore the industry. As someone who moved from the South to New York—not immediately after graduating, but a couple of years later—I’m proud of my journey, and I’m thrilled to be a part of this experience.”

Alumna Hayley Howell (’16) with students at Alumni Reception

Howell encourages students who go on these types of networking trips to ask questions and figure out not only what kind of work they wish to pursue, but also what companies they can see themselves working at.

“I hope they recognize that, as we discussed, each agency is unique yet we share many similarities. It’s important to find a culture that aligns with your needs and what you’re looking for. Advertising can be fun and challenging, and no two days are the same,” she said. 

Connor Durso is a junior at UT majoring in advertising with minors in graphic design and business administration. Originally from Westchester, NY, Durso saw the trip as the perfect opportunity to experience New York City through a professional lens.

“One of the most eye-opening parts of the trip was visiting agencies of all sizes and learning about the key differences between them. It helped me understand the fast-paced, creative environment of the industry in a whole new way,” he stated. “My favorite visit was to VaynerMedia, where I was impressed by the agency’s culture. From the moment we walked in, the energy was palpable. What stood out to me was how VaynerMedia fosters creativity and collaboration while producing high-quality work. Their emphasis on innovation and a positive work culture left a lasting impression, and it made me realize how important it is to find a workplace that values both professional growth and personal well-being.”

As someone passionate about advertising, Durso knew the trip would offer invaluable insights into the industry and give him the chance to make real-world connections. The trip also taught him how to be adaptable and network effectively in the fast-paced advertising world. Navigating challenges and building genuine relationships proved to be just as crucial as the technical skills learned in school.

Connor Durso and other advertising students at GS&P

“Looking ahead, I plan to move back to New York after graduation and pursue a job with a large agency. I’m eager to leverage the experiences and connections I’ve made at UT to find opportunities in advertising that align with my passion. My advice to anyone hesitant to apply for this trip would be to take the leap; it’s a hands-on experience that can’t be replicated in the classroom. Be open to every moment, whether it’s exploring new places, meeting industry professionals, or simply soaking in the city. You’ll get so much more out of it if you stay engaged and curious,” Durso said. 

Overall the trip was an incredible experience that Durso will carry with him throughout his career. He is grateful for everything he learned and excited to bring those insights back to his studies and future work in the industry.

“My time in Tennessee has been a rewarding journey, and the NYC trip was certainly a highlight,” he said.

30 Years of Making the Real World Into Your Classroom

The faculty and staff of the Tombras School are grateful to the alumni and friends who helped make this experience the best possible for the students. This trip would not have been possible without the connections established by the College of Communication and Information, as well as the faculty and staff of the Tombras School, over the past 32 years (Note: the Tombras School missing the opportunity for the trip in 2021 and 2022 due to the pandemic). If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the Tombras School’s networking trips, please click here.