This year, my fellow UHD students and I had the opportunity to participate in the American Advertising Federation (AAF) District 10 Competition, an experience that pushed our team creatively and professionally. Students from 10 universities across Texas gathered to develop a full marketing campaign in just eight hours, working under real world pressure to research, conceptualize and execute a cohesive strategy.
For me, competing as a UHD student was an unforgettable milestone. Working alongside creative, like-minded students helped me grow not only as a marketing professional but also as a collaborator. On the second day, we connected with industry veterans with more than ten years of experience. They reviewed our resumes, offered tailored feedback, and guided us toward the internships, roles, and agencies that aligned with our goals.
UHD students proudly earned the top three placements: Tony Medina won first place, I earned second, and Celeste Monterroso took third. Reflecting on her experience, Monterroso said, “This was my second year competing and this time my team took home 3rd place! I'm grateful for the growth, the teamwork, and the support along the way. This experience reminded me why I love what I do!”
Medina added, “I’m not perfect, but I’m always improving. I’ve learned not to stress over who I thought I should be and to own my emotions instead of putting them on others. Just like in marketing, growth takes patience and strategy. Al final del día, no hay mal que por bien no venga.” (Translation: "In the end, there's no bad that doesn't lead to good," or, more colloquially, "Every cloud has a silver lining.")
Overall, the competition strengthened our skills, broadened our network, and reaffirmed our passion for marketing.