Saidelis Mejia
Commencement: Spring 2015, Ceremony 5
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication with a track in Advertising and minors in Art and Marketing
Graduate of: School of Journalism and Mass Communication
When the recession hit, advertising major Saidelis Mejia’s immediate family was faced with many financial challenges that drastically changed her life. Those challenges only fueled her to be the best.
During her time at FIU, Saidelis held a part-time job while going to school full-time. She interned at leading advertising firms, earned top honors and awards, helped lead a student organization, was an active sister of Alpha Xi Delta and earned a 3.9 GPA. She has been able to pay for her degree through scholarships, winning education-based contests and receiving financial aid.
In summer 2012, Saidelis completed her first internship at Crea7ive Interactive Advertising. That led to a job with the firm. In fall 2013, she joined the in-house agency for FIU’s American Marketing Association (AMA), Roaring Concepts. Her team in the retail marketing class won the Target Case Competition, earning her a $500 scholarship.
In spring 2014, she became creative director of the FIU AMA chapter; won the AMA EBSCO Marketing Scholar Award along with a $3,000 scholarship; received the School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Outstanding Advertising Student Award; and completed an internship at Young & Rubicam. In summer 2014, she interned at Ogilvy & Mather.
Saidelis credits Professor Tim Birrittella as her mentor.
After graduation, Saidelis has her sights set on a career in advertising in New York City.