The moment BASCA students drove past Silver Cup Studios on the ED Koch Queensboro Bridge, it was not just the bright city lights and loud city noises that heightened their anticipation; it was the realization that this could be the moment when dreams meet reality.

For many students, this was their first opportunity to see the communication industry within reach.

“Growing up, I never thought working in New York City could be an option for me,” Ean Bowie, the social media chair of BASCA, shared.

BASCA, the Black Advertising & Strategic Communication Association, is a student led organization in the School of Communication. BASCA was created 13 years ago by Professor Osei Appiah.

BASCA’s mission is to lead more students to aspire to and reach careers in advertising, media, PR and other fields within strategic communication by providing students with access to academic and professional mentors and creating opportunities for them to gain knowledge through networking and internships.

BASCA takes an annual professional development trip to expose students to endless career opportunities in communication related fields. Previously, they have visited cities including Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Atlanta.

In March , 19 students set sail for NYC from Columbus, Ohio. With an early morning departure from the Ohio Union, which was followed by an eight-hour Sprinter van ride filled with restless conversations, excitement grew as they drove past each new truck stop.

“It was so exciting to be able to create meaningful connections with our chosen sites,” Elisabeth-Christina Kearney, the president of BASCA, shared. “It was definitely a labor of love I will not forget.”

Throughout the trip, students visited leading companies including the Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center, Spotify, NBC, and MMC x RX Mosaic. Each visit provided a distinctive look into the communication industry; from graphic design with Eddie Kinloch of the Nets to creative project managing with Gil Arias at Spotify.

Students were invited into conference rooms and had conversations with professionals; a couple were even past BASCA members who once went on similar professional development trips. Students were exposed to an unfiltered look into career paths that altered the way many BASCA students viewed their own career dreams.

“This was never any place that I saw myself. I saw this role posted, I have no background in sports, no degree in sports, but the worst thing they can tell me is no, so I am going to try and see what happens,” Kayelyn Dyson, the community relations manager for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, shared about her decision to apply for the job.

Students left each company not only with just new connections but with key insights on how to carve out their own paths in the communications industry.

“Hearing from industry professionals was so impactful because I learned that it is completely okay to pivot and use your skill set in different ways than intended,” said Cole Grigsby, a sophomore studying strategic communication.

Beyond the professional visits, students were able to grow friendships with each other and strengthen their sense of community.

“Being able to hear and see everyone’s perspectives on New York City was my favorite part,” said Joe Peterson, a senior studying strategic communication.

Experiences like BASCA’s New York City trip reflect the School of Communication’s commitment to providing its students with the training and skills needed to harness the power of communication.

As the trip ended and students began the journey back to Columbus, the energy felt different; refreshed. Students stepped foot back on campus with a better understanding of how to connect what they learned in the classroom to real life.