2026 Ogilvy School of Creativity High School Program

OGILVY SCHOOL OF CREATIVITY (OSC) is a 2-part program designed to teach Chicago high school students how they can turn their creativity into a career. 

Part 1: VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL SERIES, APRIL 2026 

A weekly virtual Educational Series hosted by a panel of Ogilvy team members who will introduce you to the main departments of any major creative advertising agency and explain how these departments come together to make meaningful brand advertising work. 

Wednesday, April 1, 4-5:30pm CST Virtual Session: Introduction to Advertising 

We’ll introduce you to the world of advertising and share how everyone has a unique path into the ad business. We’ll talk about what it’s like working in an ad agency and the importance of agency support teams like Human Resources and Global Inclusion. Plus, you’ll hear from Account Management professionals and learn how they are creative problem solvers with a focus on building client relationships and championing big ideas. 

Wednesday, April 8, 4-5:30pm CST Virtual Session: PR, Media and New Business Overview 

We’ll discuss influencers, brand activations, strategic media planning+buying and the agency team critical to fueling ad business growth! 

Wednesday, April 15, 4-5:30pm CST Virtual Session: Strategy Overview 

Great ideas start with great insights. Learn how strategists work to uncover human truths and provide strategic direction based on data and research to help keep advertising campaigns on target and on brand. 

Wednesday, April 22, 4-5:30pm CST Virtual Session: Creative & Production Overview* 

You may be an artist, a poet, a skater, a graphic novelist, a TikTok creator, a film maker, a photographer, a DJ, a drone operator, a clever someone who loves coming up with ideas, telling stories or someone who loves helping bring ideas to life. In this session, we’ll show you how to turn your creative skills into a career in advertising. 

WHAT YOU’ll LEARN 

• The power of creativity and how it’s used to solve business problems 

• How an advertising agency operates  

• The skills helpful for a career in advertising/marketing 

• Introductions to Ogilvy’s recruiter, Ogilvy team members across the North America offices and Early Career networking and opportunities 

OSC EDUCATIONAL SERIES ELIGIBILITY 

• All Chicago area high school students welcome to join the Part 1 Virtual Educational Series to learn about advertising 

• Attending the Part 1 Virtual Educational Series is a pre-requisite for those students eligible to apply for the Part 2 Paid Apprenticeship 

*Instructions on how to apply for the Paid Apprenticeship Program will be shared at this session 

Part 2: PAID APPRENTICESHIP, JULY 13 - AUGUST 6, 2026 

The OSC program continues with 10 Paid Apprenticeship spots where eligible students who apply and are accepted will gain real hands-on experience at Ogilvy Chicago. OSC Apprentices will work on real client projects, learn to develop and present their ideas, be exposed to mentorship, team building, career coaching, networking, field trips to media and production partners and so much more! 

The OSC Paid Apprenticeship will take place from Monday, July 13 through Thursday, August 6, 2026. Apprentices will be able to work remotely on Mondays & Fridays, but will be required to be in office Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.  

The OSC Paid Apprenticeship application opens on Wednesday, April 22 during the final OSC Educational Series session and instructions for those students eligible to apply will be shared at this session 

WHAT YOU’LL GET 

• PAID experience inside an advertising agency working on real client projects 

• The opportunity to develop, produce and present your own ideas to an audience 

• Collaboration, creative problem solving, strategic thinking & storytelling experience  

• Mentorship, Career Coaching, Networking 

• Connections to advertising/marketing media and production partners 

• Field trips to creative and inspiring places 

• Monthly CTA pass to cover travel to/from Ogilvy’s Fulton Market office 

• Lunch will be provided on in-office days 

OSC PAID APPRENTICESHIP ELIGIBILITY 

• All Chicago area Black and African American high school students who are at least age 16 are eligible to apply for the Part 2 Paid Apprenticeship 

• Attending the Part 1 Virtual Educational Series is a pre-requisite for applying for the Part 2 Paid Apprenticeship