This summer, we welcomed another group of students from Tutoring Chicago for our third annual Digital Marketing Summer Program.
What started as an idea to introduce high school students to the world of digital marketing has grown into one of our favorite annual traditions. Over the course of three weeks, students got an inside look at the industry, built new skills, and worked alongside Marcel Digital team members who were passionate about sharing what they do.
Three Years of Growing Together
When we launched the program in 2024, our goal was simple: create opportunities for students to explore careers they may not have otherwise been exposed to. Digital marketing touches nearly every industry, yet many students don't get the chance to learn what it actually involves or the wide variety of career paths it offers.
Now in its third year, the program has continued to evolve. Each summer, we've built on what we've learned to create an even more engaging experience, combining interactive lessons, hands-on activities, and real-world projects that encouraged students to think creatively and work as a team.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Throughout the three-week program, students explored a wide range of digital marketing topics, including:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
Paid Media
Analytics and Measurement
Content Strategy
AI
Careers in Digital Marketing
As part of the experience, students also visited our office in the historic Civic Opera House at 20 N. Wacker Drive, giving them the opportunity to experience a professional agency environment firsthand. Meeting the team in our workspace helped bring the lessons to life and offered a glimpse into what a career in digital marketing can look like day to day.
Along the way, they applied what they learned through collaborative exercises and a capstone project, where they developed and presented a digital marketing strategy to the Marcel team. It was an opportunity to put new ideas into action while building confidence in presenting, problem-solving, and teamwork.
A Partnership We're Proud Of
Our partnership with Tutoring Chicago has been at the heart of this program from the beginning. Their commitment to providing educational opportunities for students across Chicago aligns closely with Marcel Digital's belief in investing in our community and helping the next generation discover what's possible.
Just as important as the curriculum were the people behind it. Team members from across Marcel volunteered their time to teach sessions, mentor students, and share their own career journeys. Whether they were talking about SEO, analytics, paid media, development, or project management, each presenter helped students see that there's no single path into digital marketing.
Looking Ahead
As we wrapped up the third year of the Digital Marketing Summer Program, we couldn't have been prouder of everything this year's students accomplished. Over the course of three weeks, they gained new skills, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of the many opportunities available in digital marketing.
A huge thank you to Tutoring Chicago, our Marcel Digital volunteers, and the students who made this year's program such a rewarding experience. We're grateful to everyone who helped make the third annual Digital Marketing Summer Program a success, and we're already looking forward to welcoming another class next summer.
