Many aspiring PR and ad professionals dream of ultimately making their big break with a career in a world-renowned city like New York or Los Angeles. However, those looking for a more reasonable option may find themselves intrigued by Chicago. This city offers a unique combination: the opportunity to build a meaningful career in a major market without sacrificing community, balance or accessibility.
For decades, Chicago has been known as the “City of Big Shoulders,” a nickname coined by poet Carl Sandburg in his 1914 poem “Chicago”, where he portrayed the city as “stormy, husky, [and] brawling” — a place defined by strength and resilience. More than a century later, that identity still shapes how the city operates, particularly within its professional culture. Unlike the polished, fast-paced environments often associated with coastal cities, Chicago retains a grounded, hardworking ethos. As an advertising professional, Nic Colvin has spent the past five years working in Chicago’s agency world, describing the industry here as, “a bit more blue-collar… not as flashy, but in a good way.”
Because the city facilitates this realistic feel by blending global industry scale with an approachable work culture, it attracts talent that might otherwise be turned off by the idea of living in a large city. “Chicago is kind of that middleman… a big city, but it feels small,” said Kaitlyn Mac Donald, a PR professional specializing in influencer strategy at Weber Shandwick in Chicago. That balance is echoed across experience levels. “Everybody tends to know everybody. You network really, really fast,” added Colvin.
Together, their experiences paint a picture of a city that is not only rich in opportunity but also deeply livable.
A City Full of Opportunity—If You Know Where to Look
Chicago’s communications industry should not be discounted in the global market. It differs from the West Coast entertainment niche and the East Coast corporate niche. It thrives in consumer-packaged goods (CPG), such as food, beverages, and personal care products.
“People forget how many opportunities there are here,” Mac Donald said. “There’s a ton of jobs in PR, marketing and digital that you just don’t even realize.” Brands such as Mars Wrigley, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, and Kellonova offer Chicago professionals the chance to work on globally recognized products early in their careers.
Colvin emphasized that these opportunities are not just plentiful, they’re meaningful. “You get to work on major brands that operate on a global scale… [and] do stuff that drives a business” he said. That emphasis on effectiveness, rather than just creativity, defines much of Chicago’s agency culture.
For Sadie Schwarm, a public relations professional at the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago’s industry diversity made it the ideal place to explore her career path. “Chicago felt like a good balance between East Coast and West Coast,” she said. “It’s such a vibrant city, and the people have been really down to earth, but also ambitious and creative.” Her career journey reflects the city’s flexibility; from small agencies to in-house roles, Schwarm has built experience across the full spectrum of the industry. “No career path is going to be the same” she shares.
Breaking Into the Industry: A Nonlinear Path
With the plethora of opportunities Chicago offers its professionals, it capitalizes on the notion that there is no one script to follow when breaking into the industry. This is emphasized by all three professionals, noting that their early careers did not turn out as anticipated.
For Mac Donald, that meant embracing a post-graduate internship, something she initially hesitated to pursue. “I wasn’t sure an internship was for me,” she admitted. “But I ended up getting it and loving it… You learn so much in a short period of time.” That experience ultimately led to a full-time role and rapid career growth. “An internship… sets you up for a full-time position,” she said.
Schwarm echoed a similar sentiment, noting that timelines vary for everyone. “Some people get a job right away, some people start with internships, and some people start in a different city,” she said. “It’s important to realize that’s okay.” Her own path included internships and time spent outside Chicago before ultimately building her career in the city.
Colvin added that persistence and intention matter more than immediate results. “If it’s something that you’re truly passionate about, stick to that. You’ll make it happen,” he said.
Culture: A Collaborative, Grounded Industry
A key feature of the professional scene in Chicago is a sense of stabilization. Compared to the hustle and bustle of some other major US cities, Chicago tends to emphasize substance over spectacle. It feels more like a community than a competition.
This mindset carries into workplace dynamics as well. While agencies compete for major clients, individuals often support one another. “It’s competitive from a business standpoint, but people are willing to help each other,” Colvin said.
Networking plays a central role in that community, but it doesn’t always look formal. “Sometimes I didn’t realize I was networking, but I was,” Schwarm said. Whether through coworkers, alum connections, or casual conversations, relationships develop naturally over time.
For Mac Donald, those relationships were instrumental in launching her career. “I have my job because of my connections,” she said. “I wouldn’t have even known it existed without them.” Her advice to young professionals is simple: “Take a meeting with every single person that you can.”
Life Beyond the Office: Where Chicago Shines
What truly sets Chicago apart from its fellow urban competition is the scenery and liveliness that occur outside of the office. The city can shift from vibrant to standard depending on the day and the mood of the individual, as all professionals note.
For Schwarm, much of that experience lies in the neighborhoods. “Your life is really in the neighborhoods,” she said. Areas like Lincoln Park, Wicker Park and Logan Square each offer their own character, from local restaurants to cultural events.
Mac Donald echoed that sentiment, pointing to her own neighborhood in Lakeview. “If you ask anyone in Chicago, their favorite thing to do in the summer is by the lake,” she said. Her routine includes workout classes, dinners with friends, Cubs games and exploring new restaurants. “Chicago is a big food scene,” she added.
Colvin emphasized the city’s variety of entertainment, from live music to sports. “There’s always something going on,” he said. “You have to limit yourself, because there are endless things you could do.”
In the same vein, all three expressed the importance of balance. Whether it’s taking a walk along the lake, staying in for the night, or picking up a hobby, slowing down is just as important as staying busy. “Having a balance of those factors is the best thing that you can do,” Schwarm said.
Advice for Future Professionals
The overarching feeling that reflects Chicago remains consistent with all who wind up in the Windy City: it is a space that “inspires curiosity, encourages initiative and offers ample opportunities.
Asking questions, seeking out new experiences and staying engaged can set young professionals apart early in their careers. “Always stay curious,” Mac Donald advised. She also encouraged others to speak up. “It’s okay, and encouraged, to raise your hand,” she said.
Colvin emphasized adaptability, particularly in an industry that is constantly evolving. “Be okay with change and be able to move with it,” he said.
And beyond career advice, all three encouraged young professionals to embrace the city itself fully. Chicago is more than just a place to work, it’s a place to live, explore and grow.
As Mac Donald put it, “You don’t always get to live in one of the biggest cities… take advantage of it.”
