Coleman enrolled at Columbia University in New York City , from which he graduated in 1909 . After graduation , he worked as a journalist , first taking a position with the '' New York Sun . '' During the course of his work as a New York journalist , Coleman covered the New York garment workers strike of 1909-1910 as well as the catastrophic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1912 . These experiences had a radicalizing effect and not long after the Triangle fire he joined the Socialist Party of America ( SPA ) and — while still working for the '' Sun '' — Coleman began contributing articles to the SPA 's New York daily newspaper , the '' New York Call . '' Coleman left the '' Sun '' in 1913 and went to work in the field of advertising and public relations , first taking a position with the American Telephone and Telegraph Company , before leaving in 1914 to join the Frank Presbrey Advertising Agency . In 1916 , Coleman left the Presbrey agency to take a new position as a copywriter for the Berrien Advertising Agency . He would remain at that position until 1922 , interrupted only by a stint in the Army Engineers during World War I
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire of 1912
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire
McAlister Coleman