Written by: Emily Hedman

Getting Involved in AMA

Getting involved with the American Marketing Association (AMA) is a great experience whether you’re a team member or part of the Board of Directors.

While joining the board allows you to take on more responsibility and leadership within the organization, even being a member of AMA offers valuable opportunities to grow professionally and personally. From workshops and networking events to competitions with other collegiate chapters, AMA creates an environment where students can learn, collaborate, and gain real-world experience outside of the classroom.

One of the things that makes AMA unique is the range of opportunities available for members at different levels of involvement.

Some students attend meetings and workshops to build skills and expand their network, while others take a more active role by joining competition teams or pursuing leadership positions. This flexibility allows members to engage with the organization in a way that best fits their interests and goals, whether they are just getting started or looking to take on a larger leadership role

My Role as Secretary

As the current secretary, my role has given me the chance to contribute to the organization in a meaningful way while also developing skills that will be valuable in my future career.

As secretary, my main responsibility is helping keep the organization organized and running smoothly behind the scenes. One of my primary tasks is taking attendance at meetings and events, which helps track member engagement and participation throughout the semester.

While this might seem like a small task, it plays an important role in helping the board understand which events are most impactful and how members are staying involved.

Tracking attendance helps us see patterns in participation and better understand what opportunities resonate most with members who are consistently engaged versus those who may be newer to the organization.

Another major part of my role involves communication. I send out emails to members of the Marketing and Advertising Club (MAC) that include event reminders, updates, and important information about upcoming opportunities. Clear communication is essential for making sure members know what MAC and AMA have to offer and how they can participate.

These emails help keep everyone informed and ensure that members don’t miss out on workshops, competitions, or networking events.

Marketing Committee Involvement

In addition to my responsibilities as secretary, I am also part of the Marketing Committee.

This is one of my favorite parts of being in AMA because it allows me to apply creativity and marketing skills in a practical way. As part of the committee, I help create graphics and promotional materials for events, which are shared through email and on social media.

This role works closely with my responsibilities as secretary.

Since I’m already communicating directly with members through emails and announcements, helping create promotional materials allows me to contribute to both the messaging and the visuals that encourage students to attend events.

Working on marketing materials has given me hands-on experience with branding, messaging, and audience engagement.

It’s rewarding to see something you helped create show up in an email or on social media and then watch people actually attend the event because they saw the promotion. Experiences like this help bridge the gap between what we learn in class and how marketing works in real-world situations.

Opportunities to Compete and Gain Experience

One of the most exciting opportunities AMA offers is the chance to compete against other collegiate chapters across the country.

These competitions allow students to apply marketing concepts to real-world challenges while collaborating with a team. Competing at the national level also gives students the opportunity to represent their university and connect with other students who are passionate about marketing.

For many students, these competitions are a highlight of their AMA experience because they provide hands-on learning that goes beyond the classroom.

Working on a competition team requires creativity, strategic thinking, and collaboration. It’s also a great way to build confidence, since you’re presenting ideas and solutions that could be evaluated alongside work from other universities.

Professional Development and Workshops

In addition to competitions, MAC regularly hosts workshops and professional development events throughout the semester.

These workshops cover a variety of topics related to marketing, career development, and professional skills. Some workshops focus on practical skills like building your personal brand or developing an elevator pitch. Others bring in guest speakers or industry professionals who share insights about their careers and experiences in the marketing field.

Participating in these workshops has been incredibly valuable for me.

They provide opportunities to learn new skills while also helping students feel more prepared for internships and future careers. It’s one thing to learn about marketing in a classroom setting, but hearing directly from professionals and practicing real-world skills makes the experience much more impactful.

Personal Growth and Confidence

Personally, one of the biggest benefits of being involved in AMA—and especially serving on the board—has been the personal growth and confidence it has helped me develop. Being part of a leadership team requires collaboration, communication, and responsibility. Whether it’s contributing ideas during meetings, helping plan events, or working on marketing materials, each experience pushes you to step outside of your comfort zone and develop new skills.

Working alongside other motivated and passionate students has also been a great part of the experience.

Everyone on the board brings different strengths and perspectives, and it’s exciting to work together to create opportunities for other members. Seeing the turnout at events or hearing that someone found an internship opportunity through AMA makes all of the planning and preparation feel worthwhile.

What Prospective Board Members Should Know

For prospective board members, it’s important to know that serving on the board does require commitment, but it is also extremely rewarding.

Board members attend weekly meetings, collaborate on projects, and help plan and promote events throughout the semester. The time commitment is manageable, especially when everyone works together and supports one another.

In return, board members gain valuable leadership experience and the chance to make a meaningful impact within the organization.

You also build strong relationships with other students who share similar interests and career goals. These connections often extend beyond AMA and can lead to friendships, professional networking opportunities, and collaborations in the future.

Get Involved

Overall, being part of AMA has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time in college.

Whether you’re attending workshops, competing against other chapters, or helping plan events as a board member, AMA offers countless opportunities to learn, grow, and get involved.

If you’re interested in becoming more involved, I encourage you to start by attending meetings, workshops, and events to learn more about what AMA has to offer. And if you’re looking for a way to take your involvement a step further, consider applying for a board position in the future. It’s a great opportunity to build leadership skills, gain hands-on experience, and help shape the future of MAC and AMA.