By Olivia Haught
For The Daily Athenaeum
For some students, joining a student organization is just a resume builder, but for members of West Virginia University’s American Marketing Association (AMA), it can mean landing an internship, building connections or finding a new group of people to spend time with.
WVU’s AMA chapter has over 100 students involved this year, bringing them together for guest speakers, networking opportunities, social events, community service and professional development. The organization meets every other Monday at 6:30 p.m. in Reynolds Hall, Room 2001.
Jackson Mulvihill, the chapter’s president, said the organization allows students to develop skills that will benefit them beyond the classroom.
As president, Mulvihill said he has gained experience leading meetings, speaking in front of large groups and helping members within the organization.
“I’m getting a lot of good experience with public speaking and speaking in front of a big audience,” Mulvihill said.
But the organization is not only about professional development and presentations; members also get the opportunity to participate in socials, workshops and other activities intended to help members get to know each other. At their last meeting, the club played a lighthearted game of Jeopardy.
For Ben Martinez, the chapter’s vice president, the balance between professional opportunities and personal connections is one of AMA’s most valuable parts.
“I would definitely say the people, the friends that we’ve been able to make throughout this, have been the best part,” he said. “Everyone grows closer with each other.”
Martinez said his involvement with AMA helped him find professional opportunities, including an internship with WVU Athletics’ marketing department. That experience helped him secure an internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he worked in marketing over the summer.
“Just small things like that, how you plant a little seed and it can grow from literally attending a couple club meetings,” Martinez said.
The chapter also allows students to connect with AMA members from other universities through the organization’s International Collegiate Conference. Mulvihill said the conference includes speakers, competitions and opportunities for chapters to interact with each other.
The organization invites students outside of marketing and even outside of the business school.
Students from majors including finance and supply chain have attended, and Mulvihill said graduate students from other colleges have participated in the past as well.
“You can just come and learn marketing skills,” Mulvihill said. “How to advertise yourself, that’s a big one. Knowing how to do that’s really good, especially in an interview.
For students unsure whether marketing or AMA is for them, Mulvihill said the best way is to show up to a meeting and find out.
“Show up to meetings and the events that we do,” Mulvihill said. “You’ll get out what you put into it.”
After being named WVU’s Outstanding Student Organization last year, the leadership team hopes to build on that recognition.
“We have big shoes to fill,” Mulvihill said.
With professional opportunities, social events and a community of students from various academic backgrounds, WVU’s AMA chapter looks to claim the award again this year.
For more information, email [email protected] or follow its Instagram @wvu_ama.
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