AMA Collegiate Chapters! Don’t miss your chance to win big during Career Week:
- The Collegiate Chapter with the most members registered and in attendance for the sessions throughout Career Week will one FREE ICC student registration.
- Collegiate Chapters who promote Career Week to their members and submit evidence will be entered into a raffle for a $350 flight credit to help get your members to ICC.
Sweepstakes official rules and restrictions apply. See here for rules regarding the sweepstakes for the free ICC registration. See here for rules regarding the sweepstakes for the flight credit.
AMA Career Week is an immersive, one-week virtual experience designed to empower the next generation of marketing leaders. Career Week provides AMA collegiate members with the connections, guidance and information they need to launch their marketing careers. This interactive week features live career workshops, insights from marketing trailblazers, recruiting opportunities, and so much more!
Please note, registration for the sessions held throughout the week will be separate from registration from the Gerber Life Insurance Digital Marketing Competition. Be sure to complete both as you prepare for Career Week!
Career Week Sessions
Gray Media Playbook: Crafting Winning Marketing Strategies
12:00 – 1:00pm CT
Step inside the world of Gray Media and see what it takes to build campaigns that work. In this interactive session, we’ll walk through how our team develops a marketing strategy from start to finish—uncovering the research, creative direction, and execution that drive measurable results for our clients.
You’ll learn how to:
- Identify audience insights that shape campaigns
- Build a cross-platform strategy that blends TV, digital, and creative
- Translate business goals into actionable marketing solutions
- Measure success with data-driven results
Whether you’re a student exploring careers in media, a young professional, or simply curious about marketing, this workshop gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how Gray Media turns ideas into impact.
Gray Media Office Hour Session
1:00 – 2:00pm CT
Join the team from Gray Media to learn more about working for their company! Topics will include:
- Internship opportunities to employment pipelines
- Hiring cycles/timelines
- What they look for in recent grads/new employees
- Hiring practices/what to expect
- Opportunities for career growth within the company
Gray Media Presenters
Taylor Edwards
Gray Media, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Taylor Edwards began her career in the nonprofit sector, where she discovered her passion for networking and community involvement.
Today, as a Sales Talent Acquisition Specialist with Gray Media, Taylor channels that same passion into helping others build rewarding careers in advertising sales. She believes strongly in the reach and influence Gray Media offers—empowering businesses with innovative marketing strategies while providing professionals with unmatched opportunities to grow. Taylor thrives on inspiring the next generation of sales talent and showing them the lasting value of working for one of the most influential media companies in the nation.
Christina Wilson
Gray Media, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Christina Wilson has a passion for advertising sales and media and has enjoyed a 24-year career in the industry she loves. Christina started her career as an Account Executive at AdForce Advertising Agency, the largest full-service agency between Springfield, IL and St. Louis, MO. For 11 years, she worked with local and national accounts, creating innovative and compelling advertising campaigns to achieve record-breaking results. Christina moved to Quincy Media in 2012, a Midwest-based broadcast television, newspaper, and digital advertising company for 9 years where she worked in Human Resources and served as Executive Assistant to the CEO. Quincy Media was acquired by Gray Media in August 2021, and Christina was offered the opportunity to help pioneer the talent acquisition team at Gray. Helping students and sales professionals find and explore this amazing industry has been a dream come true. Christina truly believes that careers in advertising and marketing are truly the best and she enjoys connecting candidates with the right opportunity in the right place at the right time. Christina believes that having happy, well-trained employees is the key to success!
Acing the Interview Process While Staying True to You
11:00 – 12:00pm CT
In this session, you’ll learn what hiring managers and recruiters are looking for and how to prepare and be your authentic self in the interview process.
Key takeaways:
- Find your STARs
- Tell your story
- Cut through the noise
- Making an impression at all stages of the process
Session Presenter
Jennifer Howell
American Marketing Association. Director, People & Culture
Jennifer Howell, SHRM-CP is the American Marketing Association’s Director of People and Culture. Jennifer has been in the HR/People and Culture industry for over a decade, and her passion lies in recruiting. She loves coaching candidates, hiring managers and interview teams on best practices to help candidates present their best self in the interview process.
Beyond Salary: Benefits That Support Your Lifestyle
4:00 – 5:00pm CT
In this session, you will learn that starting your first job means more than just earning a paycheck – it’s also your introduction to workplace benefits. This session will explore how health insurance, retirement, paid time off and other benefits can support your lifestyle today and shape your future.
Session Presenter
Jalexis Teemer
American Marketing Association, Manager, People & Culture
Jalexis Teemer is the American Marketing Association’s Manager of People and Culture. Jalexis has been in the HR/People & Culture industry for 8 years and her passion lies in Learning & Development. She is passionate about helping others gain knowledge and skills to succeed at work and in life.
Think like a Leader – Skill Development for College and Career Success
1:00 – 2:00pm CT
Join us for an engaging and insightful workshop designed to equip you with the essential skills needed for success in both your academic journey and your future career. This session will focus on C-level readiness—what it means to think and operate like a top executive—and the critical role that effective communication plays in achieving your goals.
During this presentation, you will learn:
- What C-level readiness entails and why it’s important for students and professionals alike
- Key strategies for developing executive-level thinking, decision-making, and leadership skills
- How to master effective communication, including active listening, persuasive speaking, and clear writing
- Practical ways to apply these skills in your college coursework, group projects, internships, and future job roles
Whether you’re preparing for your college day to day activities, seeking to stand out in your classes, or planning your career path, this webinar will provide actionable tips and real-world examples to help you communicate with confidence and think like a leader. Don’t miss this opportunity to build a strong foundation for your academic and professional success!
Sponsored by Gartner
Gartner Office Hour Session
2:00 – 3:00pm CT
Join the team from Gartner to learn more about working for their company! Topics will include:
- Internship opportunities to employment pipelines
- Hiring cycles/timelines
- What they look for in recent grads/new employees
- Hiring practices/what to expect
- Opportunities for career growth within the company
Sponsored by Gartner
Gartner Presenters
Cici Fuentes
Gartner, Associate University Recruiter
Cici Fuentes is a passionate and resourceful University Recruiter dedicated to connecting top talent with meaningful opportunities. With a strong foundation in talent acquisition, candidate engagement, and diversity hiring, Cici excels at building relationships and understanding the unique needs of both candidates and employers. Driven by a commitment to inclusivity and professional growth, Cici is focused on helping individuals and organizations reach their full potential.
Riley Hill
Gartner, University Recruiter
Riley Hill is a dedicated and personable University Recruiter with a passion for connecting talented individuals to the right opportunities. With a keen eye for identifying potential and a talent for building strong relationships, Riley excels at guiding candidates through the hiring process and supporting organizational growth. Known for excellent communication skills and a detail-oriented approach, Riley is committed to creating a positive candidate experience and fostering diverse, high-performing teams.
Andrew Ruffing
Gartner, Senior Sales Manager
Andrew Ruffing is a dynamic sales leader with a strong background in driving revenue growth and building lasting client relationships. Andrew’s commitment to understanding client challenges and delivering tailored solutions has earned him a reputation for trust and reliability in the sales field. Andrew will provide insights on how to connect with high level leaders successfully and how he has applied these skills in his career journey.
Career Panel: What I Wish I Knew Before Starting My First Job
4:00 – 5:00pm CT
As part of AMA Career Week, join us for a candid virtual panel where marketing professionals share the lessons they learned transitioning from college to their first role. Panelists will reflect on the skills, habits, and mindsets they wish they had embraced earlier—and offer practical advice to help you avoid common pitfalls and start strong in your career. Whether you’re preparing to graduate or just beginning to think about your career path, this session will give you actionable insights to navigate your first job with confidence.
Panelists
Chris Peay
Cxmmunity Media, Chief Marketing Officer
Chris Peay is the CMO of Cxmmunity Media, a media-tech company focused on future-proofing diversity in the esports and gaming industry by creating engaging, educational, and entertaining programming. After graduating from HBCU North Carolina Central University with a degree in Mass Communications and Media Studies, he completed his master’s degree in Marketing at Georgia State University to hone his passions for tech, sports, and entertainment.
During his time with Cxmmunity Media, Chris led brand strategy for films such as Space Jam: A New Legacy and Jordan Peele’s Candyman. He’s also curated bespoke gaming strategies for corporations such as Mountain Dew, Microsoft, Verizon, Discover, Nike/House of Hoops, and NBCUniversal. Chris continues to use his talents to build and expand the Cxmmunity Media brand to become a household name across the world.
Brittany Powell
Gartner, University Recruiter
Brittany Powell is a University Recruiter at Gartner, focused on sourcing and hiring top early-career sales talent. She builds strategic partnerships with universities, fosters student relationships, and implements innovative recruitment strategies to connect candidates with rewarding opportunities. Brittany is dedicated to delivering an exceptional candidate experience and consistently exceeds recruitment goals for both full-time and internship positions
Taylor Edwards
Gray Media, Talent Acquisition Specialist
Taylor Edwards began her career in the nonprofit sector, where she discovered her passion for networking and community involvement.
Today, as a Sales Talent Acquisition Specialist with Gray Media, Taylor channels that same passion into helping others build rewarding careers in advertising sales. She believes strongly in the reach and influence Gray Media offers—empowering businesses with innovative marketing strategies while providing professionals with unmatched opportunities to grow. Taylor thrives on inspiring the next generation of sales talent and showing them the lasting value of working for one of the most influential media companies in the nation.
Adam Reese
Insight Global, Director of Campus Relations
Adam Reese is a seasoned leader in recruiting, talent development, and university engagement, currently serving as the Director of Campus Relations at Insight Global. Born and raised in Central Florida, Adam graduated from the University of Alabama in December 2014, launching a career rooted in relationship-building and strategic growth. He has spent over a decade at Insight Global, beginning as a recruiter in Orlando before transitioning to an account manager role in Jacksonville. In 2021, Adam was promoted into leadership, where he began shaping organizational culture and mentoring rising talent on the Talent Acquisition team. For the past three years, he has led campus relations initiatives, forging meaningful partnerships between universities and industry. Adam now resides just outside of Tampa, Florida, continuing to champion student success and workforce readiness across the region.
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence
11:30 – 12:30pm CT
Emotional Intelligence is more than personal empathy or emotional management. It’s the secret ingredient that forges solid and positive relationships, fosters clear communication, elevates leadership, diffuses stress and conflict, and drives cohesive teams to perform beyond the sum of their parts. Candidates with strong emotional intelligence (EQ) will hold a distinct advantage in this new era of work. Let’s explore the benefits of EQ in the workplace, how employers hire for EQ, and more.
Sponsored by Insight Global
Insight Global Office Hour Session
1:00 – 2:00pm CT
Join the team from Insight Global to learn more about working for their company! Topics will include:
- Internship opportunities to employment pipelines
- Hiring cycles/timelines
- What they look for in recent grads/new employees
- Hiring practices/what to expect
- Opportunities for career growth within the company
Sponsored by Insight Global
Insight Global Presenters
Adam Reese
Insight Global, Director of Campus Relations
Adam Reese is a seasoned leader in recruiting, talent development, and university engagement, currently serving as the Director of Campus Relations at Insight Global. Born and raised in Central Florida, Adam graduated from the University of Alabama in December 2014, launching a career rooted in relationship-building and strategic growth. He has spent over a decade at Insight Global, beginning as a recruiter in Orlando before transitioning to an account manager role in Jacksonville. In 2021, Adam was promoted into leadership, where he began shaping organizational culture and mentoring rising talent on the Talent Acquisition team. For the past three years, he has led campus relations initiatives, forging meaningful partnerships between universities and industry. Adam now resides just outside of Tampa, Florida, continuing to champion student success and workforce readiness across the region.
Gerber Life Insurance Office Hour Session
3:00 – 4:00pm CT
Join the team from Gerber Life Insurance to learn more about working for their company! Topics will include:
- Internship opportunities to employment pipelines
- Hiring cycles/timelines
- What they look for in recent grads/new employees
- Hiring practices/what to expect
- Opportunities for career growth within the company
Sponsored by Gerber Life Insurance
Gerber Life Insurance Presenters
Katie Henderson
Gerber Life Insurance, Senior Recruiter
Katie Henderson brings more than 14 years of experience in Human Resources, with the last eight dedicated to helping grow and support teams at Gerber Life Insurance. A proud Baker College graduate, Katie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources and an Associate’s in Business Management. She’s passionate about helping others explore rewarding career paths and looks forward to connecting with you to share what makes Gerber Life a great place to build your future.
Gerber Life Insurance Digital Marketing Competition
11:00 – 1:00pm CT
Put your digital strategy to the test with a real-world challenge where teams develop a comprehensive digital marketing campaign.
Format: Virtual/Online
Competition Objectives
- Virtual Fall Team Competition
- Design a social media strategy based on a digital marketing brief
- Competition brief will be released to all teams on Friday, October 31, 2025 at the start of the competition
- Showcase your creativity, skills and ability to develop digital marketing outputs
Learn more and sign up at our Virtual Digital Marketing Competition landing page.
Competition Sponsor
Gerber Life Insurance is a trademark. Used under license from Société des Produits Nestlé S.A. and Gerber Products Company.
What attendees can expect:
- Gain marketing industry knowledge
- Sharpen their skill sets
- Build their network
- Connect with representatives from leading companies
Thank You to Our Sponsors
