2026 AMA Collegiate Career Week

Beyond the Transaction: Building a Career in Marketing That Moves People

What does it take to build a marketing career that does more than sell? In this session, marketing and communications leader Janna M. Joyner takes students behind the scenes of mission-driven marketing, drawing from her career across nonprofit organizations, agency ownership and organizational leadership. Students will explore how strong marketers turn mission into message, stories into strategy, and attention into lasting relationships built on trust. Through real-world examples from her work with organizations like Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Janna will unpack how marketers communicate impact, build brands people believe in, and balance audience needs with organizational goals. Along the way, she’ll share the skills, experiences and mindset that have shaped her career and challenge emerging marketers to think beyond the transaction and build careers that move people, strengthen relationships and create meaningful impact.

Turning Your Skills, Story & Experience Into Opportunity

What if the things you’re naturally interested in, the skills you’ve developed and the experiences you’ve gained could become some of your greatest career assets? In this session, I’ll share my journey from broadcast journalism student to social media director, entrepreneur and communications professional, highlighting how I leveraged my interests, developed transferable skills, built my personal brand and intentionally pursued experiences that shaped my career. Students will leave with practical strategies for identifying their own strengths, building influence both online and in person and turning their experiences into opportunities that move their careers forward.

Built to Sell: The Skills and Coachability That Drive Sales Success

What separates top sellers from the rest? Success in sales requires more than product knowledge or natural ability—it depends on a combination of communication, relationship-building, resilience, curiosity, problem-solving, and a commitment to continuous improvement. This session explores the essential skills and behaviors that enable sellers to build trust, understand customer needs, navigate challenges, and consistently deliver results.

We’ll also examine the importance of the competency we hire for: being a coachable quick learner. In a sales role, coachability means actively seeking feedback, embracing new ideas, adapting to changing customer needs, and applying lessons to improve performance. Quick learners turn coaching into action, develop confidence, and continually refine their approach.

Participants will gain a practical understanding of how coachability supports sales success and how the right mindset, combined with focused skill development, can help sellers grow from new performers into high-impact professionals.

Building an Untraditional Path to a Career in Marketing and Advertising

What can a career in marketing actually look like across industries, companies, and agencies? Through perspectives spanning tech, financial services, and CPG, this panel explores the many ecosystems where marketers can build their careers—and how students can use their interests, skills, and experiences to create a path that works for them, even if it doesn’t follow a traditional playbook.

Beyond the Transaction: Building a Career in Marketing That Moves People

What does it take to build a marketing career that does more than sell? In this session, marketing and communications leader Janna M. Joyner takes students behind the scenes of mission-driven marketing, drawing from her career across nonprofit organizations, agency ownership and organizational leadership. Students will explore how strong marketers turn mission into message, stories into strategy, and attention into lasting relationships built on trust. Through real-world examples from her work with organizations like Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Janna will unpack how marketers communicate impact, build brands people believe in, and balance audience needs with organizational goals. Along the way, she’ll share the skills, experiences and mindset that have shaped her career and challenge emerging marketers to think beyond the transaction and build careers that move people, strengthen relationships and create meaningful impact.

Marketing to Sales: With an AMA Insider at Gartner's Office Hours

Curious about how to transition from marketing into a career in sales? Join the Gartner team for an informal office hours session designed to answer your questions about exploring, pursuing, and succeeding in sales. Hear insights from a Gartner insider (who was an AMA president) about the skills that translate from marketing to sales, what hiring teams look for, and what day-to-day life is like in a sales role. Bring your questions about career paths, recruiting, interviews, onboarding, and professional growth. This is an open and candid opportunity to learn more about building a successful sales career at Gartner.

Virtual Digital Marketing Competition, sponsored by Gerber Life - Final Round Presentations

Finalist teams will present their submissions for the Virtual Digital Marketing to the Gerber Life team, highlighting their strategies and approach to their digital marketing campagin. All are welcome to join and observe!

More sessions coming soon!