AMA Career Week is your opportunity to go beyond the classroom and build skills you can take directly into your future marketing career. Connect with experienced marketing professionals, learn what employers are looking for, and gain practical insights you can use as you prepare for internships and your first job. Most importantly, Career Week puts you in front of recruiters and industry leaders who are actively looking for the next generation of marketing talent.
This program is fully virtual and students to join from wherever they find themselves! Click the Agenda tab above to see our scheduled sessions. More sessions to be added!
Gerber Life Virtual Digital Marketing Competition
Ready to put your marketing skills to the test? The Gerber Life Virtual Digital Marketing Competition gives students the opportunity to tackle a real-world marketing challenge and develop a campaign strategy for a major brand. Work individually or with a team to turn your ideas into a compelling marketing solution, gain hands-on experience you can talk about in future interviews, and compete for the chance to have your work recognized by industry professionals. If you’re looking for a way to build your portfolio, challenge yourself, and stand out to future employers, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss. Learn more about the competition and sign up here!
What attendees can expect:
- Real-world insights from marketing professionals and industry leaders
- Practical skills you can apply to internships, jobs, and your future career
- Career advice on breaking into the marketing industry and standing out to employers
- Networking opportunities with professionals, recruiters, and fellow marketing students
- Exposure to recruiters looking for emerging marketing talent
- Opportunities to showcase your skills and make connections that can last beyond Career Week
- A chance to explore career paths across different areas of marketing and advertising
Monday, November 9th
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.
Janna M. Joyner
Vice President, Marketing and Communication, Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Marketing as a Career Superpower
Marketing gives you an extraordinary foundation because every organization needs people who understand people. Whether you pursue marketing, entrepreneurship, consulting, or wealth management, your ability to build relationships, communicate value, adapt, and earn trust will help differentiate you. And the great news is that you don’t have to wait for your first job to start building those skills.
Jarian Kerekes
Head of College Partnerships, Equitable Advisors
Marketing Startup Challenge Powered by Ditto Information Session
Ditto is a student-led campus matchmaking platform backed by Google with over 200,000 students nationwide. Students answer a few questions about what they’re looking for and what actually matters to them. Then, every Wednesday at 7 p.m., Ditto texts them one match and a planned date: the time, the place, and why the two of them would click. The only decision is whether to go. No swiping.
The AMA Collegiate Community has partnered with Ditto to host a Marketing Startup Challenge! Your objective: Get more of your campus on Ditto than any other AMA chapter.
Every signup is tracked to your chapter via a dedicated QR code, and the chapter with the most signups wins. A signup can include, but is not limited to, AMA general members, friends, other campus organizations, and any other users acquired through your marketing initiatives.
This information session, led by Ditto representative Viktor Tesarczyk, will cover what participating chapters can expect and how to leverage their marketing skills to drive signups, build campus awareness, and grow Ditto’s presence at their university. Attendees will learn more about the challenge, explore strategies for reaching new audiences, and get their questions answered before registering for the challenge and putting their creativity and marketing know-how to the test!
Tuesday, November 10th
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.
Colvin Prince
Social Media Director, Auburn University Harbert College of Business
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.
Kelly Gilbert
Senior Partnerships Program Manager, Gartner
Marketing Startup Challenge Powered by Ditto Information Session
Ditto is a student-led campus matchmaking platform backed by Google with over 200,000 students nationwide. Students answer a few questions about what they’re looking for and what actually matters to them. Then, every Wednesday at 7 p.m., Ditto texts them one match and a planned date: the time, the place, and why the two of them would click. The only decision is whether to go. No swiping.
The AMA Collegiate Community has partnered with Ditto to host a Marketing Startup Challenge! Your objective: Get more of your campus on Ditto than any other AMA chapter.
Every signup is tracked to your chapter via a dedicated QR code, and the chapter with the most signups wins. A signup can include, but is not limited to, AMA general members, friends, other campus organizations, and any other users acquired through your marketing initiatives.
This information session, led by Ditto representative Viktor Tesarczyk, will cover what participating chapters can expect and how to leverage their marketing skills to drive signups, build campus awareness, and grow Ditto’s presence at their university. Attendees will learn more about the challenge, explore strategies for reaching new audiences, and get their questions answered before registering for the challenge and putting their creativity and marketing know-how to the test!
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.
Jade Walters
Gen Z Employer Branding Consultant and Founder of The Ninth Semester
Elena Robustelli
Business Development Program Manager, Creator Partnerships, LinkedIn
Luis Tun
Social Media & Brand Strategist | Founder, Tu Creative
Sydney Wheeler
Senior Content Associate, Digitas / Publicis Groupe
Wednesday, November 11th
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.
Janna M. Joyner
Vice President, Marketing and Communication, Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia
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.
Aliesha Henz
Senior University Recruiter, Gartner
Amanda Pandini
University Recruiter, Gartner
Ben Taubl
Senior Sales Development Specialist, Gartner
Thursday, November 12th
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!
Friday, November 13th
Momentum Over Maps
Lessons from an Unpredictable Career Journey while Navigating Ambiguity
Alex Dutton
Director, Talent Acquisition, Sony Music Entertainment
Janna M. Joyner
Vice President, Marketing and Communication, Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of VirginiaJanna M. Joyner is a marketing and communications executive, strategist, and speaker who builds brands through bold strategy, creative storytelling, and impact-driven growth. As Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia, she leads mission-driven work that strengthens the brand, drives growth, and deepens community impact.
A former agency founder and CEO, Janna has spent her career helping businesses and mission-driven organizations translate big ideas into compelling brands and stories that move people into action. Her experience spans nonprofit marketing, entrepreneurship, and agency leadership, giving her a unique perspective on how strong marketing transcends industries, helping small businesses, consumer brands, and mission-driven organizations alike build trust, strengthen relationships, and create meaningful impact
Colvin Prince
Social Media Director, Auburn University Harbert College of BusinessColvin Prince, Jr. is a digital strategist, award-winning communications specialist and storyteller passionate about helping organizations connect with their audiences through strategic communication, digital engagement and innovation. He serves as Social Media Director for the Auburn University Harbert College of Business, where he leads digital strategy, institutional storytelling and student-centered content initiatives.
Colvin’s work explores the intersection of creativity, leadership, emerging technology and higher education communication. Through his work in digital media and student engagement, he is passionate about using storytelling and innovation to build stronger communities, elevate authentic voices and empower the next generation of communicators and creators.
Kelly Gilbert
Senior Partnerships Program Manager, GartnerKelly Gilbert is a Senior Partnerships Program Manager at Gartner, where she has spent the past five years building and managing recruiting partnerships. She works closely with partner organizations to create meaningful opportunities that connect students with Gartner’s recruiting process and help launch their careers. Known for her collaborative, relationship-focused approach, Kelly is passionate about developing strong partnerships and creating positive experiences for students and hiring teams alike.
Jade Walters
Gen Z Employer Branding Consultant and Founder of The Ninth SemesterJade Walters is a Chicago and NYC-based marketer, speaker, and founder of The Ninth Semester, an award-winning platform guiding 300,000+ Gen Z professionals as they design their dream careers. With a highly engaged LinkedIn following, Jade has established herself as a trusted voice in the early-career space, sharing actionable insights on professional development, workplace confidence, and career growth. A sought-after keynote speaker who has graced the stages of TEDx, Cannes Lions, the American Marketing Association, and beyond, she blends career expertise with lifestyle, travel, and authentic storytelling to help brands connect with the next generation of professionals.
Elena Robustelli
Business Development Program Manager, Creator Partnerships, LinkedInElena Robustelli is a creator economy and partnerships professional with deep expertise across creators, brands, publishers, and platforms. She spent nearly 5 years at TikTok building and leading B2B creator programs, including creator acquisition, brand sponsorships, and partnerships supporting major industry moments. Today, she works at LinkedIn in their Business Development unit, focused on creator monetization. She brings hands-on expertise in creator partnerships, including dealmaking, usage rights, exclusivity, FTC guidelines, and revenue-sharing models. A natural builder, Elena is passionate about creating collaborations that help creators and businesses thrive.
Luis Tun
Social Media & Brand Strategist | Founder, Tu CreativeLuis Tun is a social media and brand strategist in big tech and the founder of Tu Creative. He turns data into insights that drive engaging content, building loyal and trustworthy brands, and grow measurable comunidad (community).
A Mayan-Mexican American, Luis brings a creator’s instinct and a data analyst’s technical skill to help brands connect authentically with today’s audiences, such as Gen Z and Millennial consumers. He uses his cultura to bring sazón to marketing.
Sydney Wheeler
Senior Content Associate, Digitas / Publicis GroupeSydney Wheeler is a Senior Content Associate at Digitas, specializing in branded content, brand partnerships, and creator-led storytelling. She previously worked at TikTok and has also worked as an entertainment journalist, interviewing Oscar winners and talent including Sandra Bullock, Daniel Radcliffe, and Tyler Perry. She also runs her own creator platform spanning lifestyle, personal journey, and culture. Sydney is a 4A’s MAIP alum.
Aliesha Henz
Senior University Recruiter, GartnerAliesha Henz is a University Recruiting professional at Gartner with five years of experience connecting talented students with career opportunities. Based in the Ohio region, she specializes in recruiting students for Gartner’s entry-level positions, particularly in sales. Through her strategic approach and passion for developing early-career talent, Aliesha has consistently made a strong impact and has led her team in the number of successful hires.
Amanda Pandini
University Recruiter, GartnerAmanda Pandini is a Gartner recruiter based in the Dallas region, with 2.5 years of experience connecting talented candidates with exciting career opportunities. She recruits for a variety of entry-level roles and is passionate about helping early-career professionals find the right path to launch their careers at Gartner.
Ben Taubl
Senior Sales Development Specialist, GartnerBen Taubl is a member of Gartner’s Sales Development Program, where he has quickly grown his career while supporting C-level executives and building meaningful client relationships. During college, Ben served as president of his AMA chapter, an experience that helped strengthen his leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills. That foundation sparked his interest in sales and ultimately led him to Gartner, where he continues to develop as a sales professional and make an impact.
Alex Dutton
Director, Talent Acquisition, Sony Music EntertainmentI am a Director of Talent Acquisition for Sony Music Entertainment leading a high-performing, bi-coastal team responsible for attracting, engaging, and hiring top talent across Sony Music Entertainment. I specialize in blending strategic recruitment leadership with hands-on coaching, operational excellence, and deep partnership with business leaders to build talent pipelines that strengthen the music business.
With experience spanning media, entertainment, fashion, and retail, I bring a broad and informed approach to talent strategy grounded in data, centered on people, and aligned to the evolving needs of a global creative organization. I began my career in radio, holding roles from on-air host to Digital Marketing Consultant, which gave me unique insight into audiences, storytelling, and brand skills I now apply to recruitment and employer branding.
Jarian Kerekes
Head of College Partnerships, Equitable AdvisorsAs Head of College Partnerships for Equitable Advisors, I lead a national initiative focused on building meaningful relationships with colleges and universities to introduce more students to the opportunities available in wealth management. Through campus engagement, experiential learning, and professional development, we’re helping students discover career paths they may never have considered. A particular focus is engaging marketing students, whose strengths in relationship building, communication, creativity, and understanding people translate exceptionally well to careers in wealth management. Our goal is simple: broaden awareness, challenge perceptions of the industry, and create pathways for the next generation of financial professionals.
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