DocSIG’s doctoral pre-conference on Job Market Readiness is designed to equip PhD students with the clarity, confidence, and strategies needed to successfully navigate the academic job market. Through interactive sessions, candid faculty insights, and small-group mentoring, participants will gain practical guidance on positioning their research, preparing application materials, delivering compelling job talks, and succeeding in interviews. The pre-conference also creates space for meaningful peer and mentor connections, helping attendees build a strong support system as they transition from doctoral training to faculty roles. Walk away better prepared, more confident, and strategically positioned for the next step in your academic career.
This event occurs on Friday, August 24 at the 2026 AMA Summer Academic Conference.
Key Benefits for Doctoral Students
- Mentorship Opportunities: Intimate sessions led by experienced faculty covering challenges in both early and later stages of a PhD program.
- Networking & Peer Community: Dedicated time to connect with fellow doctoral students and established scholars in an informal, supportive atmosphere.
- Research Feedback from Published Faculty: Engage in interactive discussions about research ideas, learn strategies for publishing, and receive personalized feedback from mentors.
Registration
$50
Breakfast provided.
Current members of DocSIG or The PhD Project are eligible to register immediately. If you are not a member of either group, please ask your advisor to send a brief nomination letter on your behalf to docsig.ama@gmail.com before proceeding with registration.
Becoming a DocSIG member is quick and easy; follow the simple steps outlined in the registration information.
Limited seats are available!
Faculty Ambassadors
DocSIG collaborates with faculty ambassadors Professors Prof. Kimberly Whitler and Prof. Martin Mende in making this event a success for doctoral students.
Kimberly Whitler
Kimberly A. Whitler is the Frank M. Sands Sr. Professor of Business Administration at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, with nearly 20 years of executive experience in general management, strategy, and marketing across the CPG and retail industries. She held leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Aurora Foods, David’s Bridal, and PetSmart before transitioning to academia. Whitler is the author of Positioning for Advantage and co-author of Athlete Brands, and a prolific contributor to outlets including Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and leading academic journals. Her research has earned multiple honors, including awards from the Journal of Marketing, Marketing Science Institute, and the Sheth Foundation. Recognized as a top influencer among CMOs and a favorite professor by MBA students, she is also a sought-after speaker and advisor who has been widely featured in major media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Bloomberg.
Martin Mende
Martin Mende is a professor of marketing and the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Professor in Services Leadership at Arizona State University. His research has been published in leading journals including the Journal of Marketing Research, Journal of Consumer Research, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, and Journal of Service Research. He serves as associate editor for several top journals, including JMR, JM, JAMS, JCP, JSR, JPPM, and the Journal of Retailing, and contributes to the Journal of Consumer Research and Journal of Marketing in editorial roles. Mende also chairs the Transformative Consumer Research Advisory Committee for ACR and has received numerous honors, including the Weitz-Winer-O’Dell Award and Journal of Service Research Best Article Award, as well as recognition as a 2017 AMA Emerging Scholar in both MASSIG and SERVSIG, and multiple teaching awards during his time at Florida State University.
Doctoral Student Organizers – DocSIG Leadership
Reach out to us at docsig.ama@gmail.com.
Ishita Nagpal, PhD Student, Georgia State University
shita Nagpal is a PhD student in Marketing at the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University. Her research is centered at the intersection of marketing strategy and the social impact of marketing, with a strong focus on how strategic marketing decisions can drive meaningful societal outcomes. At GSU, she teaches Social Media Marketing and Social Media Intelligence, bringing a blend of academic insight and real-world application to the classroom.
Deeply committed to uplifting the doctoral student community, Ishita has been actively involved with AMA DocSIG for over three years. Her leadership and dedication to service have been recognized with the Outstanding Service Award at Georgia State University.
Zahra Safa Karami, PhD Student, University of Wyoming
Zahra (Safa) Karami, born in Tehran, is a 3rd-year Marketing PhD student at the University of Wyoming. She earned her BBA in Business Administration and MBA in Marketing in Karachi. With 15+ years of international sales and marketing experience, she now focuses her research on sales and entrepreneurship. Safa serves as Chair-Elect (2026–27) of AMA DocSIG, dedicated to fostering community and supporting doctoral students in the US and beyond. She speaks English, Farsi, Hindi (Urdu), and some Arabic. Beyond academia, she enjoys cultural exchange, travel, and sharing Persian-inspired cooking and baking with friends.