Frequently Asked Questions - Virginia Tech AMA
What is American Marketing Association?
AMA is a student-run marketing organization that allows members to experience hands-on marketing projects, work with real clients, and learn how professionals market in the real world. We also have professional development workshops, speakers, a competition team that travels for national conferences, a partnership with Blacksburg High School's DECA program, and more!
Why should you join AMA?
Everyone, no matter what you intend to do after college, can benefit from learning how to be a good marketer. Through AMA, members can learn how to market themselves to potential recruiters, how to market their ideas to those around them, and how to market a product or service to consumers. It's an invaluable skillset that we encourage everyone to learn and practice. We strive to do so through our organization.
What do members get out of AMA?
Members in our organization get to work with professional clients and gain real-world experience through training, tools, workshops, projects, and more. Members of our chapter are exposed to first-hand marketing experiences that are not available through classes. We also focus on individual-specific professional development skills, like creating a great resume or honing your interview skills!
Do I have to be a marketing major to join AMA?
No! AMA is an interdisciplinary organization. Any major can join! In fact we encourage it, as each major offers a unique, new perspective to our membership. Our committees range from social media, public relations, analytics and market research, graphic design, accounts, finance, and multimedia.
Do I need prior experience to join AMA?
While students with prior marketing experience are welcomed, we understand that AMA is a starting point for many of our members. New members are partnered with other students and an exec within a committee, and are prepared to learn their new roles from that point forward.
When do we meet?
Our chapter meets Monday evenings at 7:00 PM. Our meetings consist of a mix of both in-person and online zoom meetings.
Do we have socials?
Yes! On top of learning the ins and outs of real world marketing, our chapter loves to meet for fun activities too. Previously, we’ve gone bowling, tried the Venture Out ropes course, gone on hikes, and more! Our socials usually take place at the same time as general body meetings (7:00 PM).
How do I join AMA?
Our application process happens twice a year, at the beginning of the fall or spring semester. We encourage students to participate in our recruitment week prior to filling out an application. Afterwards, we hold 1-on-1 interviews with applicants before offering admission into our organization. The process takes about 1 week. Applications open this year on Tuesday, September 6th, 2022 and close on Friday, September 9th, 2022.
Are there available leadership opportunities?
Yes! All of our committees have executive positions. This position allows members to gain leadership experience, network, resume-build, and work 1-on-1 with clients.
What does the competition team do?
Our competition team at AMA practices real life digital and sales marketing simulations. In the past, we’ve competed in the annual AMA International Collegiate Conference. Additionally, we plan on competing in a regional conference this year. We typically meet biweekly before the general body meeting. Competitions are a great way to practice the skills you learn in classrooms and network with students at other universities too!