Students learn useful marketing experiences by putting learned theory into practice •A.M.A. members learn skills applicable to all majors The American Marketing Association (A.M.A.) is one of the many organizations that provides realworld experience for students before they enter the professional job market. Harding's collegiate chapter of the A.M.A. has approximately 40 active members. According to Charles Walker, associate professor of business and marketing and the group 's sponsor, the goal of the A.M.A. is to encourage professional growth by developing leadership and human relations skills. "All of our activities enable students to develop marketing skills with hands-on experience, providing interaction with the business community and helping build a network of business contacts," Walker said. The chapter brings marketing professionals to campus to speak to students about their role in marketing and other current issues facing the field. Featured speakers have included the vice president of Sam's, presidents of various companies and other marketers. "We try to bring avariety of people so that our students can learn from them, " Walker said. Brad Beasley, a senior marketing major and presidentof theA.M.A.,joined theA.M.A. not only because it was something to mention on his resume, but also for the great experience he receives. "I am not required to do an internship for graduation like some majors, but I find that the A.M.A. gives me great experience that I do not gain in my classes," he said. One of these experiences included the National Collegiate Convention, where Beasley not only met the vice president of Gillette, but also entered a competition with three other A.M.A. members. Beasley was the leader for his case team, which ranked 10th in the nation. In the fall , theA.M.A. visited an advertising agency in Little Rock. This visit enabled individual members to "shadow" a marketing professional for a day to see what actually happens on the job. And in April, they attended the spring conference in New Orleans. The A.M.A. 's main fund raiser "allows members to gain practical marketing experience," Walker said. These principles can be learned through simple fund raisers, such as the basketball tournament and car wash held in the fall semester. Members also gain real-word experience through offering services to clients in order to raise money for the club. These include telephone surveys, focus groups and mail intercept techniques. According to Beasley, the A.M.A. gives contacts to students within the Harding community. "It also gives students who are not involved in a social club opportunities to be part of something. " "It is important to know that the A.M.A. is not limited to marketing students," Walker said. "We have something for everyone. " Home economics and commercial arts students have been among the members of A.M.A. The A.M.A. offers students experiences which they cannot normally find in their classes, along with opportunities to make beneficial contacts for their future careers. - Christie Rogers American Marketing Association. First Row: Franca Aragon, Gina Boozer, Liliana Sanchez, Maria Jose Hurtarte, Anabella Ruiz, Karla July. SecondRow: Carlos Hernandez, Amanda McKnight, Kandi Allen, Tina Milianta, Joanna Carson, Bobbie White. Third Row: Phillip Jones, Rawle Reynolds, Jay Hall, Charles Walker (faculty sponsor), Brad Beasley, Bill Hemphill (faculty sponsor). Photo by Christie Mangrum. Andrew Shade!, Jessie Bryant andJeanne Castleberry review a handout during one of their meetings. S.H.R.M. kept its members informed on new developments in their field andencouragedan ethical environment in which they could develop as future professionals. Photo by Aaron Gillihan. American Marketing Association ~-~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~O~r_g_a_n~iz-at~i_on_s~~- 189
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