Senior Kaitlin Brown presents information at an American Marketing Association (AMA) meeting Jan. 21, 2020, in the Mabee Business Building. AMA underwent a revamp after being inactive for one year. I photo by Madison Meyer Harding updated its American Marketing Association chapter for the 2019-20 school year. The American Marketing Association (AMA) was a national association for marketing professionals. AMA established a code of ethics within the field and published journals of marketing, research and news. Harding University had its own collegiate chapter for over 40 years. Senior marketing major Taylor Sexton, president of Harding's AMA chapter, said she joined the club during her junior year because of its potential to further her academic and personal growth. Sexton said she was disappointed with the inactivity of the club during that year. Sexton emailed Dr. Rich Brown, chair of the marketing department, and expressed her desire to revamp the club and plan events that encouraged organizational growth. "If I was going to be involved with AMA, I wanted it to be an active club, not just something I would put on my resume," Sexton said. Sexton said the revamp included scheduling more meetings and establishing a social media presence for broader communication than occasional emails. Brown helped arrange guest speakers to visit and share their experiences as examples of marketing in real life. Brown said he wanted students to gain knowledge personally, professionally and academically. Sexton said students looked for academic clubs to involve themselves in to boost their resumes and to expand their capabilities. "It gives the perfect opportunity to have real-life experience in your field," Sexton said. Jessica Martin, instructor of business administration and co-sponsor of Harding's AMA chapter, was a member of AMA when she was a student. Martin said she benefited from the club through real-life application of skills she gained. Sexton said AMA taught her more about marketing than she would have learned in a traditional classroom. Martin said understanding the concepts that applied to marketing could help launch students into careers. "You are the product -- on some level -- as you are getting to move on into a career," Martin said. Martin said exposure was the key to the club's success -- exposure to different speakers, competitions, certification and networks. AMA made their members marketable by offering Google AdWords certification, entering case study competitions, and encouraging students to become professional certified marketers. "I want students to walk out and say that they learned some things and benefited from being a part of this club," Brown said. Sexton said she was excited to see where Harding's chapter of AMA would go and the various ways its leaders continued to restructure the club. story by Kylie Jones organizations 269
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