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Alumni Spotlight
Our chapter always attempts to stay in contact with our AMA alumni. We often invite them to our social events and meetings in order to learn on how AMA has helped them.
Each month we will have former RU AMA alum in our Alumni Spotlight Section.
Meet this month's Spotlight member:
Brian Weber
Brian Weber
Meet this month's Spotlight member:
Brian Weber
Brian Weber
Please give us background information about yourself. Where are you originally from, your age, when you graduated? With what degree? Etc.
I grew up in South, NJ about 15 min south of Rowan University. I was born and raised there. I went to high school at Kingsway Regional and graduated in June of 2004 and went straight to Rowan. I am currently 23 years old and I graduated from Rowan University in May of 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and Management.
Where are you currently working? What are some of your job responsibilities?
I work for a company called ARAMARK in center city Philadelphia where I am a Customer Service Associate. The company itself is a huge company, employing well over 250,000 employees word-wide. I have been working for the company since I was 18 years old, but in a different division than I am in now. Currently, I work for the Business and Industry Group (BIG) under their Refreshment Services department.
Some of my job responsibilities include; auditing our clients to make sure the correct pricing is being put into place, generating reports for out National Account Managers to use at meetings and presentations, answering calls regarding customer complaints/problem with service and acting as a liaison between our clients and our company.
Why did you join AMA?
I joined AMA because it was something that I wanted to get involved with. I went to one of the meetings as a sophomore but didn’t join until my junior year. It was intimidating at first because I did not know any of the other members, I didn’t live on campus and it was just a new experience. My first semester of my junior year, I had Dr. Guner as a professor for International Marketing. I told her that I was interested in joining and she had the president and vice-president seek me out and talk to me about the program. That made me feel very welcomed, so I went to a meeting and next thing I knew I had joined.
What positions did you hold? What are some of the tasks you were responsible for?
I held the position of club Treasurer or VP of Finance. I was in charge of managing all of the finances for the club, including deposits, withdrawals and overseeing bake sales and fundraisers to ensure the proper steps were taken to get credit for those events.
One of my major responsibilities was to coordinate and plan our attendance at the International Conference. I was in charge of booking flights, hotels, transportation, meals, registration and anything else we may have encountered while at the conference. The first year I had done it only 12 students went, but the 2nd year I had to plan for 20 students attending.
How did the networking sessions and guest speakers that AMA held enhance your marketing knowledge and professional portfolio?
The networking sessions and speakers gave me insight on different positions and different responsibilities as a marketer. I love meeting new people and taking interest into their profession. Having a networking session is an informal way for students and professionals to interact and allow the freedom to discuss different aspects of their future.
The guest speakers that the AMA offers give insight into the opportunities that may exist within the marketing world. For example, at the conference one of the guest speakers markets musicians. That was something that was very interesting to me because I love music and I was able to see how someone who loved music, incorporated it into his life and was able to take his professional marketing experience, his love for music and make them both his career.
How did attending The International Collegiate Conference benefit you?
The International Collegiate Conference benefits any individual that is willing to learn. It gives you the opportunity to create a Chapter Plan and Annual Report as well as the chance to work in a trade show environment. The conference itself allows the student to network with other students from all over the country and world. I actually made friends with students from the University of Puerto Rico. The experience gained by attending this event is one that is valuable to anyone that is willing to open their minds and embrace the information that is presented to them.
What was your greatest achievement while on RU AMA executive board?
The greatest achievement was to be able to say, “I am on the executive board of an AWARD winning chapter of the American Marketing Association.” There are not too many college clubs that can say they are an award winning chapter on an intercollegiate level, where you compete with students throughout the entire country.
What do you think separated RU AMA from others?
RU AMA has a different was of doing things. We have strict rules that must be followed in order for our presence on the intercollegiate level. I feel that the dedication of the members is something that other clubs lack. Although RU AMA is a school club, the members become a “family.” They become good friends which strengthens the energy within the club.
Also, To be honest, our advisor may be one of the best advisors that a club could offer. She is dedicated and involved with every step of everything we do. Whether it is just listening, lending advice or even to help plan and execute, Dr. Guner is there and just as important as any other executive board member.
After graduation, are you still actively involved in AMA? If so, how is this benefiting you?
I would not say that I am actively involved. I still read the articles that are sent to me and check out the different work shops that are offered, but do not attend any of them. I do plan on continuing my membership at year end because I do feel it is a valuable membership and organization.
What piece of information or tip would you pass onto any current of future AMA members?
GET INVOLVED and STAY INVOLVED. The experiences one receives are PRICELESS!
I grew up in South, NJ about 15 min south of Rowan University. I was born and raised there. I went to high school at Kingsway Regional and graduated in June of 2004 and went straight to Rowan. I am currently 23 years old and I graduated from Rowan University in May of 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Marketing and Management.
Where are you currently working? What are some of your job responsibilities?
I work for a company called ARAMARK in center city Philadelphia where I am a Customer Service Associate. The company itself is a huge company, employing well over 250,000 employees word-wide. I have been working for the company since I was 18 years old, but in a different division than I am in now. Currently, I work for the Business and Industry Group (BIG) under their Refreshment Services department.
Some of my job responsibilities include; auditing our clients to make sure the correct pricing is being put into place, generating reports for out National Account Managers to use at meetings and presentations, answering calls regarding customer complaints/problem with service and acting as a liaison between our clients and our company.
Why did you join AMA?
I joined AMA because it was something that I wanted to get involved with. I went to one of the meetings as a sophomore but didn’t join until my junior year. It was intimidating at first because I did not know any of the other members, I didn’t live on campus and it was just a new experience. My first semester of my junior year, I had Dr. Guner as a professor for International Marketing. I told her that I was interested in joining and she had the president and vice-president seek me out and talk to me about the program. That made me feel very welcomed, so I went to a meeting and next thing I knew I had joined.
What positions did you hold? What are some of the tasks you were responsible for?
I held the position of club Treasurer or VP of Finance. I was in charge of managing all of the finances for the club, including deposits, withdrawals and overseeing bake sales and fundraisers to ensure the proper steps were taken to get credit for those events.
One of my major responsibilities was to coordinate and plan our attendance at the International Conference. I was in charge of booking flights, hotels, transportation, meals, registration and anything else we may have encountered while at the conference. The first year I had done it only 12 students went, but the 2nd year I had to plan for 20 students attending.
How did the networking sessions and guest speakers that AMA held enhance your marketing knowledge and professional portfolio?
The networking sessions and speakers gave me insight on different positions and different responsibilities as a marketer. I love meeting new people and taking interest into their profession. Having a networking session is an informal way for students and professionals to interact and allow the freedom to discuss different aspects of their future.
The guest speakers that the AMA offers give insight into the opportunities that may exist within the marketing world. For example, at the conference one of the guest speakers markets musicians. That was something that was very interesting to me because I love music and I was able to see how someone who loved music, incorporated it into his life and was able to take his professional marketing experience, his love for music and make them both his career.
How did attending The International Collegiate Conference benefit you?
The International Collegiate Conference benefits any individual that is willing to learn. It gives you the opportunity to create a Chapter Plan and Annual Report as well as the chance to work in a trade show environment. The conference itself allows the student to network with other students from all over the country and world. I actually made friends with students from the University of Puerto Rico. The experience gained by attending this event is one that is valuable to anyone that is willing to open their minds and embrace the information that is presented to them.
What was your greatest achievement while on RU AMA executive board?
The greatest achievement was to be able to say, “I am on the executive board of an AWARD winning chapter of the American Marketing Association.” There are not too many college clubs that can say they are an award winning chapter on an intercollegiate level, where you compete with students throughout the entire country.
What do you think separated RU AMA from others?
RU AMA has a different was of doing things. We have strict rules that must be followed in order for our presence on the intercollegiate level. I feel that the dedication of the members is something that other clubs lack. Although RU AMA is a school club, the members become a “family.” They become good friends which strengthens the energy within the club.
Also, To be honest, our advisor may be one of the best advisors that a club could offer. She is dedicated and involved with every step of everything we do. Whether it is just listening, lending advice or even to help plan and execute, Dr. Guner is there and just as important as any other executive board member.
After graduation, are you still actively involved in AMA? If so, how is this benefiting you?
I would not say that I am actively involved. I still read the articles that are sent to me and check out the different work shops that are offered, but do not attend any of them. I do plan on continuing my membership at year end because I do feel it is a valuable membership and organization.
What piece of information or tip would you pass onto any current of future AMA members?
GET INVOLVED and STAY INVOLVED. The experiences one receives are PRICELESS!
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