1-day Marketing Boot Camp for Students 2025

Friday, 21 February 2025 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Get ready to work at this boot camp, built just for marketing students looking to get hired and start their career off right!

Prepare for a career in marketing. By marketers, for marketing students.

The AMA Chicago’s 4th annual 1-day Marketing Student Boot Camp provides a day of discussions, tips, skill workshops and networking for students who are preparing for a successful job search for their first post-college marketing role. Each attendee will receive a certificate of completion, to share on LinkedIn and in resumes.

Who should attend: Undergraduate and graduate students preparing for a career in marketing.

You’ll gain:

insights from marketing leaders on getting hired and preparing for a career in marketing
experience interviewing and networking through interactive workshops
the opportunity to network with marketing professionals from AMA Chicago
Certificate of Completion to share on LinkedIn and your resume

Lunch is provided at no cost by Farmer’s Fridge.

Agenda

10:00 AM – Welcome

Opening remarks from Chris McGuire, AMA Chicago Immediate Past President and Director Of Client Growth and Engagement at McGuffin Creative Group.

10:05 AM – An exploration of the wide variety of marketing career options. What may be right for you?

Panel discussion with marketers from nonprofit, agency and corporate organizations sharing insights on the wide variety of career options. Speakers include Christine Buck, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at HIMSS; Kevin Davis, Senior Director of Marketing & Brand Strategy, Erie Family Health Center; and Lexie Markarian, Director of Sales, Street Level Studio.

10:45 AM – What are your strengths and how can you align those with your professional style?

Before Boot Camp, learn your personality type by taking the free test at 16personalities.com (no login or email required; takes less than 10 minutes). How can you become more in tune with your natural strengths and share them more effectively in your career? Cheryl Grace, Certified Public Coach, Powerful Penny, will lead the discussion and share ways to be more intentional as you begin your career.

11:35 AM – Get started building your professional network with LinkedIn

Get tips and insights on how to start building your professional network on LinkedIn. Lana Johnson, CEO & Founder, Elevation Talent Group.

12:05 PM – Tips for networking effectively

Business networking skills you can apply today. Chris McGuire, Immediate Past President of AMA Chicago and Director of Client Growth & Engagement at McGuffin Creative Group.

12:30 PM – Lunch, sponsored by Farmer’s Fridge

Put your newly learned networking skills to use over lunch! Connect with various marketing professionals and AMA Chicago members and ask questions about careers in marketing and related fields.

1:15 PM – Best practices and tips for your next job interview

Learn more about what hiring managers are looking for and basic interview skills. Samantha Susi, Assistant Vice President & Senior Client Solutions Manager at Robert Half.

1:45 PM – A day in the life of a marketing world newcomer

Panel conversation with three emerging marketers. Panel will be moderated by Amy Hilliard, Founder and Principal, The Hilliard Group. Panelists include Anneka Smith, Digital Marketing Director at iPacket; Mike Brodecki, VP Media at Arkon Group; Bri Pietrzak, Account Executive at TMA; and Nicklaus McCormick, Campaign Operations Project Manager at Abbvie.

2:20 PM – Empowering future professionals

Get inspired for a future career in marketing. Michelle Baumann, Chief Strategy Officer, VML.