Marketing Transfer Student Makes Her Mark on SDSU and Beyond
Jacq Banal (Junior, Marketing)
When Jacq Banal (Junior, Marketing) decided to transfer to San Diego State University for the Fall 2020 semester, she did not expect to experience a global pandemic and virtual courses for her first year. However, these challenges did not stop her from joining eleven student organizations, completing a virtual marketing internship for Just Drive Media, being a brand ambassador for Aerie and Nike, and more. Banal shares her unique experiences as a transfer student, describes getting involved virtually at SDSU, offers advice for students wanting to pursue leadership positions and discusses her career aspirations.
Student Leader, Jacq Banal
Name: Jacq Banal
Major (and minor): Marketing - Integrated Marketing Communications; Minor in Honors Interdisciplinary Studies
Campus affiliations / organizations:
Mortar Board; Kappa Delta Sorority (Instagram Chair, External Community Service Rep, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chair); AB Samahan (New Student Representative); Associated Students (Aztec Pride Vice Exec Chair; Campus Community Commissioner Elect); GreekIV; The Women’s Network; Women in Business (Executive Marketing Assistant); Girl Gains; Aztec Athletics Marketing Intern; Alpha Kappa Psi; Rho Lambda Honors Society; Weber Honors College
Q: What inspired you to transfer to SDSU and pursue a business degree?
I got into SDSU as a senior in high school back in 2018 but ended up committing elsewhere. Once I realized that that school wasn’t the perfect fit for me, I decided to go to a community college to give myself time to re-explore my options. I ended up reapplying to SDSU’s Fowler College of Business as a marketing major because I was not only in love with the campus and San Diego, but I knew that the resources and networks that Fowler and SDSU had to offer would be incredibly helpful not only to my professional growth, but my personal development as well.
Q: As a student leader involved with organizations at SDSU, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far? Is there a particular organization that has had a profound impact on your college experience?
When I committed to being a transfer student, I was obviously not prepared at all for a global pandemic and online school. For many transfers like myself, we look forward to finally being able to be on a large campus and experience things like football and basketball games, school events and just being surrounded by so many different people and stories. When I found out that my first-year post-transfer would be completely virtual, I was honestly crushed. At the time I saw it as one more year of a “traditional university experience” that I would not be able to have. However, I quickly changed my mindset and told myself that whatever I wanted to be a part of before I found out school would be virtual, I would still sign up for and join-- I rushed a sorority, applied to honors programs, and obtained leadership positions in multiple orgs. Now, I am even more excited to be on campus in the fall because I now have friends in multiple areas on campus that I can finally hang out with in person!
I would definitely say that Kappa Delta, Women in Business, and AB Samahan have had the biggest impact on my college experience so far. I have made some of my closest friends in these orgs and I’m so thankful for the (virtual) memories I’ve had as a member of them!
Banal working on a Holiday asset for Instacart as a Social Media Intern for Just Drive Media.
Q: What has been your favorite virtual SDSU memory so far? Is there anything you are particularly looking forward to as SDSU moves towards more in-person opportunities in the fall?
Sorry, I can’t pick just one, but my three favorite virtual memories at SDSU so far would definitely be meeting my bigs in Kappa Delta and AKPsi, FaceTime calls with my p-bros, and voting in my first AS election and being on the ballot! Next year, I’m definitely looking forward to football and basketball games, having in-person events for these orgs, and honestly just going out to eat with the friends I’ve made and exploring more of San Diego.
Q: What advice would you give to other transfer students wanting to get involved?
Your college experience is YOUR college experience! No matter what stage of your life you’re in when you transfer, don’t let anything stop you from getting involved on campus and finding communities that you LOVE being a part of. The resources and organizations on campus are just as much yours to experience as a freshman’s, so enjoy the years that you have on campus and give yourself time to at least try everything you want to!
Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
“You’ll get out what you put in.” Put in work not only with your academics but also establish the person that you are outside of the classroom by doing things that you enjoy! Take those extra steps to run for leadership positions in orgs, take advantage of office hours with your professors and enroll in a fun course like surfing! BUT always, always prioritize your mental health and make sure to establish firm boundaries of when to say no so that you can relax and fully de-stress.
Q: How has social media enhanced your marketing skills? Please describe your most impactful experiences as a brand ambassador.
Being able to grow my personal social media accounts (TikTok and Instagram), have given me a unique view and understanding of a variety of different social platforms and trends. When applying for social media internships and roles, I always use this to my advantage by saying that being active on social media gives me a unique perspective and deeper insight into how to target key audiences and what does and doesn’t work.
My most impactful experience has been as a brand ambassador for Aerie and getting to work with Nike. These are both brands that I love, and I love being able to push their missions while sharing my stories with those that follow me.
Q: What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
After graduating from SDSU, I hope to obtain a role in marketing strategy or social media with a sports team, fashion, beauty or entertainment company. After gaining some years of post-graduate work experience, I hope to return to school to get my MBA. Additionally, another goal of mine is to create a Marketing and PR Agency that focuses on working with businesses founded by Women of Color.
Just Drive Media Internship
Q: Please describe Just Drive Media and your day-to-day responsibilities for the internship.
What I love about my internship is that I get to do different things everyday. Some of my previous responsibilities have included creating assets and content for Instacart, monitoring tweets for Robinhood, writing copy for HelloSign, researching influencers for RingCentral, and pulling data and analytics for Cohesity.
Q: What skills did you have going into the internship and how did this internship help you build on those skills or gain new ones?
I had a pretty solid understanding of social media from my previous internships, but interning with Just Drive really strengthened the depth of my knowledge of different social platforms, why certain things are done, and gave me an overall deeper understanding of social media marketing and strategy. I learned how to use tools like HootSuite and Influitive as well as measure the success of certain things by pulling key metrics.
A Zoom photo with Banal’s fellow panelists for a Community Conversation with Boss Women Collective called “Navigating Job Hunting and Post Graduation During Uncertain Times.”
Q: What challenges did you face during this internship?
Definitely learning to balance online school and activities while doing a virtual internship. There were a lot of things that I had to learn as I went, but my supervisor at Just Drive was super supportive and made sure that I was able to get everything done successfully.
Q: What was your favorite part about this internship?
My favorite parts were definitely getting to design assets for Instacart and getting to work with such a supportive and encouraging team!
Q: What advice do you have for students seeking internships?
Network, network, network! Block out time each day to research and cold connect with people in positions you want to hold at companies that you want to work at. Set up coffee chats and get to know people and what their roles entail so that you have a better idea of what skills you need to be a more competitive applicant for that role. Never expect a referral, though! Use coffee chats as a way to learn and expand your network!
Q: Why do you believe internships are valuable for college students?
In addition to building up a strong resume, internships are a great way for college students to find what they’re really interested in and a way for us to put what we learn in the classroom to work in the real world!
