SDSU Student Business Organization Spotlight: American Marketing Association
Bryce Quinten, President of American Marketing Association
The Fowler College of Business’ student organizations have continued to operate effectively, host professional events, and engage with the community through virtual platforms, despite the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Throughout San Diego State University’s virtual 2020-21 school year, the American Marketing Association (AMA) has hosted weekly meetings, workshops, socials, their newly implemented Marketing Week, and their Professional Networking Night. Bryce Quinten (Senior, Marketing) President of AMA, describes the organization’s networking and learning opportunities, shares why students should join, and how AMA has impacted his leadership experience. Bryce also describes his favorite memories at SDSU while offering advice to current students.
About American Marketing Association (AMA):
Q: What events, gatherings, and activities does your organization host?
The American Marketing Association hosts weekly meetings aimed at educating and developing any student that is interested in the various fields of marketing at any level. Our standard Tuesday evening general body meetings alternate with industry insights from career professionals and marketing workshops aimed at directly enhancing marketing skills in a collaborative environment. We also host events throughout the semester that include social events, agency tours, a Marketing Week that provides a comprehensive glimpse of AMA, and our Professional Networking Night that is focused on connecting students with professionals with diverse marketing experience.
Q: What virtual events has your organization organized since the pandemic began?
While the pandemic and online schooling has undoubtedly had an impact on AMA, we have continued to provide our core offerings and even expand on them over the year. Weekly meetings, workshops, committees, socials, the newly implemented Marketing Week, and our Professional Networking Night were all transitioned to accommodate a virtual landscape. We were even able to host a virtual marketing agency tour with Mindgruve this semester. The biggest goal for AMA with an online environment has been striving to provide the opportunities and challenges we look forward to, while also considering the significant personal difficulties many students have faced this past year.
Quinten with the other AMA execs at a case competition at the AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans.
Q: How does AMA connect with the community outside of SDSU?
As an organization focused on marketing aspects, we have sought to establish many connections with local San Diego full-service and specialty marketing agencies, in addition to the San Diego chapter of the American Marketing Association. In the past we have also provided fundraising and community service opportunities in the San Diego area. The annual AMA International Collegiate Conference has also enabled us to connect and cooperate with numerous AMA chapters for mutual advancement.
Q: Why should students join AMA?
As we are open to all students and are not major-restrictive, we encourage any student interested in aspects of marketing and looking for opportunities to expand their capabilities beyond the classroom to check us out. Many of our members have not only leveraged AMA opportunities for internships and connections, but have used insights to help them choose their career path, sometimes even before they were enrolled in core marketing courses.
Q: How can a student get involved with AMA?
The best way to get involved with the SDSU American Marketing Association is to follow our Instagram @sdsuama and check our website sdsuama.com for updates on information and activities. Keep an ear out at the start of the semester as we do normally close membership applications about a month and a half into it. For AMA members that are serious about achieving their best, becoming an Executive Board Officer is a fantastic way to continue developing your skill sets and personal self.
Q & A with the American Marketing Association President, Bryce Quinten
Name: Bryce Quinten
Major ( and minor): Integrated Marketing Communications (Minor: Management Information Systems)
Campus affiliations / organizations: American Marketing Association, Delta Sigma Pi
Quinten and other AMA members at an AMA Agency Tour at Mindgruve.
Q: As a student leader involved with an organization at SDSU, can you share why you got involved and what your experience has been like so far?
As a transfer student to SDSU, I personally sought to be involved with organizations on campus because I was excited to fully grasp as many opportunities for success as I could that would drive me to be the person I wanted to be. The most enjoyable aspect of seeking to be more involved has most definitely been the connections and sense of community I have gained along the way. By pushing myself to explore various new opportunities has also given me substantial confidence in long-term career aspirations and life goals by giving me the chance to develop and test them rigorously.
Q: What experience with your organization has been the most impactful?
The most impactful experience that comes to mind for me was going to the National AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans with fellow executive board members in early 2020. The chance to talk and hear from such a large set of diverse experiences and individuals was inspiring. Of course, when it comes to personal growth, my experience as President of AMA has proved massively beneficial in testing and developing my individual capabilities in methods that can only be gained through action.
Q: What has been your favorite SDSU memory so far?
My favorite SDSU memory would probably be any of the times where I found myself walking home from classes or meetings late in the afternoon with friends, going to hang out with more friends afterwards. That feeling of being surrounded by a community of people that are enjoyable and in an environment that feels comfortable is what I will probably miss the most. Just simply feeling content in the moment.
AMA’s general body Zoom meeting with guest speaker Nick Tran, Head of Global Marketing for TikTok.
Q: If you could go back to your freshman year, what advice would you give yourself?
Focus on what matters in the long run, and don’t fret about the short-term too much. Take your time and enjoy the journey. With regards to your goals, really think about where you want to be in life, then simply work backwards to puzzle out how to get there.
Q: What is the best advice you have received during your time at SDSU?
Don’t simply follow your passion, understand what makes you uniquely passionate and bring that passion wherever you go. The worst thing you can do to yourself is to burn out your passions in life and be left with nothing except apathy and dissatisfaction.
Q: What career aspirations do you have following your time at SDSU?
My short-term aspirations are to get involved in the marketing agency field of San Diego to further develop my creative, analytical, and management abilities through intense exposure opportunities. My long-term goal is to be involved with Product or Brand Management for cutting edge innovations and ideas in the tech sector.
Q: Cats or Dogs? Dogs
Q: Instagram or TikTok? TikTok
Q: Morning or Night? Night
Q: Shopping - In store or online? Online
Q: Panchos or Trujillos? Trujillos
Q: Favorite show to binge watch? The Good Place
Q: Hidden Talent? A very odd set of voices and impersonations
*Group photos were taken before March 2020
