Av Gehlhausen

UTK AMA Meeting Recap A big thank you to Jack Riley, Marketing Manager at Weigels Inc., for joining us last night and sharing his journey in the marketing world! Jack’s career took off after his involvement with AMA AMAze Groups, where students collaborate with corporate partners on real-world marketing projects. During his time with AMAze, Jack helped rebrand Weigel’s, creating their mascot "Dippy" and the catchy slogan for their chicken: “Dippin Chicken.” His stellar work led to him being hired at Weigel’s immediately after graduation. In his role, Jack has been part of Weigel’s transformation, focusing on healthier, fresh food options—like daily-made donuts and coffee—while changing the perception of convenience stores. The company has also hit major milestones, including record-high app engagement and loyalty program participation in 2024. Jack highlighted Weigel’s commitment to supporting University of Tennessee athletes through NIL deals, ensuring the funds go directly to the athletes. Notably, Weigel’s recently partnered with Squirrel White and signed the entire women’svolleyball team. Weigel’s strategy sets them apart by staying connected to their audience through posts about UT announcements and achievements, a key part of their goal to “be in the conversation.” As Jack said: “Change the tone of how we market to change the tone of convenience stores.” Jack offered valuable advice for those pursuing a career in marketing: maintaining a positive attitude is crucial. Being approachable and kind makes a strong impression on employers. He emphasized that personality plays a significant role in being part of a company’s culture. While technical skills can be taught, being a team player is something not everyone can master. A cohesive team that communicates effectively is the foundation of any successful organization. #UTKAMA #Marketing #Weigels #NIL #CommunityEngagement #Teamwork #BrandStrategy #ProfessionalDevelopment

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This Fall semester in my Strategies for Social Media class, I had the amazing opportunity to participate in the Stukent Social Media Simulation Internship! Over the past few months, I’ve gained hands-on experience in social media management, from creating engaging organic posts to strategizing paid ad campaigns—all while staying within budget. Working with influencers, analyzing data, and interacting with potential customers has given me practical skills in audience engagement, analytics, and budgeting. This experience has deepened my understanding of digital marketing strategies and how to optimize content for various platforms. I’m excited to apply these valuable skills to my career as I continue to grow in the world of social media! #SocialMediaStrategy #DigitalMarketing #StukentSimulation

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Friday Frustration Alert: I have 8 years of experience in my home country, and I'm currently pursuing a Master's degree at Wright State University. As I apply for marketing positions ranging from entry-level to mid-senior, I'm encountering a variety of challenges. Some feedback suggests that I'm overqualified, while others imply that my international experience isn't valued, essentially making me a fresher in their eyes. Either way, the rejections keep coming. 🙃 It's incredibly frustrating not knowing why I'm being rejected or why another candidate was chosen. I'm sure many of you can relate to this uncertainty. Moreover, it feels contradictory when companies emphasize the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), yet reject candidates based on their need for future sponsorship. To my network: Have any of you faced similar challenges? How did you navigate this? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your support and understanding. #mastersinusa #internationalstudent #marketingjobs #Recruitment #HR

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Hi all! Please consider taking this survey to help my fellow interns and I discover the relationship between Population Health and Employee Productivity. This topic relates to every industry and all responses will help us gather useful information!

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About two months ago, I graduated college 🎓 For the first time, I am no longer a student. It can be difficult to navigate post-grad life as a young adult: everything feels intimidating and complex. From getting a place of your own to finding a full-time job, things can be overwhelming, and it can be challenging not to compare yourself to others in the era of LinkedIn. However, it is a beautiful time for growth and self-discovery. 🌟 Here are five things post-grad life is teaching me as a young adult so far! 🌟 🌱 No longer a student, but always a learner. For most of our lives, we’ve been in school systems, following curricula that made many not enjoy learning. Many even doubted their self-worth based on a number on the corner of their papers. However, once we find interest in topics we truly enjoy and we realize grades do not measure success, our concept of learning can be completely different. Despite not being in a classroom anymore, find or sustain a desire for learning! Always be willing to learn. Acquire new skills, learn a new language… there is so much knowledge in the world. Be a lifelong learner 🌷 🌱 Screenless time is important. Yes. Especially if you stare at a screen eight hours a day for work. We are meant for more than the screen. In times where it can be so easy to give in to mindless scrolling and giving valuable hours of your life to social media and screens, make an active effort to exist beyond what’s digital. Your eyes and mind will thank you 📱 🌱 Make time to know yourself! Who are you beyond a student and school? This is a perfect time to discover yourself. Journaling has helped me get to know myself better ✒ Try new hobbies, and say yes to new experiences… you’ll be surprised by the complexities of your being. 🌱 Movement matters. Again, especially if you stare at a screen and sit down for eight hours a day for work. Adulting is not a synonym for a sedentary life. Stretch, dance, exercise, walk. Be in touch with your body. There is more to life than sitting at a desk 🧘‍♀️ 🌱 Relationships over networking. As young adults and recent grads, we hear about the importance of networking all the time. As much as this can be true, remember we are people before we are professionals. Don’t let anyone reduce you to your LinkedIn profile or job position. Authenticity matters, genuine connection matters! 🫂 I hope these can be helpful to other recent grads. As much as change can be intimidating, it can also be beautiful. #RecentGraduate #RecentGrad #PostGradLife #YoungAdult #LifeAfterCollege #GradLifeJourney

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Seeking Recommendations: Best Online Graphic Design Colleges! I’m exploring options for online graphic design programs and would love your input. What colleges or programs have you found to be the most valuable in terms of curriculum, networking opportunities, and overall experience? #GraphicDesign #OnlineEducation #Recommendations #CareerDevelopment

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Throughout my final semester at Kutztown University, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to apply my classroom knowledge in a hands-on setting through the Digital Marketing Simulation (Simternship) course. This experience has provided me with invaluable skills and insights, including: - Strategically selecting, prioritizing, and optimizing keywords to enhance search engine visibility - Interpreting key metrics (such as impressions and clicks) to assess campaign performance and value - Allocating budgets effectively to maximize ROI and drive profitability - Optimizing landing pages for improved user experience and conversions - Utilizing advanced digital tools and tactics to elevate campaign performance - Organizing, creating, and optimizing search, display (interest-based, remarketing), and shopping ads for a more targeted approach - Leveraging KPIs, including ROI, to measure success and inform decision-making - Executing A/B testing to identify the best strategies for retargeting and continually refine ad performance This hands-on simulation has further solidified my passion for digital marketing and sharpened my skills in campaign optimization, data analysis, and strategic decision-making. I am excited to continue growing and applying these skills in the real world! #DigitalMarketing #DigitalMarketingSimternship #MarketingStrategy #KutztownUniversity #SEO #PPC #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingOptimization #ABTesting #ROI

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During my time in Dr. Jen Riley’s Digital Marketing Strategy course, I’ve gained valuable insights into the power of data in shaping effective online strategies. A highlight of this journey has been the chance to earn my Google Analytics Certification, which has significantly strengthened my skills in analyzing website performance and leveraging user data for strategic decisions. From understanding user behavior to identifying key metrics, this experience has equipped me with practical tools to enhance digital marketing efforts. I’m excited to put these skills into practice and see how they contribute to meaningful results in the digital marketing world!

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This semester for my social media class, I have learned how to create organic and paid social posts through the Stukent simternship. It has been a transformative experience that has allowed me to dive deep into the world of digital marketing and apply classroom concepts in an AI simulation. I have had to make key decisions based on data, teaching me how to interpret analytics and adjust strategies for optimal results. I have also managed digital campaigns across various platforms. I have learned to adapt from feedback and try new strategies after attempting ones that did not work out. Overall, learning how to think critically about every move to drive results, whether in paid search, social media, or SEO has taught me a lot of new details about how to go about the social media industry.

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STEPPING UP 🚀 Hey LinkedIn! It’s been a while, and I’m finally back—ready to dive deeper and get serious about this space. Over the past few months, I’ve been focused on building my skills in community engagement, student leadership, and brand marketing. I’ve taken on roles that challenged me, shaped my perspective, and deepened my passion for making an impact. But I realize now that LinkedIn offers so much potential for growth, collaboration, and connection that I’ve only scratched the surface of. This time after procrastinating for a long time I’m here to be more intentional and I’m here to stay. I want to share my journey—the wins, the lessons, the work that excites me. I want to connect with people who are driven, like-minded, and ready to support one another in meaningful ways. So here’s to stepping up, reconnecting, and seeing the bright place this journey goes. If you’re up for the ride too, let’s connect and grow together! #SteppingUp #BackOnLinkedIn #NewConnections #GrowthMindset #LetsBuild

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Can't help noticing it's going to be December this weekend! With end of semester almost in sight, there's a few things you can do in Connect2 to prepare for the holiday season... First up, when is your checkout desk closing for the break? Have you updated your Connect2 site calendar with the upcoming closed hours? It's easy to edit your calendar in Connect2 to make these changes. If you need a quick reminder of how to do this (or it's your first time), please get in touch and we'll take you through it! Next time, we'll look at how you can use notifications to avoid items coming back late as you reach the holidays...

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This semester, my Social Media Strategy course has tasked us with using Stukent's Social Media "Simternship." Here's what I've done so far... - I've practiced creating both paid and organic social media content - I learned how to work within a budget to achieve impression goals - I have practiced influencer marketing with AI influencers made by Stukent This program has been an incredible practice for managing a company's social media account. I cannot wait to apply these skills to future roles! #stukent #socialmedia #simternship

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Did you know that UWEC alumni and employers have maintained an Eau Claire Internship Fund that pays a student up to $3000 to complete an unpaid internship in the Eau Claire area (within 30 miles of the UWEC campus)? The intent is to give compensation for students participating in an internship that is typically unpaid such as with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and startup companies. The first step is for a students to identify an internship position so let us know of the opportunities in the Eau Claire area!

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Are you stressed about finals week? Here's some advice from a Comm professor at WIU: 1. avoid distractions from social media or any other media to prevent procrastination and stay focused; 2. use study guides and instructions, ask questions, and know what's expected before taking the exam or submitting (and/or presenting) the final project; 3. get enough sleep and rest to keep a clear and sharp mind; 4. get into the flow of reading, comprehension, learning, and thinking to reduce anxiety. Thank you Danyang Zhao for this advice! I collaborated with Emma Ginther and Andrew Epps, so for more advice check out their posts!

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🚨 This is your reminder: GROWL is #hiring! 🚨 As a former intern myself, I can tell you that our internship is not about getting coffee for the office. 😉 During my time as a Marketing Coordinator, I spent my time crafting strategies for clients, pitching new ideas, and getting invaluable education outside of the classroom. If you have any questions about our internship or GROWL, let me know. 📲 #GROWL #MarketingInternship #Hiring

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Throughout my semester studying the Professional Employability course, I have significantly developed my employability by establishing new skills. I have been challenged to approach my written and oral communication from different perspectives and find ways to promote my skillset to a greater audience effectively. I learned to communicate my skills and attributes effectively and evaluate how they would benefit specific workplaces. The challenges throughout this course have required me to re-evaluate my approach to my employability to ensure the best outcome for my future in the workforce. While some aspects of the coursework initially made me feel quite frustrated, as sometimes what looked like the simplest task on the surface actually required a much more in-depth analysis, I quickly began to realise how beneficial these new skills would be for my future. I was also very grateful for how well this course was structured, as it ensured we could continuously develop and practice our new skills without getting overwhelmed. However, to succeed in this course, students must ensure they complete the coursework as it is structured throughout the semester. This will reduce the stress associated with the assessment tasks and ensure the skills are fully developed and refined after the semester. #BScUoN #Student #BiodiversityandConservation #ProfessionalEmployability #studyingSCIE2001

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Student Success | Listen: The Role of Mentorship on Student Success, Belonging In a new episode of Voices of Student Success, hear about how Elon University looks to support student thriving and engagement through intentional development of faculty and staff members to serve as mentors. https://bit.ly/3TRsgqm

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Interviews. Something we’re all (a little) afraid of. As a college senior, I can still count the number of interviews I have done with both hands. My first was in the lobby of a sub shop, where I got my first job as a cashier. My second was for my very first internship with Wisconsin Right to Life as a young college freshman. There are a few others in the mix for scholarships, college work studies and more internships. At this point, I am moderately confident in my interviewing skills. But, last month I learned an entirely new perspective. For the first time in my life, I was the interviewer and not the interviewee. As Student Service Representative Supervisor at the University of Dayton Office of Recruitment and Admission, I was tasked with hiring three new “SSRs.” With the help of my colleague, Leonardo Morales Badillo, and my supervisor, Missy Bondy Hasselback, we interviewed more than a dozen candidates and reviewed more than 100 resumes during the month of September. With this new perspective, I learned one distinguishingly impactful takeaway: personality matters. The interviewees that stood out always evoked confidence, kindness and an eagerness to learn. Of course, experience matters. Of course, professionalism matters. That’s what gets you in the door. Still, lots of people can accomplish these two steps without authenticity. The real challenge, I learned, is selling yourself as the authentic and positive team member you are. Sure, a candidate might be able to do the job, but do they want to do it? Would they lift the team up? Do their answers demonstrate dependability and passion? And even though it seems far too basic, do they seem kind? Reviewing countless candidates and engaging in conversation through those interviews was enlightening, especially as a college senior. I now know what impressed me, and can harness this knowledge and my unique strengths in any future interviews I may land for post-graduate work. What are your biggest tips for interviewing? #collegesenior #interviewing #communications 

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