WWU Club Membership – 3 Points

I attended my first Student Marketing Association (SMA) meeting in January 2025 and have been an active member ever since, making an effort to attend as many meetings as possible. Being part of SMA gave me the opportunity to hear from and connect with accomplished professionals in the marketing industry. It also allowed me to network with incredible peers and build meaningful friendships that I will carry with me throughout my life.

Through these experiences, I strengthened my communication and networking skills in both professional and social settings. SMA helped me become more confident in putting myself out there and engaging with others. Overall, the organization has played an important role in my personal and professional growth.

Career Launch – 3 Points

I helped plan and execute both the 2025 Marketing Career Launch and Finance Career Launch events. Over the course of two months, I worked closely with a small team of students to bring the client’s vision for each event to life. My responsibilities included coordinating logistics such as transportation, catering, and scheduling while remaining flexible and adaptable when unexpected situations arose.

This experience taught me the fundamentals of event planning and reinforced the importance of organization and preparation. It also strengthened my teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Additionally, I had the opportunity to connect with professionals and gain valuable insight into the marketing and finance industries.

Whittier Volunteer Service – 3 Points

In 2019, I began volunteering at Whittier Elementary School. Every Friday after school, I assisted the evening janitorial staff with cleaning and preparing classrooms for the following Monday. As I began college, my role shifted to helping teachers with classroom organization and lesson preparation during the summers I spent back in Colorado. Over the course of more than 100 hours of service, I had the opportunity to give back to the local community and the school I once attended.

This experience taught me discipline and showed me the value of consistency, teamwork, and hard work. Working alongside such kind and dedicated people helped me develop a strong work ethic that I will carry with me throughout my life.

EDI Club Attendance – 1 Points

I attended an Out in Business club meeting hosted by my product manager at the time. During the event, I had the opportunity to meet new marketers, listen to guest speakers, and gain insight into the LGBTQ+ community within the business world. The experience exposed me to new perspectives and broadened my understanding of diversity and inclusion in professional environments. I also enjoyed connecting with others who shared a passion for business and marketing.

Through conversations and networking opportunities, I was able to build new professional relationships and learn from industry professionals. Overall, the event was a valuable experience that expanded both my perspective and understanding of the field.

Event Presenter – 3 Points

I presented at Western Washington University’s 7th Latin American Studies Forum on cultural practices and cuisine. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to research and learn from professionals about the political and economic climate in Latin American countries and its impact on various industries. Preparing for and delivering the presentation strengthened my research, communication, and public speaking skills.

I found the experience especially insightful because it allowed me to further develop my language skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Latin American cultures and economies. It also gave me valuable perspective on countries such as Argentina, where I have family and hope to do business someday. Overall, the forum broadened both my cultural awareness and professional interests in international business.

Comms 225 Diversity & Controversy – 3 Points

Through coursework and discussion-based learning, I analyzed business practices and debated the ethics surrounding labor laws and workplace policies. I also explored movements advocating for equality across race and gender, gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges many individuals continue to face in professional and social environments. Engaging in these conversations and debates strengthened my critical thinking skills and encouraged me to consider issues from multiple perspectives.

This experience opened my eyes to many injustices that exist both historically and in today’s world. It helped me better understand how unequal opportunities and systemic barriers can impact people’s lives and careers. Overall, these discussions challenged me to think more thoughtfully about ethics, fairness, and the responsibility businesses have in creating equitable environments.

2026 Case Competition – 3 Points

Competed in the 2026 Checkers & Rally’s case competition hosted by NewEngen. I worked with a team of three to develop a Q2 marketing plan based on current trends and budget considerations. Together, we created a brand kit and a data-driven marketing strategy supported by reliable research and findings.

After only a week of preparation, we presented our plan to a panel of industry professionals and responded to their questions. This experience taught me the importance of strong data, creativity, and teamwork, as well as how to clearly communicate ideas under pressure. I was pushed outside of my comfort zone and grew significantly from the experience.

The competition also gave me the opportunity to network with professionals in the industry and speak with them during networking sessions. Through these conversations, I gained insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of marketing organizations and learned more about what it is like to work professionally with high-profile clients. It also showed me how important adaptability and collaboration are when working in fast-paced professional environments with tight deadlines and high expectations.

Planned and Hosted AI Panel – 5 Points

Led the planning and execution of the 2025 AI in Marketing SMA Panel. This was the first event I had ever been involved in planning—let alone leading—and I took a “jump in and learn to swim” approach. The experience taught me the importance of preparation while also being ready for the unexpected.

As a result, attendance increased by 170% compared to the previous year, and the clients were extremely satisfied with the outcome. This experience also strengthened my communication skills, as I was responsible for executing the client’s vision and needed to provide consistent updates and adapt plans based on their feedback. Want to learn more? Click here for more information in the event!

Network Night Planner and Host – 3 Points

In 2025, as part of the Integrated Marketing Communication program, I worked with a small team of students to organize biweekly networking events at local pubs and bars for marketing students. Our goal was to create an environment where students could connect, build relationships, and strengthen their sense of community within the program. Planning these events required teamwork, communication, and coordination to ensure each gathering ran smoothly and was welcoming to attendees.

Through this experience, I gained a greater appreciation for the role networking and relationship-building play in both academic and professional settings. It also taught me that strong teams are often built outside of classrooms and project meetings. Spending time getting to know classmates in a more relaxed setting helped create stronger collaboration and trust when working together academically. I also developed my organizational and interpersonal skills by helping facilitate conversations and encourage participation at the events. Overall, this experience reinforced the importance of community, connection, and collaboration in professional growth.

La Sportiva Marketing Intern – 4 Points

Beginning in the summer of 2025, I joined the marketing team at La Sportiva North America in Boulder as a Marketing Intern. In this role, I worked closely with the marketing team to help plan and execute marketing efforts such as email campaigns and in-person events. I also assisted with backend systems work, including SEO optimization and ensuring that language software translated product information correctly.

Additionally, I helped transfer and organize assets using Digital Asset Management (DAM) software such as Bynder to ensure assets were accessible to affiliates and the broader marketing team. My time at La Sportiva taught me the importance of communication, especially within a large multinational company, and showed me how collaboration and organization are essential to successful marketing operations.

I also gained valuable insight into the outdoor industry and saw how marketing and promotions in this space differ from those in other industries. Through my experience, I was able to spend time getting to know industry professionals and learn more about how influencer marketing campaigns are developed, managed, and used to build authentic connections with consumers. This experience also gave me a greater appreciation for brand identity and how companies maintain strong relationships with both their communities and sponsored athletes.

Professional Networking – 3 Points

Created and maintained an active presence on LinkedIn and Handshake to support my professional development and career exploration. I used these platforms to connect with potential employers, explore career opportunities that aligned with my interests, and stay informed about trends and developments within the marketing industry.

In addition, I used LinkedIn as a platform to share my blog posts in order to generate backlinks, drive traffic to my website, and expand my professional network, ultimately growing my LinkedIn audience to more than 650 followers. Through networking on these platforms, I was able to connect with professionals through Zoom meetings and coffee chats, which helped me build confidence in reaching out, asking thoughtful questions, and learning directly from people working in the industry. Additionaly I regulary updated my profile with high quality assets and personal photos taken from the career services center at WWU.

My experience with LinkedIn and Handshake taught me the importance of professional networking, curiosity, and maintaining a strong online presence. It also helped me develop a more critical perspective on online content, as I learned the importance of verifying information and thinking carefully about the credibility of what is shared online.

Intergrated Marketing Communications – 3 Points

Worked my way up from a content creator to a product manager, and eventually to an event coordinator, where I led teams, built relationships with clients, and planned events for the WWU Marketing Department. Progressing through these roles taught me the value of knowledge and experience, and how much of a difference they can make when applied effectively to a project. Each new position came with greater responsibility and pushed me to continue developing both professionally and personally.

Throughout this experience, I became familiar with the Agile process and eventually led sprints for my team, helping coordinate tasks, timelines, and communication between team members and clients. I learned how important organization, adaptability, and accountability are when managing projects with multiple moving parts and deadlines. I also learned the importance of building a positive group culture by making sure every team member felt heard, valued, and motivated to contribute their ideas.

Most importantly, these roles strengthened my leadership and communication skills, especially when working directly with clients to understand and execute their vision successfully. I never imagined I would be able to lead a team, much less help plan large-scale events, but this experience proved that I could. It gave me the confidence to continue pushing myself outside of my comfort zone and showed me how much growth can come from taking on new challenges.