Name of Alumni: Bret A. Ludlow
Year of Graduation: 2011
Current Employment: Account Executive & Social Media Strategist, Liquid Interactive
• When did you initially get involved with the American Marketing Association?
I got involved my first year at Temple which was my sophomore year in college. I transferred to Temple because of professional development opportunities like the AMA. I wanted to get involved right away.

• How did your responsibilities change within the organization?
Soon after attending my first meeting I joined a committee. It was a great way to meet people and get involved without a large amount of responsibility. I then made the transition into an officer position during my Senior year. I became Director of Media Relations (Social Media).

• What did you enjoy most about AMA?
I enjoyed getting to know so many of my peers. The friendships I made on my committees and as an e-board member will last for many years.

• How did the AMA prepare you for the professional world?
The AMA allowed me to build my networking and management skills. I interacted with my peers and various business professionals on a weekly basis. I also managed a team of six committee members while on the E-Board. I believe these are skills that every employer looks for in a potential employee.

• What were you prepared for when you started your career search? What were you unprepared for or surprised to learn?
I was prepared to be comfortable around employers and business professionals from speaking with so many through the AMA. I was surprised to learn how difficult it is to get the first in-person interview at many large companies. There are often phone or Skype interviews and online tests before you get the chance to interview in person.

• What job do you currently hold and what is a typical day like?
I am currently an Account Executive at Liquid Interactive- a leading interactive marketing agency outside of Philadelphia. I manage the relationship with over 20 clients. My role is part sales, part relationship building and part strategy/ creative direction.

Besides acting as Account Executive for my clients, I support the other Account Executives as a Social Media Strategist for many other clients including Mack Trucks, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Volvo and Martin Guitar.

• Did your involvement in the AMA help the transition from college to the job market?
Yes. In the AMA, I had the opportunity to speak with many business professionals from the various companies that came to speak. I also had the opportunity to coordinate events with top-level CEO’s. By the time I entered the job market I was completely comfortable speaking and networking with anyone I came across which is a must for my current job.

• Looking back at your college career would you go about anything any differently?
I would have gotten more involved with the AMA at an earlier stage. I wasn’t an e-board member until my Senior year. I wish I would have joined the e-board as a Sophomore or Junior.

• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
At a Director level position with Liquid leading some of the world’s top brands in developing successful, cutting edge digital marketing strategies.

• What advice do you have for graduating seniors?
Get everything you can out of your relationships at school. Take time to talk to the speakers after every AMA meeting and try to schedule a time to meet them to learn more about what they do. Take time to meet and build closer relationships with your professors before you graduate as well. They all have a ton of experience and connections that may help you in the future.