Third-year sociology student Tanaya Ghosh has already compiled a detailed work resume that includes JetBlue, Def Jam Records, CSTV and Dell Computers.
Ghosh is a campus representative ““ a position that offers some students the opportunity to work for a major corporation by marketing its products and increasing the company’s appeal among the university demographic.
The position is ideal for students who are outgoing and enjoy being “the buzz on campus,'” Ghosh said. “It’s an ideal job with flexible hours.”
The flexible hours appealed to third-year economics student Mike Sabes, a campus representative for Ford Motor Company and 20th Century Fox.
He said he is involved in several organizations, including a fraternity.
“I get to do everything whenever it is convenient with my schedule. Time management is a very important skill to have in the business world, and working as a campus rep has helped me with this,” Sabes said.
Sabes added that the campus representative position is even more appealing to college students because it is a job that might normally only be given to marketing professionals.
“We can effectively market from within the target demographic. Peer influence is huge for young adults,” he said.
Kean Almryde, a third-year theater student who markets for the Walt Disney Corporation, also said peer marketer can be more effective than older representatives.
He said a non-student employee offering giveaways on a campus might have their motives questioned by students.
“I’m not out to profit from anybody on this campus. I’m out to assist the Disney Company in promoting the films they have through distributing free movie passes,” Almryde said.
The giveaways to UCLA students vary depending on the company. Sabes said 20th Century Fox promotes its films by giving away items such as shirts, posters and footballs, while Ford got its name out by sponsoring major campus events such as Elimidance, a charity event put on by the Greek system.
Almryde, who has given out Disneyland tickets as part of his job, said the situation is “win-win” for the corporation and students, because it gives the company exposure and students free products.
Vanessa Conley, campus representative operations manager for American Airlines, said her company’s representatives communicate the benefits of flying on American Airlines to college students and encourage them to return as consumers after graduation.
The 36 representatives for American Airlines establish relationships with different organizations within universities and offer promotions and savings, Conley said.
“This week we’re launching a spring break promotion where students can enter a sweepstakes to win their 2008 trip. Also, they can “˜vote their way to spring break’ and receive a discount to his or her destination of choice,” Conley said.
Fourth-year history student Anthony Consoli is the American Airlines representative at UCLA. Consoli said American Airlines has allowed him considerable flexibility in running promotions and events, since each campus is different.
“Just recently, I hid 220 envelopes with promotional codes for airline discounts across campus. … I also implement event sponsorships, including Elimidance and Dance Marathon,” Consoli said.
The benefits of the job are not limited to corporations and students, as many campus representatives themselves receive giveaways and opportunities.
Ghosh said she received all-expenses-paid flights when she worked for JetBlue, and has received a computer from Dell.
But Almryde said one of his favorite parts of the job is the experience and networking it offers.
“I want to work someday in the entertainment industry ““ this is a really good fit,” he said.
Some students say the idea of campus representatives appeals to them because of the representatives’ similar age group and background.
“Students respond well with recommendations from their peers. Another student is more in tune with my lifestyle than someone older,” said third-year psychology and sociology student Amy Katznelson.
Conley said students interested in becoming campus representatives should be creative and have establishd networks on campus.
“A campus rep must be proactive about finding opportunities. We value someone who brings new ideas to the table,” she said.