Meet the Vice President of Website Development: Perla Oxlaj

Vice President of Website Development: Perla Oxlaj

Hi! I’m Perla, a sophomore marketing major on the advertising and promotions track from Carthage, MO. With a background in performing arts, creativity has always been at the center of what I do. While I have always leaned towards a creative path, I didn’t see myself in business until getting involved in organizations in high school, which sparked my love for marketing. I began college as a graphic design major but quickly switched to marketing as I became more involved on campus. AMA played a huge role in that shift, along with FBLA, where I serve as Vice President. 

When I’m not doing anything school or work-related, you can usually find me at the gym (it’s my favorite way to de-stress) or learning something new just for fun. I love Spider-Man, and listen to all kinds of music, especially R&B and reggaeton, with Highvyn and Cris MJ being my favorite artists. I also currently work as a Marketing Intern at Total Highspeed Internet Solutions, where I get to assist in all marketing efforts, including rebuilding their website!

As far as my career aspirations, I am just trying to take the opportunity to try everything and learn as much as possible in college. I would generally love to work for a brand/product that I’m already passionate about. Roblox would be a great example. Currently, I've been interested in working in the software development industry, doing something related to digital marketing, product marketing, or project management.

I first learned about AMA at the student organization fair during my freshman year. Although I was initially intimidated since I didn’t know anyone, I decided to stay and learn more about the organization. That decision ended up being one of the best choices I made, as AMA introduced me to an incredible community and gave me hands-on experience in business and marketing. Wanting to deepen my involvement, I applied for an executive position when applications opened. 

The Vice President of Website Development role immediately stood out to me because of my background in website design and competitions throughout middle and high school. What I didn’t expect was that our chapter didn’t yet have a website, meaning I would be creating it entirely from scratch. As a freshman, this was intimidating, but attending ICC and learning more about AMA on a national level helped guide the process. After a great deal of planning, research, learning, and refinement, I was able to create the website you are currently on. My role in AMA basically involves managing and updating the website. While the role is demanding, it has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.

Through my involvement in AMA, I’ve been able to strengthen key skills in marketing strategy and digital marketing while also growing significantly both personally and professionally. AMA has played a major role in my career development, including helping me secure three internships through the opportunities, experiences, and connections the organization provides. If you’re considering joining AMA and wondering whether it can actually help you land an internship, the answer is yes. 

Beyond the community and friendships, AMA offers hands-on learning through career-focused workshops, leadership roles, national-level competitions, and our student-run marketing agency, all of which prepare members for real-world careers. My advice to new or future members is to get fully involved, not just by attending regular meetings, but by participating in events like Marketing Week, fundraisers, volunteering, agency projects, conferences, and leadership opportunities. The more you put into AMA, the more you’ll get out of it, and my experience is a direct example of how impactful this organization can be.