YMA Culture

The Sky is the Limit:
Exceeding Expectations at YMA
YMA’s Culture Summarized by Apprentice Coordinator Donna Li

Today, we celebrate YMA’s successes not to flaunt achievements, but to attract the best candidates to join the team next year. The visible diligence of the team has brewed undeniably high results. Membership grew by over 60% from last year, crowning YMA as the 3rd largest Schulich club to date. Nine events were organized during the fall term alone. The breadth of our 27 corporate partners increased to include Fortune 500’s BMW, and budding Canadian start-ups such as Awake Chocolate, and Frank & Oak. How did this “superhero exec team” achieve such phenomenal results?

To provide “exec enthusiasts” an insight of the culture within the YMA family, I’ve summarized the “3 Traits of Excellence” which we actively recruit for in candidates.

EXCELLENCE TRAIT #1 – People who go the EXTRA mile

This year’s team:

• Introduced not one but two new SCENEster events to YMA. This series of events brought in over $2,300+ of free movies, popcorn, and fun for the club.
• Secured TalentEgg as the first ever keynote sponsor for MY101 through initiating a widely successful online  “Egg-cellent Partnership” petition.
•  Expanded their personal networks to secure a solid round of reps to events. The team even managed to invite McDonald’s to speak & sponsor the conference.

EXCELLENCE TRAIT #2: People Who Show 120% Commitment

It was expected for all execs to be present at events and greet sponsors with a smile. Balancing school, recruitment, extra-curriculars, a social life, and 10 YMA events (literally) wasn’t always easy. But brace yourself  “for better and for worse.”

•  An executive role indirectly translates you into spirited YMA brand ambassador.

o Facebook domination: your profile becomes the platform for advertising

• In circumstances where YMA cannot be a priority, adopt the right attitude. Some members insisted on extra contribution to appease planned absences.

EXCELLENCE TRAIT #3: People Who Back Their Members With Support

Every executive has a direct and indirect role on the team. I’ll spotlight the “indirect role”: events were successfully executed because of the responsive, helpful and supportive culture. Execs are highly responsive to emails; those with less work consistently offer help, and we always celebrated each other’s successes. Combining the fact that we’re all friends – our mutual respect for each other certifies high accountability.

SUMMARIZING THE YMA FAMILY

1. A good claim to fame is going beyond what is expected of you. 

2. This “short-term marriage” with YMA requires endurance, compassion and sacrifice to ensure a successful relationship. 

3. We’re not just a team. We’re a family.

Thus, the current and successor presidents are looking forward to recruiting those that go above and beyond, are highly committed/supportive, and are fun to be around. If you possess the qualities listed above, and resonate with YMA’s hardcore culture – congratulations, we look forward to interviewing you. 

The Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Apply to YMA!

Top 3 Reasons
Why You Should Apply to YMA!

Written by Apprentice Coordinator, Donna Li (@donnahli)

Yes, YMA is RECRUITING, quite exciting like the “Minion Banana Song”! In case “Scream for Scene”, “The Apprentice Marketing Games”, and “Insight Revolution Conference” hasn’t convinced you that YMA is a club worth putting blood and sweat into, here are the top 3 benefits of being an executive in the club.

1. Career Connections

Securing an internship or full-time offer with a marketing role is quite competitive. Since YMA is a highly recognized and reputable club at Schulich, a position in the club will ornament and differentiate your resume. Also, a majority of the positions involve close interaction with top-notch companies who recruit at Schulich (P&G, General Mills, Colgate-Palmolive just to name a few). This added face time brews the ideal opportunity to network with your dream firm, while honing your client-management skills. Furthermore, you also get to personally experience and evaluate the culture of different firms and decipher which organization best suits you.

2. Entrance into a Strong Marketing Network

YMA is the perfect place to fortify your marketing network. At the very least, your network will encompass the talented executive team, active YMA members, and the corporate reps from various companies. I can assure you that having a strong network in marketing and business overall will expedite your path to success wherever you go.

3. It’s fun!

Yes, YMA works hard, but we also play hard. This year, we got together during the holidays for our first ever Christmas social! Not only did we sample foods of all cultures, we also exchanged gifts and faced some friendly “minute-to-win-it” competitions. The truth is, YMA really isn’t far off from a tight-knit family. What you put in will be what you get out. I assure that if you work hard like a team of hard-working minions who strive to become the best possible YMA committee, you will experience many successes collectively, and also form some long lasting friendships.

So what are you waiting for? Apply to be an Exec NOW! For more information on the different roles, please refer to this package.

5 Reasons To Attend The Insight Revolution!

This year's annual YMA conference, The Insight Revolution, is just around the corner. January 18th is the big day and with only 9 days left to register, what are you waiting for?

Here are 5 key reasons to attend:

1. Get noticed for SUMMER INTERNSHIPS

P&G, AMEX, Colgate-Palmolive and SDI Marketing are ALL looking to recruit marketing summer interns. AMEX is hosting a sponsored lunch during the conference with 8 reps to network with, while participating in the sponsored Colgate Palmolive case competition will get you up front and center with their hiring director and other senior executives! 

2. Meet and network with many senior level executives (including CEOs, CMOs and more!)

Where else will you get to hear the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of McDonald's Canada speak? What about the CEO and Founder of the men's online e-retailer, Frank & Oak or the CEO and Founder of the delicious caffeinated chocolate, AWAKE? Don't miss the opportunity to network with these and many other senior level executives. 

3. Participate in the Colgate-Palmolive Case Competition and WIN (both cash prizes and internship interviews!)

If you're in second or third year, grab a partner and register to participate in the conference's sponsored case competition with Colgate-Palmolive. First prize is $150 each and an internship interview (for 3rd year winners) or special consideration for an interview next year (for 2nd year winners). Second prize is $100 each and special consideration for internship interviews. The topic is Optic White Toothpaste!   

4. Free Swag!

A caffeinated chocolate break courtesy of AWAKE, giveaways from Scotiabank, Colgate-Palmolive, Marketing Magazine and more! Plus an amazing swag bag filled with stuff to take home... who doesn't love free goodies?

5. Broaden your marketing knowledge horizons

The theme this year is all about marketing insights and how they are changing the way marketers, advertisers and companies make important business decisions. Learn about these latest marketing trends and take advantage of this opportunity to learn cool, real-world marketing applications outside of the classroom!


Have we convinced you yet? Check out our website to register and pay online (only $50 for YMA members and $60 for non-members) or visit us during the week in the Schulich Marketplace, where we will be selling tickets from 8:30am - 5:30pm up until Wed. Jan. 16th (excluding Friday Jan. 11).

Hope to see you there!