A first in Canada: BCIT student named Student Marketer of the Year

BCIT Marketing Management alumna and Bachelor of Business Administration student Kim Nguyen made history at the 2023 American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference (AMAICC) in New Orleans by becoming the first student from a Canadian post-secondary school to be named Student Marketer of the Year. Kim was up against over 10,000 students from colleges and universities across North America, including Ivy League schools.

The Student Marketer of the Year is awarded to a post-secondary student who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, and community service inside and outside of school.

As President of the BCIT Marketing Association (BCITMA), Kim’s creativity, problem-solving skills, marketing expertise, and leadership led the club to receive recognition from the AMAICC as Top 5 Collegiate Chapter in North America out of 330 post-secondary chapters. The BCITMA is a leading chapter of the American Marketing Association. It is also the largest student-led club at BCIT.

In Kim’s role as President of the BCITMA, she is committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all members. Her overall goal is to empower and equip students with skills that will benefit their future careers as marketers.

“Kim goes above and beyond to support all of the BCITMA committees, acting as a mentor to the new Executive Team, but also getting involved in planning and executing events, solving problems and making improvements both at the strategic and tactical level,” explains Erica Halvorsen, Faculty Advisor, BCITMA, and Faculty, BCIT School of Business + Media. “Kim actively seeks out opportunities to apply her marketing skills to non-profit organizations, and when she commits to a cause, she follows through.”

Kim attributes much of her recognition as Student Marketer of the Year to the applied learning experience at BCIT. From the industry-focused curriculum and professional instructors, to the small class sizes, and work-integrated learning opportunities, Kim was equipped with practical skills and knowledge to solve real-world problems.

“Internships allow me to hone my skills learned in the classroom and offer valuable insights into what an industry is like,” says Kim. “It’s also a great tool for networking – all of which supported in paving the path for me to receive this prestigious recognition from the American Marketing Association.”

Kim and her teammates also placed third out of 100 competing schools in the Marketplace Marketing Simulation competition at this year’s AMAICC.

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What’s next after Student Marketer of the Year?

Kim is completing her final year of the BCIT Bachelor of Business Administration degree at BCIT. As a natural problem solver with a creative approach, Kim was quickly drawn to marketing as a career. Outside of school, Kim volunteers in the local community and is passionate about connecting and building genuine relationships with the people around her.

In light of this award, Kim has received several job offers, but she is looking to focus on her degree first. Kim also looks forward to utilizing her marketing expertise to give back to the community and to create her own podcast in the future.

Read more about the top places secured by BCIT students at this year’s 2023 American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans.

(Photo credit: American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference, Mark Campbell Productions)