Innovision Fall 2018

FALL 2018 | 25 Amanda Meck arrived to Kutztown on a volleyball scholarship and with the hope to major in public relations. But because KU did not offer a PR major, the prestigious accreditation of the College of Business interested Amanda. She decided that a major in marketing would be the route for her because of its creative component and its public speaking aspect. Public speaking is something Amanda loves. Amanda now majors in marketing and finance and minors in economics. “I was looking at a friend’s check sheet in the finance department and there were classes that I wanted to take, like personal financial planning,” said Amanda The practical aspect of the business major is another thing that draws Amanda. “All the things I’m learning about investments and personal financial planning are just good life skills to have. I like the marketing research side of things too,” Amanda said. What drives Amanda is the goal to be one of the females to break through the glass ceiling in the business world. Getting involved to gain experience is one step Amanda has taken to reach that goal. This semester, because of her excellent GPA and a recommendation from her professor, Amanda had become involved with Kutztown’s Applied Investment Management (AIM) program, where she and other selected students manage a large sum of money in equities. Through AIM, Amanda is exposed to an applied hands on experience working with a portfolio. She says,“It’s pretty cool. It gives us that hands on experience.” Amanda is the treasurer of the student government board, a member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success, the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SACC). She is also the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference’s SAAC co-chair where she represents the Eastern Conference of PSAC athletes. Amanda is still involved with the volleyball team. She has just finished her junior season. Even though volleyball started out as the main reason Amanda came to Kutztown, Coach John Gump, allowed Mandy to grow outside of the court. Amanda appreciates his support, “Our coach is very flexible. When I have student government board meetings, I usually have to leave practice early. I definitely appreciate that he’s super supportive of any academic or professional development type stuff.” Without his flexibility, Amanda would have never been able to bloom into the involved woman she is today. Amanda currently works for PSECU in the financial education services department. One of her duties is to help students open accounts with the PSECU. She also creates and conducts activities students can do that will educate them on subjects such as credit scores. She strongly urges students to build credit using a credit card for gas or a Netflix account. Amanda advises students to, “Use a credit card for little things and pay it every month. That’s all you need.” Because of her work ethic and dedication to taking six classes a semester, in addition to winter and summer courses, Amanda sets her eyes on graduating this upcoming May, a year earlier than expected. After graduation, Amanda looks to work in the fields of marketing or finance. She is interested in working with SEI, an investments company, for their associates program. With the good qualities that Amanda has displayed during her time here at KU, she is well on her way to breaking the glass ceiling when it comes to business, but also in the world in general. AMANDA MECK ‘19 Amanda Meck is a senior majoring in both Marketing and Finance with a minor in Economics. “I definitely appreciate that he’s super supportive of any academic or professional development type stuff.”