What I Hope To Get Out of My First Year in QMA
By Logan Wickstone
As a first-year commerce student at Queen’s University, one of the things you realize is that there are so many ways to get involved, and it can sometimes be overwhelming to figure out what you want to pursue. However, for me, joining QMA was the decision I felt most confident about. Even though I’ve only been part of this team for a couple of months, I can already see how much this experience will contribute to my growth, not just professionally or academically, but as a person in general. So here’s what I hope to take away from my first year in QMA.
1. Build Relationships That Actually Matter
The word networking gets thrown around a lot in business schools, and while we all acknowledge how important it is, we sometimes lose sight of what it really means. Looking back on my first year, I’ve noticed that many people talked about how they were constantly networking, which, if I am being truthful, for a while, made me feel like I wasn’t doing enough. But here’s what I’ve come to understand: a lot of that “networking” is just brief two-minute conversations followed by a LinkedIn connection that gets forgotten just as quickly, and that is where it ends.
What I’m looking for is far more than that. I am someone who has always been an advocate for the idea of quality over quantity, and that applies to this situation as well. Instead of quick chats and empty connections, I want to build real, meaningful relationships. Whether it's with other QMA executive members or the industry professionals we engage with through QMAC, I want to connect with people I can learn from, grow with, and hopefully even work alongside one day. I believe we become reflections of the people we surround ourselves with—and being part of a team like QMA, where everyone brings ambition, creativity, and energy into everything they do, inspires me every day. Through opportunities like QMAC, where we connect with driven, insightful industry professionals, I’m constantly pushed to grow into a better version of myself.
2. Discovering What Kind of Marketing I Like
When I applied to QMA back in September and again in January, I knew I was passionate about marketing, but I did not know what area truly excited me. And to be honest, I still don’t. While I have a general idea of what marketing involves– like storytelling or persuading an audience to connect with a product or service, I’m still figuring out whether I am more drawn to branding, strategy, content creation, or something else entirely. That’s exactly why QMA has been such a valuable space for me.
As Content Coordinator, I’ve had the opportunity to get a better look at how QMA communicates. Whether that is through articles in our nucleus, Instagram posts, or drafting emails for our delegates, I see it as a chance to experiment with different types of messaging, see what resonates, and start to identify my strengths. I’m excited to explore the creative side of marketing and also learn how that creativity ties into bigger strategies and goals. Hopefully, by the end of the year, I’ll have a better sense of where I want to take my passion for marketing moving forward, but at the same time, I know that that passion may change.
3. Expose Myself to Opportunities I Wouldn’t Know About Otherwise
There’s a lot of work that goes into getting into a club like QMA, and after all that effort, it’s tempting to take your foot off the gas. But for me, getting in doesn’t mean the hard work is over– it means the opportunities have just started. Just being a part of QMA is not enough– I’ve been given this position, so I want to make something of it so I’m not here to just do the bare minimum.
Some of the best opportunities that I will have this year won't be handed to me, they’ll come from me being present, staying engaged, and stepping into spaces that aren’t technically part of “my job.” I want to get involved in areas outside of my lane, because I know there is value in understanding how all the pieces connect.
As a naturally curious person, I like to listen and observe, so I want to make use of this trait, as I believe there is a lot that can be learned. Whether it’s watching how other co-chairs and directors make decisions or how marketing professionals speak at our events, these moments– that are easily overlooked– can lead to the most exciting opportunities and biggest growth.
4. Have a Genuine Impact on QMA
One of the things I’ve come to quickly appreciate about QMA is that it fosters a culture where every voice is valued– whether you’ve just joined or you’ve been around for years–the team is welcoming, supportive, and open to new ideas, which is exactly what you hope for as a new member. That showed up right away in the trust I was given. From pitching blog topics to shaping our content tone, or helping define QMA’s online presence, I’ve been encouraged to speak up– and that freedom has motivated me to go further.
As one of the newest members, it’s natural to sometimes feel like my voice doesn’t carry as much weight. There are upper-year executive members with more experience, and I really admire everything they bring to the table. But being part of QMA means being in a space where it’s safe to offer new ideas and grow from them. I was chosen for this role for a reason, and I want to step into it with confidence. There’s still a lot I’m learning—but I’m picking things up quickly, contributing where I can, and I know that over time, those efforts will turn into meaningful impact.
So, what I hope to get out of my first year in QMA is simple: growth, connection, community and contribution. And in just a few months, I’ve already seen all four. Being part of a team that is driven, creative, and supportive has made it easier to push myself, speak up, and take on challenges I might have hesitated to before. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I’m excited to keep showing up, getting involved, and making the most of this amazing opportunity.