CAMDEN — As the end of the year approaches, so does the season of giving, which typically means an increase in charitable donations to many local and national organizations. Behind the scenes, it’s the culmination of a year’s worth of hard work for Amelia Kaselaan, who is carving out her niche in the marketing industry.
Kaselaan, a senior marking major at the Rutgers School of Business–Camden, is playing a big part in Subaru of America’s annual “Share the Love” event, a charitable campaign held at the end of every year.
“It goes on for only a couple of months, but in reality it’s a year-long project,” Kaselaan says.
As an intern at Subaru’s Cherry Hill headquarters last year, Kaselaan was a point of contact for retailers and nonprofit organizations involved in the campaign, worked on marketing materials, and led communications meetings.
Her hard work during the year-long internship has led to a part-time position as a marketing data analyst at Subaru, where she is again preparing to kick off the “Share the Love” event in a few short weeks.
During the event, Subaru donates $250 for every new vehicle sold or leased to a charity of the customer’s choice.
“It’s a great experience because it does so much to help the community and that fits in very well with my career goals,” Kaselaan says. “I’m drawn to cause marketing because I want to work in a field where I can do good things and give back, which has always been important to me.”
Working with nonprofit organizations is a natural fit for the Marlton resident and Haddonfield Memorial High School graduate. At Rutgers University–Camden, Kaselaan organized a Goodwill drive through the Business Leadership Development Program and has participated in various other civic engagement programs.
“There are so many programs that students can get involved with here at Rutgers and through the Career Center and many are tied to community development,” she says. “Those programs have given me experience working with the community and building charitable campaigns. It’s been invaluable.”
“I think allowing yourself to be creative and just put an idea out there really helps a person be successful.”
Prior to finding the internship at Subaru through the Rutgers–Camden Career Center, Kaselaan worked as a marketing assistant at Fisher Glenn, LLC, an accounting firm in Stratford, and held an internship at the Philadelphia Zoo, where she led various digital marketing efforts.
“I would not be where I am today without all of the experiences I’ve had,” she says. “Each has been different and each was a challenge, but they provided me with a lot of quality experience and helped me grow as a leader.”
Kaselaan’s leadership abilities have already caught the attention of the marketing industry. In April 2013, she was recognized as one of “Philly’s Future” outstanding marketing professionals by the Philly Ad Club, which awarded scholarships to 10 college students studying advertising and communications.
“I think allowing yourself to be creative and just put an idea out there really helps a person be successful,” Kaselaan says. “In the marketing world, everybody’s ideas are flowing and everyone has a common goal, but things may not go right all the time. Having confidence in yourself and having a team behind you can make it all work.”