03.10.25
By Shannon Moore
College campuses are hotspots for brands looking to connect with Gen Z. With thousands of students in one place, campuses are the perfect setting for promotional marketing. Brands understand the influence college students have on their peers and often want energetic, outgoing individuals to represent them at campus marketing events, product samplings, and activations.
That’s where campus brand ambassador roles come into play. Both event staffing agencies and brands prioritize hiring college students to represent them because they bring authenticity to the event, and Gen Z consumers can relate to them. And for the students working in this role, it’s more than just a great paycheck – it’s an opportunity to gain experience and skills that can help boost their resumes.
Unlike traditional part-time roles, working on multiple short-term events allows you to quickly accumulate relevant experience and professional skills. Each event helps you acquire new skills and network with new people, enabling you to build your resume and work history more quickly than a single, long-term role.
Promo work isn’t repetitive—no two activations are ever the same! At one event, you may be distributing samples of a new product as part of a street team, and at the next, working on an immersive activation and engaging students in fun, interactive experiences. The variety not only makes the role more exciting but also gives you exposure to many different skills.
No matter your career goals, the skills and experience you gain as a brand ambassador will serve you well. An example of transferable skills you might expect to gain include:
All of these skills are valuable assets when applying for internships or full-time roles.
On-campus activations connect you with marketing professionals, event coordinators, managers, industry leaders, and other brand ambassadors. Getting to know these individuals and making a strong impression on them may lead to more gigs and even full-time roles after graduation.
Speaking confidently with different types of people – whether it be consumers, clients, or other brand ambassadors – is an essential career skill. Working on promo events gives you real-life experience in communicating and helps you build confidence that will help you during job interviews and in the workplace.
Giving yourself a chance to try out various work experiences helps you discover what you like to do. You might find you love the consumer engagement aspect of events, or you might realize the behind-the-scenes/production side is more your style. Experiencing different event elements and everything that goes into an event can help you determine what appeals to you the most and help guide you in finding a career that genuinely interests you.
Campus marketing is a flexible, convenient, and well-paying job for college students, and it can be a launchpad for your future career. Whether you’re seeking to gain experience, expand your network, or build valuable skills, working on promotional events is a smart move for your future.
