UPMC Hires Alumna Amanda (King) Finkenbinder as a Manager of Marketing Communications Alumni Profile
Meet Amanda (King) Finkenbinder
- Job Title & Employer
- Manager, Marketing Communications, UPMC
- Major/Program
- Broadcast Reporting
- Graduation
- May 2012
- College Activities
- College Students in Broadcasting, U-View, Honors Program
- Scholarships
- Vincent J. LaBarbera, Transfer Merit, School of Communication and CCAC Alumni Scholarship
- Hometown
- Pittsburgh, Pa.
- High School
- Shaler Area High School
- Now Living In
- Pittsburgh, Pa. (North Hills)
- Dream Job
- I aspire to become a Vice President of Marketing Communications for an organization that drives social impact. I also love documentary films and would like to work in that space eventually.
- Hobbies & Interests
- As a foodie, I love trying new restaurants, as well as cooking. I also enjoy hiking, running, yoga, gardening and DIY projects at the house.
"My hands-on courses and internships allowed me to gain skills that the communications industry covets — from writing scripts to producing and editing videos ... My multimedia background, which I developed at Point Park, has allowed me to stand out from other job applicants."
Tell us about the work you do as a manager of marketing communications at UPMC.
I develop and execute marketing strategy to support UPMC Passavant and the organization’s south regional initiatives. My day-to-day includes project management, utilizing data to target clinical marketing efforts, and collaborating with our designers on digital and print advertising. I also write for the UPMC HealthBeat blog and consult on our internal marketing projects.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Knowing that my contributions to UPMC’s blog, ads or events could potentially inspire someone to take a step towards a healthier life propels my daily work.
In what ways did your Point Park experience prepare you for professional success?
My hands-on courses and internships allowed me to gain skills that the communications industry covets — from writing scripts to producing and editing videos. I learned so much from the faculty, including: Helen Fallon, Jesse Colaizzi, Anthony Moretti and so many others. My multimedia background, which I developed at Point Park, has allowed me to stand out from other job applicants.
Also, being able to walk downtown from my internships at KDKA-TV and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to my courses at Point Park was so convenient. The city was our playground for learning.
I owe my ability to meet deadlines, collaborating on teams, and prioritizing to my internships and participation in the campus TV station, U-View, where we created packages from start to finish.
What advice do you have for prospective students?
Utilize your resources and get involved. Join a club related to your major, volunteer with your peers via the Honors Program and immerse yourself in the campus culture by seeing a student show. Your classmates become your network after you graduate. Hold them close to you, as well as your time in college. It goes by quick!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I (legally) married my Point Park sweetheart, Josh Finkenbinder, on June 27, 2020. Due to COVID, we weren’t able to have the large celebration we had planned, but we hope to tie the knot in front of family and friends on June 26, 2021.
More About: alumni, success story, School of Communication Alumni, UPMC, Shaler Area High School, journalism, School of Communication, broadcast reporting, internships, scholarships, transfer, faculty, U-View, Honors Program