<p>Prior to enrolling in the <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/content/sps-nyu/explore/degrees-and-programs/executive-masters-in-marketing-and-strategic-communications.html">Executive Master’s in Marketing and Strategic Communications</a>, Amber Weinberger built a successful career in advertising sales and cultivating strong client relationships. As she advanced, she realized she wanted to play a bigger role in shaping strategy rather than selling someone else’s.</p> <p>&nbsp;“I knew I had the experience, the instincts, and the ambition to lead strategy,” says Weinberger. “But I needed the toolkit and the credibility to step into the room where decisions are made.”</p> <p>That prompted Weinberger to enroll in the one-year, immersive executive master’s program at NYU SPS. “This program is like getting an MBA that’s completely focused on marketing and communications,” she says. “Every course has helped me think more critically, communicate more effectively, and act more strategically.”</p>

<p>One of the first things that stood out to Weinberger was the program’s structure. Designed specifically for working professionals, the executive master’s program is intensive but flexible, with meetings that allow students to balance their studies with full-time careers.</p> <p>“It was built for people like me,” she says. “I can stay in my job while upskilling for my future.” In one class, Weinberger developed a go-to-market strategy for a real company. In another, she tackled crisis communications and executive presence.</p> <p>Weinberg’s instructors bring timely topics into every session, whether generative AI, brand transformation, or C-suite storytelling—challenging students to apply what they learn through real-world simulations and strategic briefs. “There’s no hand-holding,” Weinberger says. “You’re expected to lead conversations, solve problems, and think at an executive level.”</p>

<p>What surprised Weinberger most was the strength of the community she found. Her classmates came from diverse industries including tech, media, fashion, and public service, but share a common goal: to lead. “We push each other to be better, and we celebrate each other’s growth,” she says. “It’s not just a cohort, it’s a network of future executives.”</p> <p>From late-night group projects to after-class conversations about leadership and career pivots, the relationships she’s built have become a defining part of her experience. In a brand strategy class, Weinberger worked on a live brief from a company she’s always admired. The project pushed her to synthesize insights, collaborate under pressure, and present strategic recommendations to senior leaders. “You’re not just writing papers. You’re solving problems. That’s what makes the learning stick.”</p> <p>She also points to courses in storytelling and executive communication as especially transformative. From writing compelling narratives to learning how to command a room, Weinberger has found a new level of power in her voice as a leader. Through public speaking sessions, storytelling workshops, and targeted coaching, she has honed her ability to command attention, speak with purpose, and influence with clarity.</p> <p>“I’ve never felt more confident walking into a room and presenting an idea,” Weinberger says. “Now I know how to frame a message, how to lead with intention, and how to influence at the highest level. I know exactly what kind of leader I want to be now,” she adds. “And I have the tools to become her.”</p>