Beyond Clicks: Networking, Self-Discovery, and Planning
Building a Career Compass
Have you already planned your next step in your career? This marks the near end of my academic journey. After completing two study programs, it was time to take the next step: full immersion in the world of work, unencumbered by additional tasks. Throughout this journey, the term “Networking” echoed incessantly as one of the most crucial tools for achieving professional goals. It was the very first word I encountered at the outset of both academic programs.
During my participation in a series of seminars offered in the Digital Marketing class, led by Professor Wendy Greenwood , I had the privilege of learning from marketers who operate across diverse industries. Networking played a pivotal role in their journeys, propelling them to their current positions.
For instance, consider Danielle Wilcox Humilde . As I previously mentioned in one of my articles, she embarked on her entrepreneurial career during an internship, with the company she interned at becoming her first client. Simultaneously, she diligently cultivated her professional network, eventually positioning herself for further entrepreneurial pursuits or potential alignment with one of the client companies.
I’ve come to appreciate the importance of maintaining a holistic perspective across academic, work, and personal realms. This broader outlook enables me to strategically plan, considering all available options and potential paths. When building my career, I recognize the need to:
Having this map is important to be able to have a north of where to go. Otherwise, I would begin to take uncertain steps that would lead me in a certain way to professional failure or to have a work life that I do not want and that would lead to unhappiness.
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From Textbooks to the Real World
I began building this network with my classmates. All my classmates from both programs are also seeking their own paths, but eventually, some will come to support others in various ways, including some of my program professors. I followed the same practice during my first job here in Canada. I had the opportunity to work in a technology startup accelerator for a year. Along the way, I met a large number of people and their companies that are making strides in opening up the market in this country. Within the same company, numerous events are held each year, which I have had the opportunity to attend.
?LinkedIn is one of the best-designed virtual spaces for building a solid network of contacts. However, it is also a platform to join interest groups that can help shape the path you want to follow. Some examples of these groups, to which I belong, and which can possibly provide you with more knowledge, include:
One of the last stages during my time at the academy involves the search for a co-op placement. Surprisingly, this has turned out to be one of the most frustrating steps I’ve encountered. I’ve never received such an influx of messages before.
?“Thank you so much for your interest in working at [Company] Canada and for your recent application to the Marketing Co-op - Summer 2024 role. We have reviewed your experience, and, after careful consideration, we have decided to move forward with other candidates that better fit our role requirements. With that said, we hope you don’t mind us reaching out to you directly about other opportunities at [company]!”
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As driven students, we go out to find chances at multinational companies, a path that frequently takes us into the intimidating world of applications. Imagine hundreds of motivated applicants fighting for one desired message. Even when chances appear overwhelming, our perseverance keeps us moving ahead.
Think of the job postings when there are more than 200 applications—a sea of resumes, hopes, and ambitions. It's normal to experience some degree of skepticism and question if our efforts will be successful. However, there is an attraction—a common goal—to have the noticeable logo of a big, well-known corporation shown on our résumé. Of course, where are the chances of reaching one of these positions? Even so, seeing positions in which there are more than 200 applications does not fill us with much hope, but who wouldn't want to have a large and recognized company on their resume?
Therefore, one of my takeaways from this process is to seek out companies that operate under the radar—those that aren’t widely known. In Ontario, there are over 480 thousand companies?(Statista, 2024). Consequently, it’s essential to consider other organizations that can contribute to professional growth. Networking plays a crucial role in standing out. The network I established during my first job is instrumental in advancing my career. Additionally, some startups may require support for their marketing initiatives, and my existing network could connect me with others who have similar needs.
In the world of networking, the phrase "the more people you know, the better" may seem reasonable, but my experience has shown me that the quality of the connections made is what truly matters for success. In this way, networking is more about locating key individuals with whom you can form deep ties than it is about randomly collecting contacts. These connections are based on mutual respect, trust, and sincere interest in each other's professional development.
By emphasizing quality, networking becomes an effective instrument for:
In conclusion, even while it may be tempting to apply to well-known organizations, it is ultimately more beneficial to concentrate on developing a solid network of high-quality contacts. Through this network, you may get more information, get employment, and develop a powerful personal brand. Look past the gaudy brands and focus on startups or smaller businesses where your network can really make an impact. Recall that the quality of the relationships you create matters more than the number of connections you make. Establishing sincere relationships founded on reciprocal respect and shared interests will put you on the right path to reaching your professional objectives.
References
Statista. (2024, March 11). Companies in Canada - Statistics and facts. Retrieved from https://www.statista.com/topics/7743/companies-in-canada/#:~:text=Canada%20has%20around%201.3%20million,270%2C000%20and%20200%2C000%20units%2C%20respectively.
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