Insights from Michael Hatswell's session : My Reflections and Path Forward

Listening to Michael Hatswell, Assistant Media Buyer/Planner at Essence Mediacom, share his journey and career strategies, I couldn’t help but think about my path in digital marketing. As a student currently pursuing a Post-Graduate certificate in Digital Media from George Brown College, I'm constantly seeking ways to enhance my professional skills. He shared his thoughts on networking, ways of seeking jobs, and experiences in Performance Marketing. Here, I’ll reflect on his key points and how they’re shaping my career approach.

1. Networking Essentials: From Classrooms to Coffee Chats

Michael insisted on building a network, and for that, one has to start with the peers and professors. I did relate to his active participation, keeping cameras on during virtual classes, and reaching out to professors for guidance. It reminds me of a group project when I initiated some additional check-ins to make sure everyone was on track. I learned in that experience how being reliable improves trust. This will be followed by one-on-one meetings with professors on interests in marketing that seem to be an appropriate fit based on my strengths and interests.

2. Applying to Roles Thoughtfully: Tailor-Making Resumes and Setting Alerts

Michael suggested that a person tailor each resume and cover letter to each job. He even went so far as to recommend resources such as ChatGPT to begin with first drafts, while again emphasizing personal edits. This truly resonated with me because usually, I try to make my applications quite broad for efficiency. He has inspired me to want to dedicate a little bit more time toward really highlighting a few projects, such as managing campaigns in college, to allow myself to stand out more in my applications.

3. LinkedIn Strategy: Beyond Connections

A simple follow-up on LinkedIn introduced Michael to his role at Essence Mediacom. He encouraged us to follow professionals in our industry, engage with posts, and set up job alerts to train the LinkedIn algorithm. Since his talk, I've been making these small changes to my profile and have already noticed more visibility after connecting with marketing experts and alumni. That's a good start, and I'm going to refine it continuously thereafter.

4. Attending Marketing Events and Case Competitions

Michael further suggested attending marketing events and competitions for experience and a portfolio, especially for those who were at an early stage of their careers. This was new, which I had not thought of, but since then, I started looking into competitions that involve digital marketing. I'm excited to possibly add those to my LinkedIn and resume to add some experience and confidence.

5. Inside Performance Marketing: Creativity Meets Data

Michael is in Performance Marketing, running ad campaigns, budgeting, and analytics to drive results for clients such as Universal Pictures. I actually related to his enthusiasm for the perfect blend of creativity and data-driven decision-making. It is that measurable impact that Performance Marketing focuses on that excites me about digital marketing. Guided by his example, I will look into certifications in the Performance Marketing field as a means of increasing my knowledge and opening opportunities similar to those he has experienced.

Conclusion: Stride Confidently into the Future

Michael's story taught me that every tiny step counts towards networking, updating on LinkedIn, and wiser application strategies. From Michael's experiences, now, I have a drive to build my career gradually and am excited to see where these new strategies will take me. I am really grateful for his advice and now better equipped to move on with determination and focus in this ever-growing digital marketing field.