My Networking Experience

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As this semester comes to a close, I would like to thank Wendy Greenwood for all the seminars she has arranged for us, and all the connections she has facilitated throughout this semester. I am also incredibly grateful for all the speakers and classmates for fostering a positive, healthy learning environment that has enabled me to explore, experiment and examine myself and my interests in both a professional and personal capacity. ??

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What I Learned

This course has definitely taught and helped me build on my technical knowledge and insight, however I believe the most valuable lessons I’ve learnt were the soft skills the guest speakers encouraged us to practice. Guest speakers were always very supportive of all our ideas and urged us all to share our thoughts regardless of whether or not they were correct. They were also very happy to connect with us on LinkedIn and answer any questions we may have. A number of speakers also had very interesting backgrounds and journeys about how they discovered their passion and ended up in their current role. Listening to their stories was very inspirational as I am currently in a period of transition where I am looking deviated from the traditional linear path in order to discover and hopefully pursue my true passion. I’d like to highlight of the most important lessons I’ve learnt thought my time in the course:

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1. The power of networking:

My previous experience in a non-business field meant I had very limited experience with networking. Prior to this class, I was under the impression that networking was simply about elevator pitches, exchanging business cards and sending follow up emails. Throughout this course, I learnt that it was much more than that.

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Networking is really about building long lasting genuine relationships with others who share similar goals and interest, or with those you want to work with or look up to.

These relationships are not only a great way to learn, and exchange value. they can also be a system for support, advice and guidance, a method of developing your name and reputation, and most importantly, a way to find new opportunities.

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A few speakers brought up how they ended up at their current job through their network and were introduced to opportunities that were not known to the public or they had never initially considered applying to. Every person you develop and build a long-lasting relationship with is an opportunity for you to grow and take yourself to the next level.

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The popular saying “your network is your net worth” really highlights the importance of having a strong network in order to expand your pool of resources and opportunities.. As a recent graduate looking for job opportunities like myself, building a diverse network is crucial not only for job hunting, but also for personal growth, development and learning opportunities.

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2. The importance of reaching out:

Job fairs and networking events are a great place to network, but its important to recognize that we can also take initiative and reach out to individuals you look up to, want to connect with or just find interesting outside of these events. Platforms such as LinkedIn make it very easy to do so. Reaching out can sometimes be frightening, but the successful connection that could be made can be worth so much more. The process of reaching out is also a way to develop your communication and interpersonal skills which are transferable soft skills that are essential for success in almost all areas of life.

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3. Always be open to trying new things:

Being open is the key to personal and professional growth. As the world and the industry changes rapidly, we should be open to embrace new ideas, experiences, tools and technology for the betterment of our roles. Only a few decades ago, marketing was really about art and emotions. It was the integration and application of the technology, data analysis and other scientific methods to marketing practices that revolutionized the industry into what is it today. It is only because of these changes that we now have new roles such as Marketing Scientist, SEO specialist, and Social Media Analyst. Making sure to stay in the loop on new information can give us a broader perspective that open us up to new opportunities and possibilities.

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4. Never give up.

Job searching is hard and often times we’re left hanging and wondering if we should keep trying, that maybe some things just aren’t meant to be. In these moments, patience and perseverance is key. Multiple guest speakers have emphasized that it is key to keep trying and be confident in your own skills and abilities. Everyone has something special and unique to bring to the table and it is only a matter of time before you will find that perfect role for you to do so.

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Network & Resources

Throughout this semester, I made an effort to build my professional network and find resources that could help me in my job search. I attended various networking events, career fairs and connected with a number professionals in the industry on LinkedIn.

As a result of my efforts, I was able to talk to and learn from industry professionals who provided me with valuable insights and advice about their journey navigating the industry and finding the best fitting role for themselves. I also gained access to a wide range of resources, including job boards, career fairs, and LinkedIn connections, that helped me stay up-to-date on industry trends and job opportunities.

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One of the most successful networking events I attended was the GBC job fair hosted by my university. There, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from a number of different companies and learn about their hiring processes and job openings. I also had the chance to put what I learnt in this course into practice and refine my networking skills. It was in this job fair where I connected with an industry professional and ultimately landed me with my current job opportunity. In my current role, I dabble in content creation, UX/UI as well as digital marketing strategy.

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When I first enrolled into the Digital Media Marketing course, I didn’t quite know what it was, or rather, had very limited knowledge regarding what it truly entailed. I had just graduated from a completely unrelated undergraduate degree and was honestly just looking for something new, exciting and different to try out. ?I decided to embark on a journey in digital marketing as it appeared to be a very versatile skillset that was needed in a number of different industries. It was truly through this course that I was able to learn so much about the different aspects within the field of digital media marketing and the critical role all forms of marketing have in helping businesses achieve their objectives.

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Without this seminar and the plethora of industry professional who have taken valuable time out of their day to discuss their journey, teach us about their roles provide us with valuable insights into different career paths and about the day-to-day responsibilities of various roles, I do not believe I would have be able to find my current position and discover where my true passion lies.

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Overall, I am confident that the network, insights and resources I have built and learned over the course of this semester will serve me well as I embark my journey within this industry. Once again, thank you so much to all the speakers, my classmates and Wendy Greenwood ?for their dedication to my education and for providing me with such a remarkable learning experience this semester!