chuksnwene

[chuksnwene]

Insights on Networking and Career Building from My Digital Marketing Seminar Series course.

What I Learned

Embarking on a journey into the dynamic world of digital marketing is akin to navigating uncharted waters, filled with both exhilarating discoveries and invaluable lessons. Recently, I had the privilege of attending the Digital Media Marketing Seminar Series course facilitated by Prof. Wendy Greenwood, where I got to listen to some amazing speakers share invaluable tips on how to navigate the digital marketing profession. An experience that has really shaped my perspective on career options and networking within the industry.

One speaker who particularly inspired me was Aadhar Mehta, a distinguished George Brown College alumnus, who shared his insights on resilience in the face of rejections. Aadhar's powerful statement, "Everyone faces rejections. If I can make it, you all can make it, too," resonated deeply with me, serving as a poignant reminder that setbacks are inevitable but not insurmountable. Aadhar's positive outlook on rejections transformed my perception, urging me to view them as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

Another captivating speaker was Danielle Humilde, who shared her remarkable journey from a political science and anthropology student to Regional Digital Manager at Marsh McLennan. Danielle's emphasis on embracing change and resilience struck a chord with me, reaffirming the importance of adaptability in the dynamic field of digital marketing. Her story inspired me to remain open to new opportunities, even if they deviate from my initial career path.

However, it was Cathy McKnight's concept of the "year of yes" that truly left a lasting impression on me. Cathy's encouragement to embrace new challenges and opportunities resonated deeply, prompting me to adopt a fearless approach to my career journey. Her insights underscored the transformative power of saying "yes" to new experiences, instilling in me a sense of courage and determination to pursue my passions without hesitation.

Network and Resources

Building a robust network and leveraging resources are essential components of navigating the digital marketing landscape. Throughout the seminar series, I actively engaged in networking opportunities and sought out valuable resources to enhance my job search and career prospects.

One of the key strategies I employed was networking with industry professionals, especially my fellow students and professors who always share amazing job opportunities on LinkedIn. I have networked and built a good relationship with my fellow student, Ruhban Nissar, who has been very helpful to me.

I attended George Brown College’s The Noir night event, where I got to connect with people like me in the college who resonate with the challenges we face as well as celebrate success stories. I forged meaningful connections that provided valuable insights in job searching and potential career opportunities. These networking efforts not only expanded my professional network but also exposed me to diverse perspectives and experiences.

I joined the Toronto Job Networking - Canada Jobs & Technology group on LinkedIn where job opportunities and updates in marketing were shared daily. This enabled me to connect and access valuable resources and job postings.

In terms of job-finding resources, I explored various platforms and tools to streamline my job search process. Some of these resources included:

Indeed

LinkedIn

GBCareers 

They were used to identify potential job opportunities and research prospective employers. Among these resources, LinkedIn proved to be particularly useful, allowing me to showcase my skills and experience, connect with industry professionals, and stay updated on job openings and networking events.

As I continue my journey in digital marketing, I remain committed to nurturing and expanding my professional network, especially on LinkedIn. By staying connected with industry contacts through regular communication and engagement, I aim to leverage these connections to secure a permanent job in marketing upon completing my program.

Additionally, networking has really helped in my current search for a coop position because I get more job postings and opportunities from the students, professors, and professionals I have connected with, and I believe it is only a matter of time before I secure a spot.

Throughout my networking journey, I have learned several valuable tips and practices that I would like to share:

Authenticity: This is key when building professional relationships; genuine connections are more meaningful and enduring.

Proactive engagement: This is essential as well. You shouldn't wait for opportunities to come to you, seize them by actively participating in networking events and reaching out to industry professionals.

Follow up: It is important to keep in touch with contacts and maintain regular communication to nurture and sustain relationships over time.

Lastly, I would like to emphasize that as someone who has transitioned careers approximately three times, starting as an office administrator to a tax assistant, and finally a sales representative, these insights and tips have proven to be truly invaluable to me.

In conclusion, the Digital Marketing Seminar Series course has been an invaluable learning experience which has provided me with the following: 

Insights

Networking opportunities

Resources to navigate the digital marketing landscape effectively. 

By leveraging these learnings and experiences, I am confident in my ability to pursue a successful career in digital marketing and make meaningful contributions to the industry.

#digitalmarketing #networking #connections #jobsearch

[chuksnwene]

Embracing Challenges and Building a Career Path through Cathy McKnight's "Year of Yes" concept

In our professional journeys, there are special moments when we learn important things that really stand out. Cathy McKnight’s presentation during my ‘Digital Marketing Seminars’ course facilitated by Wendy Greenwood was one of those moments. Before I delve deeper into some of the amazing insights that were shared, I will like to say I am grateful for the time taken by the speaker to share these stories and advice that showed me how to find happiness and satisfaction in my career. Her words made me think deeply about my own path of learning and progress. Among all the stories shared, one idea stood out—the "year of yes." It encouraged me even more than before, to say yes to new things, be brave, take on new challenges and keep following my passions without hesitation.

Discovering the Impact of Loving What You Do and Importance of Organizational Culture

Cathy’s presentation prompted deep reflection on the impact of loving what you do and the organizational culture in the workplace. Her insights highlighted the importance of finding fulfillment in one's career and the influence of an organization's size. One particular work experience that exemplifies this is my role as a Tax Officer at Geoplex Drillteq Limited (Oil & Gas), a company characterized by a market organizational structure.

Geoplex operates within a competitive market environment, prioritizing efficiency and results. As a Tax Officer, I experienced firsthand, the fast-paced and result-oriented culture inherent in a market organizational structure. The company's emphasis on achieving measurable outcomes and driving profitability resonated with my professional values, fostering a sense of purpose and motivation in my work. 

This organizational structure appealed to me for several reasons. Firstly, its focus on performance incentivized personal and professional growth, providing great opportunities for advancement based on individual contributions. Additionally, the company's emphasis on innovation fostered a dynamic and collaborative work environment, where creativity and initiative were valued and rewarded. Overall, my experience at Geoplex highlighted the importance of aligning with an organizational culture that values performance and collaboration.

Embracing the Art of the Possible — A Journey of Saying "Yes"

Cathy's anecdote about her "year of yes" resonated deeply with my own journey of embracing new challenges and opportunities. One such experience was saying "yes" to the Sales Representative role at City Sketch Properties in Nigeria, after two years working as a tax officer at Geoplex. This decision ultimately transformed my career trajectory.

Upon accepting the Sales Representative role, I found myself in an unfamiliar territory, with uncertainty and doubt. Despite initial apprehensions, I recognized the potential for growth and development in this new opportunity. Embracing the unknown, I plunged headfirst into the challenges that lay ahead.

The journey was not without its challenges, yet it was through adversity that I discovered resilience within myself. Despite initial uncertainties, I adapted quickly to my new role, drawing upon my strengths and seeking guidance from colleagues. The experience taught me the invaluable lesson that growth often lies beyond the confines of comfort, and resilience is born from embracing challenges.

Reflecting on the Girls Inc. Case Study

The Girls Inc. Case Study offered insights into the power of storytelling and the role of content marketing in effecting meaningful change. Cathy’s feedback highlighted the importance of anchoring the campaign with a central theme and maintaining a regular tone of communication.

Through the Girls Inc. Case Study, I learned that effective content marketing requires a strategic approach grounded in audience engagement. The campaign's focus on raising awareness and fostering community involvement underscored the transformative impact of storytelling in driving social change.

Career Aspirations

As I contemplate future career paths, the prospect of pursuing a career in content marketing holds undeniable appeal. The opportunity to craft compelling narratives and connect with audiences on a profound level resonates deeply with my aspirations as a digital marketing student.

In conclusion, Cathy McKnight's presentation serves as a catalyst for introspection and personal growth, highlighting the pathways to professional fulfillment. From embracing new opportunities to exploring the transformative power of storytelling, her insights have provided invaluable guidance towards success. As I embark on the next chapter of my career journey, I am grateful for the wisdom imparted by Cathy, guiding me towards a future filled with endless possibilities.

#jobsearch #embracingchallenges #contentmarketing

[chuksnwene]

LESSONS FROM DANIELLE HUMILDE'S JOURNEY

As I listened to Danielle Humilde's presentation during my Digital Media Marketing Seminar Series class, facilitated by Professor Wendy Greenwood, I found myself drawn into her journey from a political science and anthropology student to Regional Digital Manager at Marsh McLennan. Her story resonated with me, as I have also ventured into a new field of study and pursued a career shift. Here are some of my takeaways.

Making impactful changes with limited information

Danielle's journey began with uncertainty. She didn't have a clear path laid out before her but she knew what she wanted: to explore the intersection of technology and creativity, a field completely unrelated to what she had studied - Political Science. Her example of pivoting to entrepreneurship during the peak of the pandemic showcased resilience. It shows the importance of thinking outside the box and seizing opportunities, especially in challenging times, exploring her interests and skills in a new context. This highlights her ability to make impactful changes with limited information.

While I have considered entrepreneurship, I haven't actively pursued it due to factors such as financial stability and the comfort of a structured career path. However, Danielle's journey has inspired me to remain open to becoming an entrepreneur in the future, recognizing the potential for growth and fulfillment in one's own path.

“It’s okay to change your mind and keep changing it along the way”

The idea that it's okay to keep changing your mind struck a chord with me. Throughout my life, I have experienced moments where changing my mind led to unexpected and positive outcomes. One such instance was when I decided to pursue a postgraduate certificate in Digital Marketing after completing my bachelor’s in economics and working as an accountant in an oil and gas company back home. Initially, I had reservations about transitioning to a new field, but this decision has not only expanded my skill set but also ignited a passion for digital marketing, leading to new career opportunities and personal growth. As a result, instead of viewing change as a setback, I now see it as an opportunity to grow and explore. I understand that career journeys may take unexpected turns, and that's okay.

Importance of staying resilient

Danielle's emphasis on the importance of resilience was very insightful. In the face of setbacks or challenges, remembering that success looks different for everyone serves as a powerful reminder for me to stay resilient and remain focused on my own journey. Knowing how easy it is to compare oneself to others, especially in a competitive field like digital marketing, recognizing that success is subjective allows me to define my own path and celebrate my achievements, no matter how small they may seem. It also reminds me of advice my high school teacher always gave me back then; “comparison is a killer of joy”. All these encourage me to stay true to myself, embrace change and focus on my personal growth.

Finally, success, for me, is about achieving a sense of fulfillment and making a positive impact in my endeavours as well as continuously learning, adapting, and pursuing my passions with determination.

In conclusion, Danielle’s journey serves as a source of inspiration and guidance as I navigate my own career in digital marketing. Her resilience, ability to adapt and willingness to embrace change have been very insightful for me. As I continue my journey, I'll carry her lessons with me, remaining open to new opportunities, embracing change, and defining success on my own terms.

#digitalmarketing #jobsearch #embracingchange