Embracing the Unexpected: My Journey from Digital Marketing Student to Digital Media Promoter
I canāt believe I am reaching the end of the academic period of my Digital Marketing Postgrad Program at George Brown College! And all of us peer are all heading to the Co-op semester, which is exciting and stressful(REALLY!) at the same time. Anyway, before I go back to work, I want to pause and reflect a bit on our Marketing Seminar series this semester.Ā
What I learned from the Seminar
We have the privilege to have numerous guest speakers, who are all gurus in their fields, to share their stories, experiences and knowledge in Digital Marketing. Each weekās theme is different, including Social media, Paid media, E-commerce, Omni-channel, Search Marketing, and so on(Donāt be dazzled, these are all areas covered in Digital Marketing, and there are more!)
One speaker who inspired me the most was Brian Morrison, a senior director at Rexall. (He was also in one of the previous E-journal blogs, make sure to check it out!) As someone whoās particularly interested in Cutomer Relationship Management, his sharing about the significance of loyalty programs in collecting valuable customer data, and how they integrate various channels to facilitate personalized offers on Customer Data Platforms (CDP) are incredibly insightful. This concept resonated with me, especially as it related to a project I worked on during my undergraduate studies. Morrison's career path reminded me that a marketer's journey is not linear and that adaptability is key in this dynamic fieldā.Ā
The single biggest thing that I came out of these seminars with though was the fact that the digital marketing field is an area that requires ongoing learning and that nothing is set in stone. Again, the market is never stagnant and requires a commitment to take up new technologies and skills to counter the market. This is significant because it points out the significance of the proactive approach in developing ones career and the constant search for ways to improve and adapt to changes in the determined industry.
Breaking Out of Your Comfort Zone and Building a Professional Network
As for my co-op hunting, I have explored LinkedIn and Indeed, trying to send out my resume to HR, but sadly I didnāt get any positive responses. I have also attended activities like the digital symposium and job fair held by the Center of Business. As an introvert, I found myself pushing through my limit to socialize with people. Although it was tiring, but I felt a sense of achievement when I stepped out of my comfort zone.Ā
I understand that networking could be super uncomfortable, but I definitely learn more about not only the industry knowledge but most importantly, myself! Through the process of sharing and listening, I understand and know which field I am more interested in and more willing to devote myself to. Here are some tips that I learned along the way:Ā
Donāt be afraid to share your story It is a good icebreaker as you are making someone feel like their life, despite its peculiarity, is quite normal. When it is describing your school or college days, a project that you have done, or even your passion for digital marketing, it brings out the genuineness of the person and the interest one has in that particular sector.
Practice Active Listening People do not only talk in the context of networking but also listen. Listen with the intent to understand all that the other person is saying. This allows you to be familiar with the people you are dealing with and this makes your dealings more profitable as you add value.
Stay Positive and Persistent Networking involves rejection. Going through some rejections may be normal before getting a single yes. Alas, the fluidity that we had been dreaming of when planning the invention can be a problem at this stage. It means, do not despair if something does not work out the way you expected at first. Indeed, as with any activity in life, the general advice is to stay positive, fine-tune oneās strategy, and persistently expand oneās contacts list.
Turning a Part-Time Job into a Co-op Opportunity
Like those epic stories, my coop finding has ebbs and flows. I have to say I am a super lucky girl. Since I havenāt heard good news back from the job-hunting. I took a part-time job first to cover a bit of my living expenses at a bubble tea shop. Surprisingly, as I told the boss I am studying Digital Marketing and how I can help promote the brand. The boss offered me a job as their digital media promoter! I guess this is it! I found the job!! Who knows where life would take you? I also got some key takeaways from this god blessed surprise, hope it would help!
Communicate Your Skills and Ambitions
When I mentioned my Digital Marketing studies to my boss, I didnāt expect it to lead to a job offer. However, being transparent about my skills and how I could contribute to the business opened up this unexpected door.
Seize Every Opportunity
Initially, I took the part-time job just to cover my expenses. But when the opportunity to do something related to my field came up, I seized it without hesitation. This decision not only helped me gain relevant experience but also help building my resume for my future career.
The Journey AheadĀ
Life do not come when you are expecting them to come. Instead of complaining about bearing minor responsibilities, I was often enthusiastic to show every acquired skill I had, and thus turned a mere part-time job into a beneficial co-op placement.
Iām less concerned about them now as I go further in the course. As I move forward with my digital marketing career, I still have these lessons with me. To all other participating in the job seeking, be relieved that every experience counts. Personally, remain open, always be on the lookout and you might just stumble into your own chance.
All in all, networking and announcing oneself can open up a completely unexpected door. What can I contribute is something that should always be prepared to state, it does not mean that you must state it in the interview formally but must be prepared for that moment when your boss may decide to ask you. It might be this week, it might not, so one cannot know when a greater opportunity will arise.











