The Power of Networking

        When I first started my marketing program at George Brown College, I thought success would come from mastering my digital marketing skills and blasting out applications. I assumed the traditional route of submitting applications online would land me my first job, but over the past 8 months, I have learned there is only one thing that truly sets you apart from the rest, and that is networking.

        Now, I’m not talking about just handing out resumes and business cards to people in the industry. I’m talking about building meaningful relationships with people who can offer you advice, introduce you to new opportunities, connect you with new people, and sometimes even help you land your dream job. This semester has completely changed my perspective on how to approach my job search, and it all started with one class: Digital Media Marketing Seminar Series.

A New Perspective on Career Paths

        Before diving into networking, I had a very narrow view of what my marketing career could look like. I was conflicted between my two passions – corporate events and digital marketing. I thought I would have to pick a lane and stick with it, but when I listened to industry professionals share their journeys in the seminar series, I realized that I had endless possibilities.

        For example, Hannah Elston started out as a writer and eventually made the switch to producing as well. What stuck with me about Hannah’s story was how she seamlessly blended her passion for both writing and producing into a career that felt true to her interests and skills. It was eye-opening because I’ve always had a passion for corporate events and digital marketing, but I was convinced I would have to choose between the two. Hannah’s story showed me that it is possible to find a role that combines both passions.

        This is where I learned the value of being flexible with your career trajectory. If you are open to opportunities, there is no reason why your role can’t evolve to meet your passions. I started looking into experiential marketing, a field that integrates both marketing strategy and live event coordination. I had no idea this even existed until recently, and suddenly a whole new world of career opportunities was available to me.

Building Relationships That Matter

         Networking isn’t just about finding people who can give you a job. It’s about building a community of other marketing professionals who share the same interests as you and can offer guidance. Throughout this semester, I’ve made some incredible connections that have already made a huge impact on my career journey.

        For the past year I have been a volunteer at the American Marketing Association (AMA) as an Event Manager. I attend all their networking events, including their Legendary Leadership Series hosted in October. One of the first people I connected with was Sandra Sanderson, the CMO of Empire Company Limited. Not only did Sandra offer me insights into how to approach my job search, but she also helped me understand everything I need to know about marketing for a CPG company. She told me about her personal career journey, and how she has worked in different industries including media and entertainment, food and beverage, and fashion and apparel. The best part about this was that I never expected to connect with someone as experienced as Sandra. All it takes is one conversation at a networking event, and from there we developed a relationship. Through other AMA events, I was able to establish connections with many more industry professionals, including:

• Dawn Becker – President of BPL Events
• Judy Lewis – Cofounder of Strategic Objectives
• Aleksandra Lekic – Senior Specialist at IBM
• Louise Taylor – Founder of Firefly Effect
• Adrian Radoi – Business Solutions at CAAT Pension Plan

        In addition to the AMA events, I also attended the George Brown College Career Fair, which was another valuable opportunity to connect with industry professionals. At the fair, I had the chance to meet with Angelika Lagowski from the Canadian Marketing Association, and both Sean Burke and Karley Gleadall from XMC. These conversations gave me a deeper understanding of the diverse career paths in marketing and allowed me to expand my network even further. I kept in touch with all three of them and was able to schedule coffee chats and even secure interviews after the event.

Networking is The Key to Landing a Job

        When I first began my job search, I relied on traditional job search platforms like Indeed, LinkedIn, Google, Company Websites, and the GBC Portal. While these platforms helped me find listings, I quickly realized that networking was the real game-changer. Almost all my interviews came from connections I have made through networking, not online applications. 

        To maintain these relationships, I make it a point to check in with my network every few months, whether through a simple “how are you?” message or by suggesting another coffee chat. This keeps me top-of-mind for potential opportunities down the line, and it helps me develop a consistent relationship with each person.

        Networking has played a crucial role in my job search this semester. Through connections made at AMA events and the George Brown Career Fair, I’ve been able to expand my network largely and gain valuable insights into the marketing industry. Although I have not landed a coop placement yet, these relationships are a perfect example of how building genuine connections can open doors, even if the opportunities don’t come immediately.

        One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is not to approach networking with the expectation of immediate results. Instead, focus on building authentic connections. Even if someone doesn’t have an opportunity for you now, staying in touch means you could be the first person they think of when the right job opens up. Ultimately, networking is not just about landing a job; it’s about building relationships that can support and guide you throughout your entire career journey.