This semester wasn’t just another series of lectures and assignments, it was a game-changer. Through the Marketing Seminar series, I found myself immersed in conversations, ideas, and real-world insights that reshaped how I viewed my future in marketing.
One moment that stands out is Qashif Effendi’s session, it was a powerful reminder that marketing isn’t about going viral, it’s about delivering impact. His emphasis on aligning campaigns with real consumer behavior echoed everything I’ve recently come to value in performance-driven marketing.
Here’s what I learned, and how I’m already putting it into action.
Lessons that shifted my mindset
Qashif Effendi reminded us that marketing is about making an impact. His message about aligning marketing with consumer behavior shifted how I viewed content and strategy.
After his session, I went back and reviewed my social media posts. I asked myself, “Does this reflect what I want to be known for?” That moment of clarity led me to redesign my Linkedln content strategy, shifting my focus from attention-grabbing to value-adding. Now, I create posts that are built around intention and purpose, not just likes and clicks.
Design with intention
John Cardoso introduced the idea of aesthetic strategy, the connection between design and perception. He taught us that design isn’t just visual; it’s emotional and functional. Every font, color, and layout tells a story.
Inspired by his talk, I:
- Redesigned my résumé to make it clean, minimalist, and easy to navigate
- Began storyboarding a future “About Me” deck to present who I am visually and professionally
Every element now reflects my evolving brand, and more importantly, who I’m becoming.
How I’m building my network
This semester, I didn’t just sit and listen. I took action, building real connections and refining my presence online and offline.
- GBC Job Fairs: I engaged with fellow students, employers, and professionals who generously shared their career advice and experiences.
- Networking Mixer with Entrepreneurs: I introduced myself and mentioned I was looking for a co-op opportunity. That’s where I met the founder of Monkey Lingo, who later offered me a co-op role as a Digital Marketing Specialist for the next semester.
- I connected with a few professionals from the talks and stayed connected with them on LinkedIn.
- I attended career connect at George Brown and followed up with one of the speakers on LinkedIn.
These small steps helped me turn ideas into action, and conversations into opportunities.
How networking opened new doors
One meaningful outcome from this semester was growing my LinkedIn network from 432 to 899 connections. That growth wasn’t just about numbers, it led to real conversations and new opportunities.
At one point, a marketing and HR professional reached out, impressed with my résumé, and asked if I was open to work. I let them know I had already accepted a co-op position at Monkey Lingo, a role I found through networking at an entrepreneur event I signed up for via Eventbrite. I connected with one of their team members during the event, followed up on LinkedIn, and that connection ultimately led to the opportunity.
It was a great reminder that networking doesn’t have to be formal, just intentional. Being present and open to conversation can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Where I’m headed next
I’m excited to begin my co-op as a Digital Marketing Specialist at Monkey Lingo next Semester. I’m not just showing up to work, I’m showing up with intention.
Thanks to everything I’ve learned this semester, I now have:
- A clear, intentional personal brand
- A digital portfolio that reflects my strengths
- A networking strategy based on real connection, not cold applications
This journey isn’t just about landing a job, it’s about building a meaningful marketing career, one conversation at a time.
Final thought: Build a brand that feels like you
This isn’t about trying to impress anyone, it’s about being present, staying consistent, and showing up as myself. I’m still figuring things out, but I’ve come a long way. That progress came from listening, learning, and taking small, intentional steps. At the end of the day, the most important thing I’m building is a version of myself I can be proud of.
Written by
Kemili Norman-William