Networking, Confidence, and the Path to Marketing Success

    A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity of listening to a group of successful alumni from the

Strategic Relationship Marketing program at George Brown. Claudia Guillem, a Marketing

Manager at The Roundtable, Kate Loskutova, who works with Lexus National Marketing at

Toyota, and Arsheen Chopra, Ad Operations Specialist at Cluep. Each of them shared their

valuable experiences of transitioning from academia to the workforce. These impressive women

have all made strides in their respective careers, and it was inspiring to hear their insights on

breaking into the industry.

    One key takeaway I had from the conversation was how important the hands-on experience in

this program has been in shaping their careers. The co-op placements and practice interviews

were two things that were highlighted as crucial for easing the transition from education to

employment. It was reassuring to hear that the practical knowledge gained during this program

prepared them to take on real-world challenges confidently.

Something that stood out to me, was the comparison that Kate Loskutova made about the

difference in interview styles between Russia and Canada. Although, I am not a new to Canada,

it was interesting to hear a comparison like this from my culture to Canadian culture. It was eye-

opening to hear these cultural comparisons. Kate brought up that brief small talk before the

interviewer’s questions and the prevalence of behavioral questions are a distinct feature in

Canadian interviews that she had never experienced before. She advised that this is where the

interviewer gets to know how you are as a worker and that it is incredibly important to learn how

to adapt to these as it builds rapport.

    Another valuable piece of advice came from Claudia Guillem, who spoke about the importance

of confidence during the interview process. She shared how she “faked it till she made it,”

reminding us that confidence, even when it feels unearned can be a powerful tool in overcoming

self-doubt and navigating the interview process. This made me reflect on the fact that it’s not

always about having every answer, but also showing up with the right attitude and determination

to learn and grow in a professional setting.

    One of the biggest pieces of advice these women kept coming back to during our conversation

was the importance of networking. They all emphasised how crucial it is to not only collect

contacts but to build genuine, lasting relationships with industry professionals. While I

personally find networking a bit daunting, they allowed me to realize how it is an essential part

of career growth. They spoke about their own networking strategies, like attending industry

events and leveraging Linkedin. Arsheen Chopra remarked she landed one of her roles through

the relationships she built on Linked in.

    Reflecting on my own plans for networking, I realize how important it is to step out of my

comfort zone. I also see the value in following up and maintaining regular communication with

people I meet along the way, whether it’s a simple message on Linkedin or a meeting over

coffee.

    Listening to these successful women gave me a new perspective on my current career journey. It

reassured me that the struggles and uncertainties I face are not unique, and with the right

mindset, success is achievable.