MY FIRST MARKETING JOB AS A GRADUATE!

Ok so I know that I have committed the the biggest sin in blogging (my last entry was months ago!!!) however in my own defense, the past few months have been busy and productive. I have completed and passed in final assignments, polished off exams, began my first post graduate job and now I am only days away from my graduation ceremony at Algonquin College.

So what's it like being a newbie? WONDERFUL! I am currently employed by a high tech firm specializing in telephony software, software engineering and professional services in Kanata called InGenius. When hired on by this firm their claim was that they were "FUN". At first I chuckled thinking that "Fun and High Tech" never belonged in the same sentence but then I quickly realized that this company really was fun and not your typical stuffy high tech company. Its a place where the CTO shows up to work in a Hawaiian shirt, the CEO organizes Star Trek company movie nights, and the software engineers and account executives not only get along but actually enjoy each others company! Right away, I knew I would fit in...these people do not operate with an in-the-box mentality.

My official role at InGenius is Marketing and Support. I have only been there for a month and a half however I have learned a lot about product development, branding, event organization, product testing, and project management. As a new graduate I am gaining a vast amount of knowledge in a large number of marketing areas. My first passion is Marketing Communications and Advertising (particularly on the agency side), but working at InGenius has really developed my understanding and appreciation for marketing from the client's perspective. InGenius is really helping me develop my marketing skills while providing me with a wealth of knowledge in various business areas.

My advice to any new graduate would be to find a job that will help you develop your skills as a marketer and as a future business professional. You may not be able to work in the exact industry or in the exact job you want right away, but gaining more business and marketing knowledge will only help support your progress to where you eventually want to be. I think it is also important to remember that as a new graduate we have a very narrow view of what career possibilities are available. Entering into a job that will support your learning and progress is the best step to realizing your own potential and opportunities as a marketer.

Finally, Congratulations to all the Algonquin College graduates!

NETWORKING; ART OR SCIENCE?

www.freshmeet2009.com

During the past few months I have been involved in organizing and planning a networking event titled FRESH MEET, Young Talent You Can Sink Your Teeth Into! and I have gained a tremendous amount of insight into event planning, group dynamics and leadership. As the event draws nearer I am starting to get excited about the networking portion of the event. I am very excited to meet industry professionals that can provide some insight into career opportunities, describe what marketing is like within their business sector, and also give some advice on entrepreneurship.

I am starting to build my own little business network and I am finding out that it is a lot easier than I thought it would be. The biggest challenge is actually having the courage to follow-up and ask for help. What I am quickly discovering however is that many people want to help and are actually enthusiastic about providing you with more information or referring you to someone else who can give you more information. By hearing about a person's experiences and obtaining advice from industry professionals we, as students, can gain a tremendous amount of knowledge that can not be gained in any classroom. On April 2, 2009 I am ready to learn more and meet new people.

STANDING OUT FROM THE CLUTTER

CREATIVE SOLUTIONS

It is hard to believe that I will be done college in just over a month! My mind aches with the amount of work that needs to be done before then. Lately I have been writing a number of e-newsletters for the School of Business that have had the focus on differentiating your self. Of course there are some conservative ways (such as the ones mentioned in my last blog) but there are also some really creative ways too. I was forwarded this blog posting on 51 Creative Business Cards That Will Make You Look Twice, and really started thinking about the creative ways that my resume and business cards could appeal to potential employers. I think the most important thing to remember is that the creative solution for the resume or business card has to align with ones brand or company. It is also very important to consider the position and company to which you are applying, you really don't want to be cheesey! Over the next few weeks I am going to work on developing a creative business card and resume....I will keep you all posted.

Endless Possibilities

As student about to graduate, I am constantly thinking about "WHAT'S NEXT". In one of my classes entitled "Transition to the Marketing Professional" we learn how to differentiate ourselves from other students and employees by creating our own personal brand. An article by Tom Peters, "A Brand Called You", was extremely helpful in conceptualizing the idea while a new software, whyhire.me, is in the process of making the brand more tangible. On April 2, 2009 our class is hosting a networking event, FRESH MEET: Young talent you can sink your teeth into, where we have the opportunity to network and learn from business executives across various industries while also showcasing our brands and what we have to offer employers.

I have been in a few interviews over the past month and the preparation I have received from Algonquin College has helped me set myself apart while also instilling in me a confidence about my diverse set of skills and abilities. What I am beginning to realize is that I am a unique brand and "WHAT'S NEXT" is really up to me.

With the economy in a downturn and marketing budgets getting slashed, hacked or cut all together you think I would be worried about the next few months following graduation. The reality however, is that this is the time when companies must grasp at the opportunities and take hold of the volatile market to capture more market share. It is as if the economy has put businesses back to basics where the focus is on ROI! The market is now more competitive and dynamic and employers must take a strategic approach to recruiting and selecting employees that have a unique brand of offerings. Like the old Chinese saying "May you live in interesting times", I believe as a fresh graduate seeking employment these times are indeed interesting but also the driver for change. What we new grads offer is a unique set to technological skills, but also a new perspective on business and business opportunities. I am not worried about the next few years of economic turmoil, I embrace them knowing that I have a brand that thrives on competition and change but most importantly will deliver a solid ROI.

PHOTOGRAPHY

MEET GOSFORD!

For the past few years I have been taking pictures of pets, friends, and events and have fallen in love with it. I am interested in perhaps taking a photography course to truly develop my skills, but I am really liking the self-taught approach. Finding ways to get the shot by trail and error has been really satisfying and challenging. Each photograph is like a tiny experiment...the best part though is having small mementos of an event or moment. I would recommend trial and error photography to anyone. Sometimes the photos you don't think will turn out end up being the best ones!

Well write this in the baby book....FIRST BLOG, MARCH 5, 2009.

Over the past few weeks I have been discussing with friends and classmates the who, what, when, where, and why of blogging. After much deliberation I have come to the conclusion that I need to experience blogging and what it may or may not have to offer. I am like any small town Nova Scotian with a naturally flowing gift to gab and a passion for being social. How hard will it really be to translate my crazy ideas, verbal rants and classic stories to a blog post? As the weeks and months unfold I guess we shall see. To all those other "first timers" out there..."Come on everybody's doing it!" Secome to the peer pressure and join in on the experience.