Studying at York School of Continuing Studies has been a huge journey that helped me grow personally and professionally. Being a postgraduate student in the Digital and Content Marketing certificate program, I have fought many battles and celebrated several successes that shaped my understanding of this industry and future career goals. In this blog post, I want to share some of those experiences and advice with all future students who may think about treading on similar paths.
Why I Chose York University School of Continuing Studies
It's for this different interest and career pursuit that I chose the Digital and Content Marketing Program at York SCS. Its practical approach and detailed curriculum promise to give me the exact skill set for success in different career paths. After doing a lot of research and discussing this with friends who graduated from York, I was reasonably certain that the school would provide the quality education I desired.
Challenges and Overcoming Barriers
The York SCS curriculum is well thought out and detailed; many digital marketing parts are smartly covered. I, however, found some of the courses particularly challenging since this was a new field for me, and the language barrier made things even more challenging.
These were some of the difficulties that made it hard for me to overcome, but because of the advice and encouragement from classmates, I worked hard to overcome these shortcomings. Later on, my hard work paid off, and I gained comfort and confidence.
Engaging and Knowledgeable Instructors
Most of the instructors were knowledgeable and engaging. Their teaching methods worked at times but not some other times. Moreover, some courses seemed to be irrelevant to ideal career path management, which sometimes dropped my motivation. However, I understood the part about learning broadly in the industry and made the most of the learning opportunities.
Opportunities and Areas for Improvement
While York SCS offered a lot concerning resources and support services, I felt that some changes could be brought about. I had wished for more opportunities for real-world job experience and placements. The general accessibility to provisioning of resources was available, but with me being a full-time student and having a full-time job simultaneously, things were pretty tight as to making use of those resources.
Building a Strong Community
The classroom environment at York School of Continuing Studies (SCS) is that of a modern setting. It is very well equipped, and added to this, it ensures a positive learning experience. Interactions with the instructors were normally smooth, though sometimes I strongly felt the need for more: deep engagement on some topics. Group activities and projects built up my English and boosted my confidence. These interactions helped me build a very strong community of peers and friends.
Enhancing Skills Beyond the Classroom
Getting involved in extracurricular activities was not difficult, and these were modes of involvement that helped me so much. Group activities improve language skills and boost one's confidence level. This setup in class promoted professional communication and group work—a great high point during my experience.
Personal and Professional Growth
My experience at York SCS has been of great value in developing myself as a person and professionally. It improved my communication skills and gave me insight into various problem-solving techniques. Presentations and group projects were challenging in the early stages but later aided in building confidence and skills while presenting my ideas. This experience has been one of the major factors influencing my career goals, where I have a background in design, brand identity, and music that I can effectively apply in offering professional services to my clients and also my personal music career as an artist.
Administrative and Logistical Issues
One area of improvement would be the class scheduling flexibility. If this can be more flexible, then completing all classes can also be easier, and the student can enlarge the network of meeting with other classmates from different sections.
To make the student experience even better, I suggest increasing opportunities for networking and real-world exposure. In a country like Canada, networking is crucial, and creating more platforms for students to connect with industry professionals and alumni could significantly benefit their future careers. Additionally, more hands-on projects involving real brands and businesses would provide practical experience and better prepare students for the workforce. More opportunities for students to expand their future community with fellow students and instructors as coaches would be very beneficial.
Advice for Future Students
Based on my experience, here are some tips that I would like to share with those of you considering studying at York SCS:
Do Your Research: How well does it align with your profession and individual interest? Seek advice from the alumni and current students to have a realistic idea of what to expect.
Engage with Peers and Instructors: Building a strong network within your program can provide valuable support and open up future opportunities.
Use Resources: Use the resources available within your school and its support services. These resources can greatly enhance your educational experience.
Stay Organized: Studying, working, and keeping a life can be overwhelming. Indeed, plan out a schedule that shall keep you organized in keeping up with your time.
Embrace Challenges: Challenging courses and assignments are growth opportunities. You need to ask for help when required, and always keep on improving.
Conclusion
My time at the York School of Continuing Studies has been one characterized by challenges and achievements, the contribution of which, in either case, towards building me into a better professional and person has been immeasurable. I hope that sharing experiences and lessons learned from this journey provides some realism to the expectations future students should have from their own time at York SCS, motivates them, and indeed gives them what it takes to put forth the best effort they can. With the right mindset and approach, your experience could be just that rewarding and transformative.
