Introduction
My name is Tanmay Bakshi. I am currently postgrad Digital and content marketing program student in York University school of continuing studies, Toronto. The day I arrived in Canada, 27th December 2023 full of excitement of my first Canadian winter and scared at the same time with the hope for better education and some amazing experience. The university semester began on 15th January 2024, and past few months has been challenging and adventurous beyond anything I had imagined. When you move to a new country, it can be scary. But I learned how to live alone and look after myself.
When picking my higher education, I wanted to choose a country that had a great education system, a safe environment, and ample opportunities for work and learning. I also hoped to get some work experience so I chose Canada. I had searched a lot of colleges and universities in Toronto because I was interested in Digital marketing. That’s how I came to know about York University School of Continuing Studies in Toronto. I chose Toronto too as it’s a big and interesting city that felt like a home away from home.
Digital and content marketing programs cover a wide range of topics essential for digital marketing
- Planning and Analysis for Content Marketing
- Marketing Fundamentals
- Fundamentals of Digital Marketing
- Marketing for Search Engines and Social Media
- Content Creation
- Business in a Digital Age
- User Engagement and Marketing Automation
- Content Promotion and Amplification
Learning at York University of Continuing Studies
York University's adventure has been amazing. I had an opportunity to work and learn on various projects with wonderful people. Group assignments taught me the value of teamwork and collaboration, providing insights into how to work effectively in a team. The Digital and content marketing program at York University School of Continuing Studies has allowed me not only to learn more about digital marketing but also to improve my foundation in my field. I have also gotten opportunities I didn’t have back home. Allowing me to upskill and find better paths in my career.
Favorite course
My favorite course would be “Marketing for Search Engines and Social Media” This course provided me with the knowledge of how to optimize content for search engines and effectively use social media platforms for marketing your things. The practical assignment and case studies of real-world business made it engaging and interesting. This would help me in my future projects or my job.
Key Experience
One of the most significant experiences was securing the HubSpot X LinkedIn Internship thanks to the guidance of my mentor, Rovena. Initially many advised me to pursue more conventional jobs but I carried on and secured a 2–3-month internship. But it happened and I got an internship of 2-3 months. This opened the way for another internship as a social media intern.
We also had some interesting projects about SEO audits, blog writing, and advertising analysis. But most memorable was creating a chai business. Our team worked actively on it and during the presentation, a team member brought homemade chai for the professor and gave him a real taste of our product. This helped me to learn how to create a buyer persona, conduct a social audit, and create journey mapping and marketing processes.
I have also felt confident in the knowledge and skills that I have acquired. Throughout the journey, the firm support of the professors has been invaluable. They have been always available via email to assist with any doubts about the program, subject, or guidance for professional paths. The accessibility and willingness to help have greatly enhanced my experience.
Skills Acquired
During my time at York University, I developed essential digital marketing skills such as teamwork, content creation, social media analysis, SEO (on-page and off-page), and Social media audit. I also improved my presentation skills, time management, consistency, and blog writing.
I gained proficiency in tools like HubSpot, Facebook, Google Analytics, Lucid, and various SEO audit tools. Utilizing Facebook and LinkedIn ad Libraries helped me enhance advertising strategies in my internship. These experiences are preparing me for future opportunities and challenges.
Challenges and Solutions
The journey was not without challenges. One was dealing with team members who did not contribute as per expected. Drawing from my previous job experience, I learned to handle such situation effectively. Another challenge was managing deadlines for project submission, especially balancing internship and home responsibilities. I overcame this by working a little each day to avoid last-minute stress.
Learning about Toronto: The city’s multicultural environment has exposed me to diverse cultures, cuisines, and traditions. I am enjoying exploring Toronto’s vibrant neighbourhood, attending various cultural events, and exploring dynamic urban lifestyle
Future plan
My future goal is to start my career with an entry-level professional job in social media or digital marketing. Some of my dream companies include Facebook, Google, Buzzfeed, Lego & Disney and I am eager to work towards these goals. I am eager to use the skills that I have picked up and keep climbing the ladder of my career.
Advice for Future Students: To the future students, I offer advice to be passionate about the field and select a university that aligns with your interests and goals. York University School of Continuing Studies was my choice because I believed I would benefit from this program and enjoy it the most as I was interested in the Digital and Content marketing program.
Stay open-minded, connect with professors and fellow students, and make the most of your time. Explore campus, and plan your journey and internships even before reaching Canada. Research the program or course wisely by weighing the pros and cons and also get an idea of what future possibilities or opportunities it would open up when you are done with the course. Professors are always available for guidance, so do not hesitate to reach out when you have any difficulties.
So, moving to study in Canada has been big learning experience and cannot wait to see what future holds for me. My time in York university has been transformative, provided me knowledge, skill, confidence, to pursue a career in digital marketing.
