Introduction
With a gazillion options available, choosing the right program or school as you desire can be a little scary, especially as an international student. Well guess what? As a recent graduate of York University's School of Continuing Studies (SCS) Digital & Content Marketing program, I'm here to share my explicit experience and some valuable insights to help you make that decision. By the end of this blog, you will have a crisp understanding if this program and York University actually aligns with your goals or not.
As a person who is not from Digital Marketing background, it was utterly important for me to choose the right school and course which could help me get a head start in the industry. Like many others, I too aspire to pave my way into this ever-evolving industry. But has the search been a nightmare for me? Considering this was my second course and I had to be very picky about it, I still remember the days when I was sitting in my home, aimlessly scrolling through the laptop trying to narrow down my search of picking the program best suiting my requirement. Gladly, my agent came to my rescue when he presented me few courses and community colleges here in Toronto, but what caught my attention was York University. The fact that it was a university and was offering a course whose tuition fee was less than most of the colleges in Toronto was very enticing to me. I mean who doesn’t want to go to a university at the price of a college. Sounds exciting, right? Wrong!! There is more to what meets the eye. I signed up myself to the program with same prima facie. But now after finishing this course I can safely say there have been quite a few pros and cons which you will only know once you get in the system.
First Impressions: A Modern Learning Hub for making Connections
The SCS York University building is a masterpiece of modern design. It's like a work of art.
When you arrive at York campus, you'll instantly feel more confident. The campus's modern architecture is truly captivating, creating an environment that feels almost otherworldly. Imagine a university campus with its own mall—York University offers just that with ‘York Lanes,’ where you can shop for essentials, grab your favorite coffee, and more. There are also spots on campus to relax with a drink after a hectic day. Additionally, the breakroom, often bustling with students enjoying board games or billiards, is a popular hangout.
There is a fabulous spot called commons, which is situated right outside York University Subway, where you can sit on tables to catch up with your friends or finish your school work or just sit there relax and watch beautiful sunsets or people walking by.
However, let me clarify, York University and School of Continuing Studies are two distinct entities. This became evident on my first day when I explored the entire campus before my class started. I had high expectations of connecting with people from diverse backgrounds, something I observed across the campus, but unfortunately not within my own building. As the days passed, I realized that all diploma programs, including the York SCS Digital & Content Marketing Program, are housed in the SCS building, which is predominantly attended by international students, which you and me both know, majority are from India.
Given that I enrolled in the York SCS Digital & Content Marketing Program which screams high intensity exposure, this was somewhat disappointing. Although, I had 4-5 students from different cultures in my class, it wasn't quite what I had anticipated.
On the other hand, the contemporary architecture of the SCS building does give off the vibe of a marketing agency environment. The sleek classrooms are designed to energize and empower you, and the program also provided great opportunities to connect with classmates outside of lectures, which was a highlight.
Trading homes for heart: The people who became chosen family at York University!!
Diving Deep: A Curriculum Rooted in Industry Expertise
The York SCS Digital & Content Marketing program's curriculum did not disappoint me. It provided a comprehensive foundation in all things digital and content marketing. From core marketing fundamentals to essential digital tools, every topic felt relevant and well-structured. The instructors were the real stars of the show. Knowledgeable, engaging, and always willing to answer questions. For someone who is a slow learner like me, they made complex concepts easy to understand. We also had some guest speakers from the industry from time to time who added another layer of value, sharing real-world insights and case studies that brought the curriculum to life for me. We also got some networking opportunities here and there, that further amplified by workshops and events, allowing me to connect with established marketing professionals and gain valuable career advice.
Having in-class engagement activities has been the most liberating experiences for me in my journey at York University. Trust me, this will help you once you start climbing the corporate ladder.
The part I truly loved about the course was the in-class engagement activities, for every course in every term we had innumerable opportunities to give individual and group presentations, this not only provided an incredible opportunity to showcase individual talents but also provided a platform to many who have stage fear and prepped them for corporate exposure. I remember, in 2 subjects we had to do a full-blown pitch presentation where we were divided in groups and were asked to pick industry of our choice and present them with a client pitch as digital marketers to boost the company’s social media presence by suggesting them CRM & devising exclusive content calendar to their respective needs and prepping a mock budget for them. Hypothetical but very cool!!
Bridging the Gap: Enhancing the Program with Practical Experience
While the program provided a strong theoretical foundation, I craved more hands-on experience. Putting the learned marketing strategies and content creation techniques into practice would have been incredibly valuable. Imagine collaborating with classmates on mock client projects, developing digital marketing campaigns, or creating engaging content for a specific audience. These practical exercises were what I was looking for as a fresher in the industry that would’ve solidified my theoretical knowledge and prepared me for the demands of the real world. Nonetheless, it did give me an overview of the fundamentals of digital marketing.
Embracing Diversity: A Global Perspective in a Multicultural World
The program's diverse student body presented a fantastic opportunity that could be further capitalized on. Incorporating more cross-cultural activities would be an enriching addition. Imagine learning about social media marketing strategies from a global perspective, exploring content creation that resonates with diverse audiences, or even running case studies that analyze marketing campaigns across different cultures. This not only fosters a more inclusive learning environment but also equips graduates with the skills to excel in today's interconnected global marketplace.
The Final Verdict: A Stepping Stone to Your Digital Marketing Journey
The York SCS Digital & Content Marketing program certainly provided me with the essential knowledge and skills to successfully navigate the digital marketing landscape. The moderate class size allowed for personalized attention and created a collaborative learning environment, particularly with the professors. However, the program could have been further enhanced by including more practical experience and by embracing marketing strategies for diverse audiences, which would have enriched the cultural diversity and overall development of the students.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring Students
Watching the winter sun paint the sky in hues of orange and pink from my SCS, York University
While the campus environment is state-of-the-art and inspiring, this program’s focus on international students creates a somewhat homogenous classroom atmosphere. So don’t expect any surprises there, nothing you have not experienced if you are an aspiring student from India. However, the entire curriculum covers essential digital marketing topics which will give you a fairly decent idea of the basic requirement of the industry.
So, is this program for you?
Absolutely! If you're seeking a well-grounded foundation in digital and content marketing, along with the chance to connect with industry professionals, this program is a strong option. Keep in mind, though, while the theoretical base is excellent, if you're someone like me who seeks practical application and is particularly interested in marketing strategies for diverse audiences, you might want to consider other options that focus more on hands-on experience. Exploring programs that emphasize marketing strategies for diverse audiences could be more aligned with your goals.
Conclusion
The York SCS Digital & Content Marketing program provides a solid starting point for those new to the digital marketing world. The program's strengths lie in its comprehensive curriculum and access to industry experts. However, to truly maximize its potential, incorporating more hands-on projects and leveraging the program's diverse student body would be beneficial.
Ultimately, the decision to pursue this program depends on your individual learning style and career goals. If theoretical knowledge and networking opportunities are your priorities, this program may be a suitable choice.
Good Luck!