Hey, I’m Maithile Arora, and I’ve been living in Canada for about a year and six months. My
academic journey started off in Humber College where I spent one whole year studying with an
internship being part of it. Currently, am pursuing Digital and Content Marketing at York
University School of Continuing Studies. Continuous thirst for social media and marketing is
what has made me always want to get more knowledge and skills. This blog post therefore
reflects on this trip by describing its difficulties as well as rewards.
Initially, when I joined the York University School of Continuing Studies, I didn’t realize that it
was different from York itself. This mixed-up position caused a lot of confusion and frustrations
which was not good at all. This involved spending hours looking through the internet just to find
most resources grouping them together. However, it wasn’t until I got into classes that I started
understanding how they were not the same thing. In fact, this is a very crucial difference which
should have been spelled out earlier on in my experience there.
Moreover, the classroom environment was something else to get used to. While York University
School of Continuing Studies is known for its diversity in studentships, many of my classmates
seemed more concerned with part-time jobs rather than immersing themselves fully in their
course work. For this reason, there was often a gap between short-term earnings and long-run job
aspirations.
I recall one class vividly when we were supposed to discuss emerging trends in digital
marketing, but it turned into a talk about the best local part-time jobs. It felt so disappointing
seeing that many people did not have as much interest on the subject as I had. In my case, this
was disheartening because I am coming from an intense academic background and practical
experiences.
Earlier I had worked part time and completed an internship so I thought finding a job again even
if it was part time would be easy. However, after completing my internship I went four months
without being employed. This phase was very hard for me to deal with. The competitive job
market meant that despite my experience, I kept getting rejections upon rejections. During the
period of unemployment, my mental health suffered considerably as I grappled with feelings of
shame and anger that I could not even find a part time job made me feel like a failure, and due to
that I skipped a lot of lectures because I was too sad to get out of bed. My marks began to go
down, and it felt like I was on a downward spiral. It was a very dark time, but it also taught me
about the significance of mental health and knowing when to ask for help.
Although, York University School of Continuing Studies professors were unwavering through
these difficulties. They helped me survive by teaching with commitment and providing
additional assistance whenever I needed it. One professor did more than others did. She got in
touch with me when she noted that I had not been seen around for some time. Her concern for
my welfare was genuine, and she offered her assistance in helping me bridge the gap.
The tutors’ real-life know-how involving digital marketing and content development has proved
quite priceless. Rather than sticking only to textbooks they shared insights that went beyond its
pages, imparting practical knowledge as well as industry trend which prepared me for reality in
the job market ahead. With their support, I recovered from those setbacks and found motivation
to keep fighting on.
Despite many ups and downs, my experience at York University School of Continuing Studies
has brought immense personal growth both personally and professionally. The challenging
courses made me improve my critical thinking skills as well as how to solve problems critically
well.
There is one project that particularly stands out. We had been assigned the task of developing an
all-inclusive digital marketing plan for a real company. Although it was intense, the experience
proved highly enjoyable. This is where I put into practice everything, I had studied in a
classroom set up. Apart from self-assurance, the project also enhanced my CV and made me
more competitive in getting jobs.
Moreover, during my studies, I learnt how important networking was. Through connecting with
classmates, instructors and industry experts, doors were opened towards mentoring as well as
career counseling relationships being formed. The participation in industry events and online
forums has enabled me to connect with people who may offer job opportunities or contribute to
collaborations in future.
I remember attending a conference on digital marketing where I met several professionals who
freely gave their time and advice to us newbies. Among them a senior marketing manager at a
top firm became my mentor. My career path would not be what it is today without his guidance
when it comes to understanding intricacies of the industry.
To begin with, coping with lack of diversity plus isolation was one major problem for me. It can
be overwhelming fitting into a different country’s educational system after coming from another
country then coping up with employment market pressures. Nonetheless, finding a community of
like-minded people made all the difference to us. Sharing experiences, challenges and successes
with others who are on a similar journey provided that much-needed support and encouragement.
When I look back at my time at York University School of Continuing Studies, both the
challenges and rewards are clear. The path was not smooth; it was marked by periods of
annoyance and doubt. But nevertheless, the support from professors, personal growth and
professional skills have been worth it.
For anyone considering further education especially in fields as dynamic as digital and content
marketing, I highly recommend York University School of Continuing Studies. It is a solid
platform for achieving academic and professional goals despite any difficulties you may face
along the way. Therefore, accept this journey, keep your eyes fixed on your desired results and
remember that every challenge is an opportunity for growth
