Reflecting my journey as a York university student

Orville Patrick Butelho

YORK ID: -220920658

Digital and Content Marketing

Reflecting on my journey as a York University student

“Do something now; your future self will thank you later”

January 11, 2024

When I started my academic journey at York University School of Continuing Studies, my real goal was to gain a deeper understanding of digital marketing. The initial motivation came from my desire to understand the power of digital marketing, a field that has revolutionized how businesses operate in today's digital age. York University provided the perfect opportunity through its comprehensive and affordable Digital and Content Marketing program, offered by a reputed institution. The building is so beautiful with all the facilities such as the student center to guide the students and Rc coffee robot cafe machine. So, at first, when I entered the class Professor Leigh welcomed us with a great welcome speech which was very inspiring. In her speech, she mentioned that the place you're now will challenge you and push you out of your comfort zone. But remember, Growth doesn't happen in the easy moment. You are not a student you are the future innovator and leader.  That kind of energy boosted us to start our new beginning. One of the significant advantages of studying at York University was the opportunity to network and build professional relationships. The connections I made with professors, guest speakers, and fellow students have been invaluable. These relationships have opened doors to new opportunities and provided a robust support network for my career in digital marketing.

The program at York University is designed to cover the vast landscape of digital marketing. I got to learn the subject such as: -

• Business in a Digital Age: Understanding how digital transformation affects businesses and how to leverage digital tools for business success.
• Fundamentals of Digital Marketing: An introduction to the core concepts of digital marketing, including SEO, SEM, social media marketing, and email marketing.
• Planning and Analysis for Content Marketing: Learning to create and implement effective content marketing strategies.
• Content Creation: Developing skills to create engaging and impactful content across various digital platforms.
• Marketing for Search Engines and social media: Exploring techniques to optimize marketing efforts on search engines and social media platforms.
• User Engagement and Marketing Automation: Techniques for engaging users and automating marketing processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Content Promotion and Amplification: Strategies to promote and amplify content to reach a broader audience.

This helped me sharpen my marketing skills and gave me a pathway that guided me to success in every walk of life.

The learning environment at York University was exceptionally conducive to my educational journey. Compared to other institutions, York was the most supportive institution in my entire field of education. The professors employed a teaching style that made the most difficult concepts more understandable and relatable. We also had the privilege of getting guest speakers from renowned marketing agencies that added immense value to the learning experience. Hearing firsthand from industry leaders, like the Head of Spotify Canada, provided us with invaluable insights and practical knowledge.

A Memorable Project: The Electric Bike Business Plan One of the standout projects during my time at York was the thought of a business plan for an electric bike company. This project was a comprehensive exercise that required us to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. The project was a success, earning us full marks and showcasing the practical application of our learning. This experience was instrumental in building confidence and showcasing our capabilities in a real-world scenario.

Our professor also introduced us to some certification courses one of which was HubSpot which was beneficial for us as it had deep content related to marketing. Learning through HubSpot certifications wasn't just textbook stuff it was like having a marketing mentor by my side. They threw in inspiring videos and exercises that made me feel like I was diving into the real world of marketing like:-

Marketing Software

Understanding workflows in HubSpot

Getting started with email marketing in HubSpot

Exploring the contact database

Creating marketing campaigns

These exercises provided hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, enhancing my understanding and proficiency in digital marketing.

The skills, knowledge, and experience I gained from the university and Professors are mesmerizing. The program significantly enhanced my knowledge in several areas. I developed strong presentation skills, deepened my understanding of digital marketing, and honed my overall marketing skills. These skills are more valuable in the professional and crucial for personal growth and development.

Balancing studies with other commitments posed challenges. One of the difficulties I faced was related to group assignments. Initially, communicating and coordinating with pre-assigned group members was challenging, especially when differences of opinion arose. However, we managed to resolve these issues through proper discussion and teamwork, which taught me valuable lessons in collaboration and conflict resolution

Reflecting on my time at the York University School of Continuing Studies, I can confidently say it is a transformative experience. The program equipped me with the knowledge and skills required to excel in digital marketing but also provided a supportive and engaging environment that fostered personal and professional growth. The comprehensive curriculum, combined with the expertise of the faculty and guest speakers, made for an enriching learning experience that I will cherish for years to come.

In conclusion, my journey at York University has been a pivotal chapter in my educational and professional life. The Digital and Content Marketing program has prepared me to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape and has positioned me for success in my career. For future students, my advice is to make use of every opportunity to learn and network. The university provides you with practical knowledge about the course that you can immediately apply in your career, so make sure you participate in all the events. Time management is important, especially if you're balancing studies with work or other commitments, so plan properly and stay organized.