Time to give back to the forum - Ask

[draxz1289]

Hello,

This forum has been such a tremendous help for everything since I joined and I would like to give back.


Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer....


My background is on the left, but also I came here as an international student studied, worked and then applied for PR.

And I finished International Business from Centennial College and Strategic Relationship Marketing from George Brown - Toronto

 

[ujbaby]

Hello,

This forum has been such a tremendous help for everything since I joined and I would like to give back.


Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer....


My background is on the left, but also I came here as an international student studied, worked and then applied for PR.

And I finished International Business from Centennial College and Strategic Relationship Marketing from George Brown - Toronto

nice to see u again dear, hope ur enjoying ur new found life, stay intouch.. we are still waiting for our turn lol.. Thanks for keepin in touch

 

[draxz1289]

nice to see u again dear, hope ur enjoying ur new found life, stay intouch.. we are still waiting for our turn lol.. Thanks for keepin in touch

Hey Uj, yes finally back on the forum

hope you get yours soon, stay positive

 

[BharatJain]

Hi draxz,

I am also going for the Strategic Relationship Marketing Course in January 2015. Can you tell me something more about the course since you have first hand experience? Job opportunities after the course (I have 3 years work ex in an MNC that is present in Toronto). Also, can you tell me about the cultural diversity in your class? I would like to know the nationalities of the students in your batch at GBC.

Thanks,
Bharat

 

[draxz1289]

Hi draxz,

I am also going for the Strategic Relationship Marketing Course in January 2015. Can you tell me something more about the course since you have first hand experience? Job opportunities after the course (I have 3 years work ex in an MNC that is present in Toronto). Also, can you tell me about the cultural diversity in your class? I would like to know the nationalities of the students in your batch at GBC.

Thanks,
Bharat

Hey Bharat,

The course it self can be a bit repetitive if you had already studies any marketing course ( I had done International Business from Centennial College with Marketing)

But thats only one component of it; I loved the other aspect of the course: The professors were industry professionals and it definitely showed. The course work wasnt that hard nor light with quite a number of major projects and presentations.

Crowd: I have to say the most I loved was the crowd, since this program is thought at the King campus right in downtown the whole atmosphere is different. My group was a complete mix, Indians, Russian, Brazilian and a whole lot more with a right ratio between us. Most were international students with two Canadians.

I cannot stress the importance of the internship in the program. I found an internship at a big advertising agency and later got hired full time. I suggest you take full advantage of the tool (PlacePro) which will be provided to apply for internship and start applying early and apply on your own as well.

In terms of job prospects, like I said internships are the key to gain experience but from my job hunting I found most marketing/advertising companies hire graduates from our program. The program is very diverse because we could go it pure marketing, database marketing, strategic marketing, social media (its a component of the course).

Let me know if that helps

 

[BharatJain]

Hey Bharat,

The course it self can be a bit repetitive if you had already studies any marketing course ( I had done International Business from Centennial College with Marketing)

But thats only one component of it; I loved the other aspect of the course: The professors were industry professionals and it definitely showed. The course work wasnt that hard nor light with quite a number of major projects and presentations.

Crowd: I have to say the most I loved was the crowd, since this program is thought at the King campus right in downtown the whole atmosphere is different. My group was a complete mix, Indians, Russian, Brazilian and a whole lot more with a right ratio between us. Most were international students with two Canadians.

I cannot stress the importance of the internship in the program. I found an internship at a big advertising agency and later got hired full time. I suggest you take full advantage of the tool (PlacePro) which will be provided to apply for internship and start applying early and apply on your own as well.

In terms of job prospects, like I said internships are the key to gain experience but from my job hunting I found most marketing/advertising companies hire graduates from our program. The program is very diverse because we could go it pure marketing, database marketing, strategic marketing, social media (its a component of the course).

Let me know if that helps

Hi again!

Thanks for the super reply. Your reply has really made me happy and confident at the same time Just wanted to ask you a few more things, since I intend to work in Toronto itself after my course, are there good chances that I will be hired by a company based in Toronto?

What are the watch outs for this program? Do you recommend anything in particular? Maybe something I should make sure that I do or not do.

Also, when do I have to apply for the work permit for my co op? Do I have to do this after I land in Canada or do I have to do it now?

Lastly, do you recommend doing another course after this since I will then be eligible for a 3 year PGWP?

Do let me know your thoughts!

Thanks again,
Bharat

 

[draxz1289]

Hi again!

Thanks for the super reply. Your reply has really made me happy and confident at the same time Just wanted to ask you a few more things, since I intend to work in Toronto itself after my course, are there good chances that I will be hired by a company based in Toronto?

What are the watch outs for this program? Do you recommend anything in particular? Maybe something I should make sure that I do or not do.

Also, when do I have to apply for the work permit for my co op? Do I have to do this after I land in Canada or do I have to do it now?

Lastly, do you recommend doing another course after this since I will then be eligible for a 3 year PGWP?

Do let me know your thoughts!

Thanks again,
Bharat

Hey,

I am confused are you already in Canada or coming to Canada. I presumed you were here since you said you work here for 3 years

 

[BharatJain]

Hey,

I am confused are you already in Canada or coming to Canada. I presumed you were here since you said you work here for 3 years

Hey sorry for the confusion,

I meant to say that I have 3 years of work experience in a MNC that is ALSO present in Toronto. I have gained this work experience in Mumbai, India.

 

[draxz1289]

Hi again!

Thanks for the super reply. Your reply has really made me happy and confident at the same time Just wanted to ask you a few more things, since I intend to work in Toronto itself after my course, are there good chances that I will be hired by a company based in Toronto?

What are the watch outs for this program? Do you recommend anything in particular? Maybe something I should make sure that I do or not do.

Also, when do I have to apply for the work permit for my co op? Do I have to do this after I land in Canada or do I have to do it now?

Lastly, do you recommend doing another course after this since I will then be eligible for a 3 year PGWP?

Do let me know your thoughts!

Thanks again,
Bharat

My strong suggestion is to find a good internship, paid or unpaid and as long as its a good company and you are gaining valuable experience and skills you wont have trouble find a good position.
There are chances of you being hired by a company in Toronto though its not guaranteed but its a higher change since Toronto is like NY - I see Toronto as the business capital of Canada.

Some thing also I really recommend during the course is to NETWORK NETWORK. There are many industrial events (free and unpaid) in the industry you choose. This will help you get an internship and a possible position after. Also something which I HIGHLY recommend is to go for informative meeting through contacts you find on LinkedIn ( the course had a component of building a good LinkedIn profile)

I have used informative meetings during my job hunt and found them very valuable. I was able to meet the president of a big marketing agency over coffee ( I met over 10 people for a cost of a coffee)

I was surprised how people want to help and network.

The off-campus work permit can only be applied after you land in Canada and the international office can help you (its a very simple online application)

As you know you get only one year work permit for a one year course. I have had friends doing another course (Small business management - 8 month course I think and getting a three year permit and others going to find work and getting the company to apply for LMO and sponsor them)

 

[draxz1289]

Generally experience outside of Canada is not very transferable unless its very specialized like a doctor etc - My opinion.

I tell you this. Any Canadian experience gained during school is good experience - Even flipping burgers
its all how you position it.

I used to work in a retail store when I applied for my PR. I have gone for internship interviews where they were very interested in the skills I gained in retail ( I am talking about a big design studio)

 

[BharatJain]

Generally experience outside of Canada is not very transferable unless its very specialized like a doctor etc - My opinion.

I tell you this. Any Canadian experience gained during school is good experience - Even flipping burgers
its all how you position it.

I used to work in a retail store when I applied for my PR. I have gone for internship interviews where they were very interested in the skills I gained in retail ( I am talking about a big design studio)

Thanks again for your valuable inputs! Since, students can now work off campus from day 1, I think I will start working part time (20 hours a week) from January itself. Maybe this Part time work experience along with my Internship helps me later to find a good job after my course is finished.

Also, I will follow your advice and try to network as much as possible

Thanks again!
Bharat

 

[draxz1289]

It could make it easier if you can contact the company here and get an informative meeting with someone there. I can send you the template I used.

 

[draxz1289]

any time you can contact me directly and I can help out when you are here

 

[dastanmo]

Hey draxz1289,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such informative posts.

Do you think you would be able to send me the template that you used to request informative meetings? I have always thought of requesting informative meetings but never really got over the fear of being turned down...

Thanks a lot!

 

[draxz1289]

Hey draxz1289,

Thank you so much for taking the time to write such informative posts.

Do you think you would be able to send me the template that you used to request informative meetings? I have always thought of requesting informative meetings but never really got over the fear of being turned down...

Thanks a lot!

Hey dastanmo,

I am glad I can help and you find the post useful.

Here it is:

Since LinkedIn limits on the initial message to a certain number of words. Use it carefully.
This is the initial connection request.

Ms. XXX or Mr.XXX,
My name is XXX, a recent graduate of the Strategic Relationship Marketing program from George Brown College. I am looking to gain insight and career guidance in my passion, Account Management (any thing else you want or the industry like advertising etc) and would appreciate an opportunity to connect with you.
Thank you,
XXX

After they connect you will send this

Dear Mr.XXX or Mr.XXX,
Thank you for connecting with me on LinkedIn. As a recent graduate of the Strategic Relationship Marketing program from George Brown College, I am hoping that you might be willing to meet with me over coffee or lunch for 20-30 mins for information, suggestions and contacts that could be helpful as I consider career options and opportunities in account services and the advertising industry.
Please be assured that I’m contacting you for information, not a job. I’m also happy to help you in any way that I can.
I understand your time is valuable, I am available whenever and wherever that’s is convenient for you. I would understand If you’re not free, I am also willing to reach out to anybody you think could help me further my career.
Thanks so much. I look forward to connecting with you.
Regards,
Name
Your number

Let me know if this helps