networking101

[networking101]

“Networking with Intention: How a Semester of Stories Reshaped My Career Outlook”

Networking used to feel like something formal — a handshake, a LinkedIn connection, maybe a coffee meeting if you’re lucky. But this semester, through the Marketing Seminar Series at George Brown College, I realized it’s far more meaningful than that. It's about shared stories, valuable follow-ups, and turning small moments into lasting momentum.

This blog post is a reflection of my journey — the speakers who sparked new ideas, the connections I’ve built, and the mindset shift I’ll carry forward.

What I Learned

The Marketing Seminar Series introduced us to some incredible professionals, each with their own journey. But five in particular left a lasting impression on me:

🎤 Andre Smith – Flip & Floss

Andre’s session was the first that really connected with me. He showed how Flip & Floss was more than just a barbershop — it was a brand built on community and culture. As the founder of my own streetwear label, Còbàn, his approach to brand identity really hit home. I learned that branding is about lifestyle, not just logos, and that message has shaped how I’m approaching our next campaign visuals.

Takeaway: Your brand is your story. Make it relatable, not just marketable.

🧠 Stephanie Joseph – Flatts

Stephanie offered a perspective I hadn’t fully appreciated before — the power of internal marketing. As someone involved in my family’s B2B business (Grindtech Engine Parts Pvt. Ltd.), her insight helped me understand how marketing isn’t just external. It’s also about aligning internal teams and culture. That’s something I’ve started applying when communicating with our overseas distributors.

✨ Zyra – Branding & Storytelling Specialist

Zyra’s talk encouraged me to be more emotionally aware in brand storytelling. She spoke about brand feeling — not just function. It influenced how I framed Còbàn’s latest product drops and reminded me that consumers connect with emotion before they convert with money.

💬 Eva – Marketing Strategist

Eva’s message revolved around empathy and relationship building. Her reminder to listen more than you speak really helped shape the way I reach out to professionals on LinkedIn — not just to ask for help, but to ask meaningful questions.

📊 Karan Mehta – Digital Marketing Leader

Karan’s talk was a masterclass in performance marketing. I was especially drawn to how he broke down data into digestible insights. I’ve since applied some of his A/B testing advice to both ad campaigns and email subject lines for Còbàn — small tweaks, big results.

The Most Important Lesson? That networking isn’t a transaction — it’s an opportunity to learn and grow with people who inspire you. That mindset shift changed how I follow up with speakers, comment on posts, and build long-term rapport instead of quick exchanges.

Part 2 – Network & Resources

While the seminar gave us a platform to meet professionals, the real work happened after. That’s when the follow-ups, LinkedIn messages, and real conversations began.

🤝 Who I Networked With

Connected with Andre Smith, Zyra, and Karan Mehta on LinkedIn.

Had a short LinkedIn chat with Stephanie Joseph after the session — she responded with thoughtful advice.

Reconnected with a former George Brown alumnus working in digital media, who offered to introduce me to someone hiring for a summer internship.

📅 Events & Activities I Attended

All five marketing seminar sessions — asked questions at the end to stand out.

Participated in George Brown’s HubSpot Campaign Project, helping automate student engagement emails.

Sat in on a virtual startup marketing panel hosted by a Toronto-based LinkedIn group I joined mid-semester.

🔗 Groups I Joined

Marketing Students of Toronto (LinkedIn) — where I stay updated on events and local job leads.

Toronto Startup Founders Slack — found this through a speaker's referral. Great space for creative collaboration.

🙋‍♂️ Volunteering

While I didn’t volunteer in a traditional sense, I offered to help structure internal messaging for one of our classroom projects. That led to deeper conversations with professors and opened up new connections across departments.

🧰 Job Finding Resources I Explored

LinkedIn Jobs — most helpful due to its filters and alerts.

CareerEdge — discovered a few startup internship listings I wouldn’t have found elsewhere.

HubSpot Academy — completed the Email Marketing Certification, which now helps with both Còbàn and co-op applications.

🔁 Staying in Touch

I use Google Calendar reminders to follow up every 4–6 weeks with key contacts.

I re-share posts or engage with updates from guest speakers to keep the connection active.

When appropriate, I send a message with a helpful resource or just a check-in — no pressure, just presence.

📍Co-op Update

I’m currently finalizing my co-op placement and, yes — networking played a key role. A connection from a seminar introduced me to someone in their company’s marketing department, which gave me a direct insight into the role. That helped me tailor my resume and made my application stand out.

Even if that role doesn’t work out, the process taught me something important: your network will open doors you didn’t even know existed.

🔑 Networking Tips I’d Share

Here are my go-to strategies from this semester:

Personalize your follow-ups – Mention something specific from the event.

Quality > Quantity – It’s better to build 5 meaningful connections than 50 empty ones.

Give first, then ask – Whether it’s sharing a resource or supporting a project.

Be active online – Thoughtful engagement builds visibility.

Stay consistent – A quiet check-in can go a long way.

Final Words

This semester has shown me that networking isn’t just for job hunting — it’s for career building. The speakers we met shared more than advice — they gave us access to their world, and it’s up to us to keep walking through those open doors.

To anyone wondering how to start: attend the talk, ask the question, send the message. That’s how I began. And now, I’m building a network that I know will stay with me well beyond graduation.

#MarketingSeminarSeries#NetworkingTips#MarketingCareers#BrandStorytelling#DigitalMarketing#ContentStrategy#CareerDevelopment#MarketingStudents#LinkedInNetworking#HubSpotCertified

📬 Let’s connect and grow together: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/garv-madan-a7673319a/overlay/about-this-profile/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base%3BkgoZ357KRaeN3%2FhBzNu%2BcA%3D%3D]