Meet the Employers: Networking Night Part 1

In my previous life as an undergraduate student, networking nights also existed. Advertised in a similar way by professors and career guidance counselors as in my current life as a post-graduate student, the event is often boasted as something that could make or break me. Something that could potentially jump start my career and the next part of my life. Having only lived once, I was immature, gullible and hopeful. A terrible mixture that undoubtedly took a toll on my nervous system and ultimately lead to performance anxiety and unnecessary amounts of perspiration - every time.

In my previous life I never experienced the things people described networking nights to be: I never made any connections beyond shallow social media adds, I never formed bonds that were to last for years, I never gained a mentor that wanted to take me on as a mentee (or underling, I'm pretty sure that's what they're called) and so, when the new me heard that there was a networking night coming up, I did not greet the event with great enthusiasm. I greeted it with despair and treated it like the seasonal flu shot; just another thing I should do. Adding to my mild disgust, I also wasn't enthused by the networking night because I knew that it meant my current life would soon be over and I'd be a graduate all over again.
 
In my current life as a post-graduate student, I was wiser. I knew that the experience would be what I wanted it to be. Nothing any of the professors said could influence my thoughts on the matter, this time I didn't have any expectations.

Without any expectations or hopes and dreams resting on this night alone, I was actually able to relax and communicate with the representatives and learn and retain information. To my surprise I was actually able to interact and communication flowed both ways and dialogue was created. Ultimately I learned that company representatives like talking to students and are willing to give helpful tips and hints. Of course, there were some awkward moments, as there are bound to be when meeting any stranger for the first time- but I had a good time, collected some contact information and won a door prize to experience a "Day in the Life of a worker" at Reprisemedia (this will be the part two portion of the networking night).

To paint a better picture of what the event was like the second time around:

Location/venue: The Marquee

Vendors/participating organizations:

• Bunzl
• Metroland Media Group
• Havas Worldwide Toronto 
• Forrester Research 
• TubeMogul
• Juice Mobile 
• UM Canada 
• Creative Niche Inc.
•  Media Brands 
• Premiere Publications and Shows 
• Sales Talent Agency 
• Dentsu Aegis Network (Carat Canada)
• Naked Creative Consultancy 
• Active International (Active Media Services)
• Zfactor 
• Yield Branding 
• Mosaic
• Oakville Beaver
• IQ Partners 
• The Hamilton Spectator