Sold-out Industry Connect Event hosted over 200 participants across various creative industries
The Creative Industries program recently hosted its annual Industry Connect event for the first time since before the pandemic. The event provides a valuable networking opportunity for third and fourth-year Creative Industries students to meet industry professionals from various creative sectors. Students in the Professional Music program were also invited to attend the event this year.
Over 200 participants gathered in the SLC building to explore networking opportunities with Creative Industries alumni and industry professionals. Talent management, music, public relations, marketing, and film were just a handful of the industries represented during the event, with professionals from companies including Bell Media, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Canada, and Warner Music Canada.
The “speed networking” setup allowed students to meet with a variety of professionals during the event
The evening was organized in three primary portions; the first was a chance for attendees to sign in and enjoy refreshments, followed by a speed networking event, and concluding with an opportunity to mingle and chat with other guests.
Current students had the opportunity to select a sector of their interest within the creative industries and complete a series of 10-minute networking sessions, similar to a group interview. This valuable experience allowed attendees to ask questions directly to professionals working in the industry. The industry guests offered insight into their profession, work experience, and advice to students pursuing careers in creative industries.
Attendees chatted amongst themselves before the event kicked off
To conclude the evening, participants were encouraged to connect with other attendees and chat further with industry guests and alumni, providing an invaluable networking experience and an opportunity for students to develop and practice their interviewing skills during the event.
Alumni Advice
Mackenzie Salhany graduated from the Creative Industries program in 2018 and is currently a Marketing Manager in Catalogue Marketing at Warner Music. Salhany was one of the many industry guests students had the opportunity to ask questions and chat with.
Many students sought advice for pursuing a career in a field they were passionate about and Salhany recalled wanting the same experience in her future career during her time in the program.
“I was looking for something practical, that included both business and creativity,” she explained. “I got all those elements and so much more from Creative Industries. The program ties the two aspects together really well.”
When asked how she ended up in her current role, Salhany recalls the advice her professors gave during her undergraduate studies.
“They encouraged me to try different roles and experiment with different aspects of the industry to narrow down the type of work I enjoyed best,” recalled Salhany. “This helped me figure out what I was passionate about and what kind of career I wanted.
She also passed on some advice to the current students interested in pursuing a career in creative industries.
“My advice for anyone looking to break into the industry is to ensure you are passionate about the opportunities you apply for. Do your research and try out different roles to show future hiring managers and employers you are passionate about the work.”
Full House
A group of students chat with an industry professional during the speed networking portion of the event
Creative Industries Partnerships, Alumni Outreach, and Work Placement Specialist Alexandra D’Arcy expressed her gratitude for all those involved in putting on such a successful event.
“The energy was fantastic,” D’Arcy said. “We reached capacity at over 200 people, which included almost 50 industry guests.”
The Creative Industries program offers a unique interdisciplinary education, developing student’s skills, leadership, and knowledge through the intersection of creativity, business, and culture.
The Creative Industries program hosted its annual Industry Connect event in-person for the first time since before the pandemic
The Creative School at Toronto Metropolitan University
The Creative School is a dynamic faculty that is making a difference in new, unexplored ways. Made up of Canada’s top professional schools and transdisciplinary hubs in media, communication, design and cultural industries, The Creative School offers students an unparalleled global experience in the heart of downtown Toronto.