Strategic Relationship Marketing
Graduate, 2013
Strategic Relationship Marketing grad lands position out of work placement
Sometimes the proof that you’ve picked the right program is in your success in the field. For Strategic Relationship Marketing alumnus Denys Shashura, landing a full-time role with the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation a year after his co-op placement was the first step. Moving into a senior role two years later confirmed it.
As an international student who had completed a bachelor’s degree in economics before arriving in Canada from the Ukraine in 2012, Shashura knew what he was looking for as a transition. “I needed a powerful starting point for a career in a new country. I was looking for a program that would give me a solid upgrade of professional knowledge and experience and help me smoothly integrate into the local job market. The Strategic Relationship Marketing Program at George Brown College was that perfect choice,” he says. The 12-month, two-semester post-graduate program includes courses on marketing management, research, metrics, and data mining and modelling.
Shashura says he was impressed with the way that professors blended theory along with practical business case studies. He adds that one course that stood out was Computer Applications for Database Marketing 11. “All the program courses helped me become more marketable to potential employers. However, as a person leaning towards a career in analytics, that course taught us how to use data analysis techniques to generate actionable insights and effectively deliver them to business decision makers.” says Shashura.
In terms of soft skills, Shashura adds that the opportunity for class discussions and presentations made him a more confident communicator. “It is a particularly important skill for people who work in analytics because they often need to communicate complex information in a simple way and be persuasive,” he says.
Now an industry professional, Shashura has some advice of his own. He encourages students to use college resources such as the career centre, to network, and to make the most of their time as a student. During his studies, Shashura says that he tried to make the most of seminars with guest speakers, and networking events on campus. “Be proactive,” he says. “Ask questions and participate in activities, in class and outside. It will help you keep your knowledge above par and make connections with professors and other people in the field.”
