markewicken in Myths and RealitiesNetworking

Networking is your best chance to meet new people

Myth: Going to networking events with a friend will give you someone to talk to when things get boring.

Reality: Graduates are often intimidated by networking events, so you will ask friends to come along. The problem is, you spend the whole event talking to no one but the people you already know. It is best to go to networking events by myself when you can. This forces you to reach out and meet new people. This is the way to connect with people, build confidence expand your network.

Next Read: Networking is about meeting lots of people »

How to networkNetworking eventsNetworking tips

markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.