Wondering how to make an impact with your marketing degree or curious about what lies ahead? You’re in the right place! This article is part of an 8-part series, supported by RBC Future Launch, that delves into the entrepreneurial journeys of students and recent graduates just like you. 

To get some real advice, we sat down with three of our 2024 RBC Inclusive Entrepreneurship Award Winners from our Fellowship Program. These marketing graduates, recognized for their inclusive leadership and entrepreneurial innovation, shared their personal stories, growth journeys, and practical advice, all tailored just for you.

Meet the Fellows

Laura Oris-Naidenova

Laura Oris-Naidenova graduated from Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa with a degree in Honours Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing (French Immersion) and Marketing/Marketing Management. She’s based in Ottawa, Ontario and is currently a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow. 

“I worked with VFC throughout my undergrad in their Intrapreneurship program. When the time came to apply to the Fellowship, I decided to take the leap because I love working for small businesses and startups— I really love being able to see the impact of the work I’m doing in real-time. Ultimately, I see myself working in social impact, sustainability, or health tech; something that builds community and makes Canada more competitive. Entrepreneurship is all about unconventional wisdom and growth. I think I’ve always known I would have an unconventional career, and learning through the lens of entrepreneurship is just one avenue to provide support for me as I begin my professional journey,” explains Laura. 

Laura talks about how she graduated from a business program where she specialized in marketing. What really drew her to marketing in particular was how human it was: “it’s a unique mix of psychology (to be able to understand human behaviour) and analytics (to be able to read data to interpret that human behaviour). It’s such a fun and challenging career path, but you really need to be able to nurture both your soft and hard skills. 

I would say my biggest piece of advice to those in marketing is to push yourself to understand people and what drives them to make decisions, especially people with different perspectives from you. Basic psychology will take you a long way. I’d also recommend learning some basic data analysis skills. By continuing to learn outside of a formal setting, you’ll be better prepared to work with any industry or area that you’re interested in. Not to mention that a lot of marketing jobs that we see today didn’t exist twenty years ago— and twenty years from now, there will be probably be even more new titles that we’re not even aware of yet. So stay curious, try new things, and be open-minded, and you’ll be golden,” says Laura. 

“I went into the program with an open mind, not really knowing what to expect. But after three weeks of late night conversations, hearing perspectives from Canadian entrepreneurs, not to mention those countless games of beach volleyball… wow. What a time, honestly. I met so many deeply, deeply cool people who not only expanded my worldview, but also pushed me to be a better version of myself— a better communicator, a better learner, a better team player, and a better friend. The mentorship VFC provides is so powerful because it revealed learning blindspots I didn’t even know I had, and by working through them I feel better equipped to dive into the real world,” reflects Laura.

Carolyn Kont

Carolyn Kont has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Marketing Specialization from Okanagan College. She also participated in a five-week intensive French Immersion program hosted by Université Laval in Québec City. She’s located in West Kelowna, British Columbia and is a 2024 Fellow. 

Carolyn first learned about the Fellowship Program through a friend from school who spoke highly of Venture for Canada. Intrigued by his recommendation, she looked into the program after completing her degree. “The alignment of VFC’s Fellowship with my career goals—specifically enhancing my marketing expertise and entrepreneurial skills—prompted me to apply. With an acceptance rate of only 2.85%, I was thrilled to be selected for the program, marking the beginning of an enriching journey,” says Carolyn. 

One key phrase that was highlighted by numerous speakers at Training Camp was ‘your network is your net worth.’ “During this journey, you will meet individuals from diverse academic backgrounds. Your connections can significantly impact your career trajectory, so treat every interaction with kindness, openness, and curiosity,” advises Carolyn. 

She recommends embracing the entirety of the Training Camp experience; it’s a brief but pivotal opportunity for growth. Attend all sessions, even those outside your immediate interests. “I once encouraged a Fellow to attend a marketing session despite her initial hesitation, and she ended up discovering a passion for the field. Take risks, step out of your comfort zone, and fully engage with the diverse learning opportunities offered,” says Carolyn.

“One of the most valuable aspects of the Fellowship Program was the lifelong connections I formed during Training Camp, it offered excellent networking opportunities that significantly expanded my professional circle. Engaging in Training Camp sessions and sprint activities further enriched my skill set, equipping me with practical knowledge and experiences that have been invaluable in my career advancement.  Moreover, taking on the responsibility of becoming a Homeroom Lead allowed me to further develop my leadership and organizational skills,” explains Carolyn. ❤️

Leigh Hui 

Leigh Hui completed her Bachelor of Design, Fashion Communication degree with a minor in marketing at Toronto Metropolitan University. Like most individuals who are multi-passionate, Leigh’s career path is non-linear, wanting to pivot to HR and People Operations and even dabble in the legal field as well. Leigh is based in Toronto, Ontario and is a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow. 

Leigh actually found the Fellowship Program by accident. She received an email from VFC saying that the application deadline was extended and had no idea how she got on the email list to begin with but she clicked on it anyway. She read more into the program and was interested in it, especially since it required doing something outside of her comfort zone. Usually Leigh’s imposter syndrome gets in the way when it comes to applying to programs and she thinks “What’s the point? I’m probably not going to get in anyway.”

But this time was different, she was at a stage where she was trying to pivot out of her program and also just figuring out where she wanted to go, so she thought “Okay, I might as well apply. I don’t have any prospects right now, might as well  take the leap and take a chance.” That’s how she found herself in the interview process for the Fellowship Program, and even during the interview process she was nervous and confused. She decided not to quit during the Selection Events and stayed on for the entirety of the event. Her feelings afterwards? Confident and proud. Leigh was motivated to join the Fellowship Program because it aligns with her long-term goals and so she could leverage the career coaching that VFC provides. “I felt so underprepared during my undergrad, and I was so creatively burnt out. I knew I needed to pivot. VFC teaches me entrepreneurial skills and helps me be more prepared for my career,” reflects Leigh. 

Leigh’s advice, especially when you’re pivoting, is that it’s okay to feel however you feel. When you come to a headway and you figure out that your degree isn’t a field you want to continue in, it’s okay because many people pivot, for example from theater to VP of finance. Don’t doubt yourself. Someone has seen potential in you and people will continue to see potential in you. It’s all about making the most of opportunities that come your way, and that you can create your own opportunities, especially if you’re truly unhappy in your career path it’s not really the end of the world even though it feels like it. She advises, “Figure out what you like, take on roles, especially in a student group setting to figure out what you might be interested in and use those experiences to pivot. I did recruitment and event coordinating for several student groups which is why I found HR and People Operations. If you want to be your own boss then definitely take on some of those opportunities. I think it’s really important to have that entrepreneurial path for yourself.” 

The Fellowship Program has helped her get out of my comfort zone. She’s more willing to take on opportunities or do things that she was scared of doing in the past. “I’m not usually much of an explorer. I really like to stay in my own bubble and I think that the in-person portion of the Training Camp was actually the first time I was like, ‘Oh my god, I’m gonna do this!’ I hadn’t left Toronto since moving here in 2019, so even just leaving my house and adjusting to a new living condition or environment was a big step for me, because again, I don’t like leaving my bubble,” explains Leigh. 

The program overall made her feel a lot more confident about herself, professionally and personally. The admissions rate was really low, at 2%, which is pretty low compared to a lot of the other programs. This gave Leigh a boost of confidence that she’s doing well for herself. 

“The Fellows made me realize everyone’s so supportive and so like-minded and they made me realize that I was worthy of these opportunities. And honestly, all it took me was to fill out an application form and not pressing the end call during my interview to get me to where I am today. So, I think sometimes you really have to just take the leap and recognize the worst response you can get is rejection,” says Leigh. 💯

Kali Beaton

Kali Beaton graduated from St. Francis Xavier University with a degree in Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) with a marketing major. She’s based in Halifax, Nova Scotia and is currently a 2024 Venture for Canada Fellow. 

Kali decided to apply to the Fellowship Program after completing an internship through VFC’s Internship Program last summer. “I had a professional tell me about the program and connect me with past Alumni who went through the Fellowship Program and share their awesome experiences with me! I was so happy to get the opportunity to be a part of the program!” explains Kali. 

“I knew I was not set on beginning my career in marketing and wanted to explore other career options in Canada. The programming at Training Camp really helped me explore other career opportunities that my degree and past experiences can have me in line for!”

Kali felt that Training Camp was an amazing experience because she was surrounded by a group of people who have so many great ideas, are incredibly driven, and kind. “Training Camp helped me be more confident after graduation, and it helped me see the bigger picture by getting to talk to so many founders with many years of experience,” says Kali. Training Camp gave her the confidence to expand her horizons beyond her comfort zone. The best part about Training Camp for her was getting to meet and be surrounded by a lovely group of Fellows and the Venture for Canada staff who were all so kind and supportive. 🥰

Inspired by their stories?

You can be next! Become one of the top 65 entrepreneurial graduates across Canada by applying for Venture for Canada’s Fellowship Program. Connect with a vibrant community and leverage your unique social science background to carve a distinct path in the entrepreneurial world. Engage with like-minded individuals, redefine entrepreneurship, and build a future where your skills set you apart.

Apply to Venture for Canada’s 2025 Fellowship Cohort