Reflecting on an MPC Tradition: Evening with Industry

Final_CBoros_PortraitThe Evening With Industry has become a mainstay event within the MPC program, encouraging students and faculty to engage with industry professionals. When presented with the opportunity to organize these events, Caitlin Boros (MPC 2014) was more than up for the challenge.

As a relative newcomer to Toronto, Caitlin was slightly intimidated by the task of pursuing and connecting with insightful industry guest speakers. “I had no idea where to start. I just kept my fingers crossed that the professionals who received my out-of-the-blue emails would be interested in speaking to a group of eager communicators”. Luckily, through a few connections and assistance from fellow MPCers, both events brought fantastic speakers from the fields of Advertising, Public Relations, Nonprofit Communication, Government Communication, and Digital Media.

These events provided insight into the broad range of roles within the communication profession. Students were given the opportunity to ask important questions and forge lasting connections through the use of some well-harnessed networking skills.

The second event, held on April 10, 2014, included representation from two well-respected communication associations in Toronto. Linda Andross, previous President and current member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Toronto, and Maryjane Martin, President of the Canadian Public Relations Society Toronto (CPRS), were both in attendance, informing students of the benefits of joining a professional association. “We wanted to give MPC students the opportunity to learn more about the communication ‘communities’ that are out there, especially since we’re getting closer and closer to entering the field ourselves,” says Caitlin.

While the events differed slightly in their format (one a round-table discussion, the other a networking event), both gatherings offered attendees a unique opportunity to learn about the field of communication, engage with experienced professionals, ask their most burning questions, and make contact with someone that may be able to offer advice or assistance post-MPC. “Thanks to the support and participation of MPC students and faculty, these events were a great success, and will be continued in future years of the program,” Caitlin notes.

The 2013-2014 Evening With Industry series hosted guests from:

  • APEX PR / IABC Toronto
  • Blue Goose
  • Health Quality Ontario
  • Canadian Public Relations Society – Toronto (CPRS)
  • SlimCut Media
  • Starcom MediaVest Group
  • Veritas Communications
  • Lake Ontario Waterkeeper