2014 Speed Mentoring Event

Last month our Annual Speed Mentoring Night, presented by Starburst Creative, brought together a fine group of both students and industry professionals for a great evening. This recap of the event by student attendee, Kayla Sommer, does an amazing job of capturing the spirit of the event:

My Speed Mentoring Experience, by Kayla Sommer

On October 7th I was lucky enough to attend the annual ACE student speed mentoring night at the Parlour Italian Bistro downtown Edmonton. Not only was the food incredible but I ended the night with a few new friends and a whole lot of new knowledge. Prior to the event, I knew very little about the advertising industry and had no real concept of what’s out there for marketing students like me. ACE’s speed mentoring night gives students a chance to speak directly to industry professionals in a speed dating fashion, where students and mentors are given five minutes to ask and answer as many questions as possible. In total, I was able to speak with six different professionals who each had their own take on the industry and their own specialty. The atmosphere was incredibly engaging, and I wasn’t at all nervous or worried about what to ask as ACE provided us with a list of example questions to start the conversation and fully prepared us for what to except before we got started.

Before joining ACE and attending this event, the only thing I knew was that I was interested in advertising. I had zero understanding of what an advertising job might look like, what different avenues a person can take in advertising or how to even get my foot in the door. Going to this event was exactly what I needed to jump start my career, I met individuals who I now feel comfortable enough to reach out to and who gave me personal feedback on the steps I should take a marketing student nearing graduation. Since then I have volunteered for more ACE events and have a new found confidence and excitement for my pending graduation and career in marketing.

Thanks for everything ACE!