After TMU — Erin Warner

What program did you take and why did you choose to study at Ryerson University?

I studied technology and innovation as part of TMU’s MBA program. I chose TMU because I was working for the university and one of the perks of being an employee is the ability to study for free!

How did your degree influence your career path?

The program gave me the skills and confidence to venture into a new industry after working in Toronto’s arts and cultural sector for nearly 10 years.

What are some skills you developed through university that are applicable to your career?

Strategic thinking, research skills, and the ability to work effectively in a group. 

What do you wish you could tell your university self?

I would tell my younger university self to go after things that scare you. For most of my academic career, I avoided quantitative subjects because growing up these were the areas where I always required extra help. During the MBA program, I had no choice but to partake and I learned that with perseverance and hard work I could overcome any of my own perceived shortcomings. Plus, the joy and satisfaction that comes from tackling something challenging is far greater than from a task that comes easy to you.

How did your experience at TMU help you find your first position after graduation?

Not only did the program equip me with the experience to pivot into a new industry, it also offered a variety of career services. This included guidance and prep with the interview process, which I found to be invaluable. 

In your experience, what are some attributes of individuals who are most successful in your field?

There are so many channels and so many choices to make in marketing and communications. The most successful in this field are the people who are able to develop a clear vision and separate the noise from the worthy endeavours. 

If you could start all over again, would you change your career path in any way? Why?

I wouldn’t change anything. A former manager once said to me that the future is forward and I believe that to be true. I strive to always be moving forward, making the most of opportunities along the way and creating my own. 

What is a typical “Day in Your Work Life” like?

There’s a lot of switching from different tasks and different projects. If they say that “change is as good as a rest,” then the constant change of focus is certainly what keeps me on my toes.

What projects or creative ventures are you working on right now?

During the pandemic, I began working for a start-up part-time after coming across an article about it on LinkedIn. Heartcade was created to challenge our disposable dating culture by making it more fun and more human. Inspired by the power of play, Heartcade forgoes the ritual of endless, distracted swiping in favour of a gamified experience that enables more meaningful connections, romantic or otherwise. If you’re single and looking for more than just a hook-up, I encourage you to give it a shot and try something new: heartcade.co/request-entry

What are the best parts of your work; what are the necessary evils?

The best part — marketing and communications is an area of work that exists at most companies. This is an exciting prospect because it provides the opportunity to work in many different industries. The evils — a lot of project management.