The Journey Talk featuring Jaeden Auguste

Welcome to The Journey Talk with Rafa Uccello! Here we talk to young marketing professionals about their career journey, aspirations and inspirations. Get to know more about the people that are shaping the future of our industry.

This week, we got to chat with Jaeden Auguste, a freelance marketing specialist who highlights the importance of networking and constant learning, in the evolving marketing industry.

Name: Jaeden Auguste

Pronouns: He/Him

Education: Humber College – Bachelor of Commerce, Marketing

Industry: Digital Marketing

Favourite quote: “Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing. That’s the Law of Consistency. It doesn’t matter how talented you are. It doesn’t matter how many opportunities you receive. If you want to grow, consistency is key.” —John C. Maxwell

Guilty pleasures: Sour Patch Kids

1.Did you have a career in mind when you started?

For me, it was a very interesting process. Sometimes in high school, you are forced into specific roles—your parents want you to be a dentist, an engineer, etc. My parents wanted me to go into I.T., So I went to Ryerson University for technology management. I spent about three years there and realized that what I wanted to pursue was marketing and that I didn’t enjoy I.T. So, I decided to go to Humber.

2.  At what point did you know the career you wanted to pursue, and what you wanted to achieve?

 My interest in marketing started when I was a kid. My dad had a company, and I helped him with his marketing and social media content. When I transitioned from I.T to marketing, I knew I wanted to work with digital content, and I already had the leading skills to do it. My real-life experience was the catalyst for choosing digital marketing. If it weren’t for my dad’s business, I probably wouldn’t know about my interest in the industry.

 3. What is something that you learned that has been impactful for you?

 I learned throughout my time in school and at work that networking is so important. Networking is one of the key skills that a marketer should have. I learned about it later than I wished, but I made sure when I started at Humber that I connected with my professors and classmates. In the real world, to get through particular doors and positions, it’s not always about being the best candidate; it’s about who knows the right people.

 4. What is one thing you wish you knew when starting your career in marketing?

 I wish I knew what I wanted to specialize in, sooner. As marketers, we are always trying to learn as much as we can—the industry is constantly evolving and changing; we are naturally forced to tackle many different areas. I wish I had known to focus on one thing at a time, try it out, and move on to the next if I didn’t like it. I realized while applying for jobs, recently, that no one wants a “marketer of all trades”; companies want marketers who are focused, and who get results.

 5. What keeps you motivated and inspired in your professional life?

 My hunger to learn keeps me motivated. I chose marketing because it is constantly changing—which means there is always something new to learn. Every day is different! For you to learn, you also have to execute: hands-on, practical experience, is key. With a continually evolving industry, I have the opportunity to apply that and be the best in my area of expertise. Working as a freelancer, I have been doing a lot of social media marketing, however, on the side, I’m also exploring YouTube analytics, SEO, backlinks, sales copywriting, etc., to ensure I’m ahead of the curve.