We asked two Chartered Marketers, who also happen to be panellists at the upcoming CMA NXT Marketing Careers Night on May 21, a few questions to give you a taste of the advice they will share. First is Dr. Tulsi Dharel, CM, Professor of Marketing at Centennial College. Next, we have Karim Kanji, CM, Vice President of Digital and Emerging Media at Active International Canada.
What I love most about my job is mentoring the next generation of marketers. As a professor, I get to guide students in developing not just skills, but also values that shape them into thoughtful, responsible professionals.
I sincerely love the culture at Active International. I have always been entrepreneurial, so controlling my destiny was always important. I knew the advertising and marketing world was constantly changing, so I created a job where I could move with the trends so that we could be first to react in the marketplace and put our clients in a position to win!
Empathy, adaptability, and integrity are essential. Empathy helps marketers truly understand diverse audiences. Adaptability is critical in a fast-changing digital world. Integrity builds trust—an increasingly rare but vital asset in marketing today.
Never stop learning and networking. Put yourself in a position to learn as often as possible. Nothing will be handed to you on a silver platter, so put yourself in a position to have others know who you are and what you do.
Early in my career, I faced cultural barriers and often had to go the extra mile to be heard or taken seriously. Overcoming those challenges required resilience, a commitment to excellence, and a willingness to learn continuously. I also leaned on mentors and built a strong network, which made a lasting difference.
When I started, I knew what I was good at and what I wasn’t. I knew I didn’t understand the work of paid media and admitted it. I also showed a passion for learning and took every opportunity to raise my hand. I started in this industry at an age where most people my age were already managing teams, accounts and budgets - but I didn’t let that stop me.
Be curious, stay open to feedback, and never stop learning. Marketing is always evolving—what works today might not work tomorrow. Build your personal brand with authenticity and purpose.
Make sure you are always learning and networking. Seek out the mentorship of people you admire at your office and in the profession.
I’m proud of the impact I’ve made through teaching, especially when former students reach out to share how our lessons shaped their careers. I’m equally proud of my work with the Canadian Multicultural Council, where I’ve helped develop initiatives promoting inclusive marketing practices in Canada.
The number one accomplishment is seeing the growth and development of people on my team.
As an immigrant from an Asian background, entering the marketing world in Canada came with both challenges and defining moments. Navigating a new culture while trying to establish my voice in a highly competitive industry was not easy.
Learning from people smarter than me has helped me become a better employee and leader. No one specific. However, I always put myself in a position to learn from others by attending as many industry events as my calendar allows.
Marketing is a powerful blend of strategy, psychology, and creativity. I love that it allows us to connect with people, shape culture, and drive meaningful conversations. At its best, marketing doesn’t just sell—it builds community and inspires change.
The ability to be creative and tackle problems with new and innovative technologies and people.
The CMA NXT Marketing Careers Night was on Wednesday, May 21. It's a virtual and free event, where our panel of Canadian marketers share their success stories to give you the insights you need to gain a leg up on the competition.
"I love that marketing doesn't force me to pick a lane. I get to be the analytical one who figures out the strategy, but I also get to be the creative one who brings it to life. It's that constant back-and-forth between the two that makes the work actually feel like me." – Sakina, CMA Intern
One piece of advice that stuck with me was to stop waiting until I felt 'fully ready' before taking opportunities. A lot of growth comes from putting yourself in environments that challenge you, even if you're still learning. I've learned that experience builds confidence.
While scouring social media sites, job postings and your favourite companies searching for opportunities to get your foot in the door, you kept seeing one constant – required experience. That's something you just don't have. You're trying but you can't seem to get your foot in the door. Either you get no response or the response is that they've decided not to move forward with your application. That sucks.
