At Centennial College, learning keeps going after the lecture is done. Marian Joy Hernandez is a student in our Marketing - Digital Engagement Strategy program, a previous graduate of Marketing Management, and a perfect example of this. Outside those two programs, she’s taken on a Peer Mentor role, and a leadership position with the Centennial College Student Association Inc. (CCSAI), turning her education into applied professional experience. Here’s what that looks like at Centennial College.
Sharpening her Skills
When Marian talks about marketing, she starts with people.
“I'm a writer by profession,” she says, “so I've always been drawn to storytelling and understanding people, what motivates them, what they care about, and how ideas move them to action. Marketing felt like a natural intersection of that.”
“After years of working in writing, communications and stakeholder engagement, I wanted to have a more formal education,” she explains. “I wanted to formalize that and modernize my skillset, especially in digital marketing.” That goal brought her to Centennial College, whose reputation for student support stood out.
“I have friends from Centennial who have graduated, and I knew the college had a reputation for practical hands-on learning,” she says. “As an international student, that was attractive to me. Centennial genuinely supports diverse learners and prepares students for the Canadian job market. In my program, that’s exactly what we got: Hands-on experience and real clients.”
Marian first completed Centennial’s Marketing Management program, graduating in August last year. But one program wasn’t enough.
“I just realized how much more confident and capable I felt after finishing that program, and that there was more opportunity to deepen my skills,” she says. “I wanted to build a stronger foundation in digital strategy, especially AI. Coming back for a second program felt like a strategic decision.”
Learning by Doing
“Last semester in the Digital Engagement Strategy program, we started a pilot project,” Marian says, as an example of hands-on learning. “It was a website to attract more students to the program for the next cohort. It felt like a real hands-on experience for us, like we applied everything that we learned in the classroom.” Now in her final semester, Marian is working with an international client.
“We have a capstone project with a real client, he's from Lithuania,” she says. “We have three different groups, and we're tasked to act as a digital consultant agency for his brand, which is a cannabis-inspired beverage. It's in the early stages, but it's one example of how we can apply our learning in the actual world.”
These experiences have changed how she approaches marketing work.
“I can confidently plan and execute a marketing strategy now from start to finish,” she says. “With this program, I'm much more comfortable working with analytics and digital platforms, which used to feel intimidating.”
Growing Outside of the Classroom
Beyond the classroom, Marian has built leadership skills through Centennial’s Peer Mentorship program and the Centennial College Student Association Inc., a journey that started when she was a mentee.
“As a mentee, I experienced firsthand how valuable support and guidance is, especially for students who are navigating a new country, a new academic system, a new career path,” she says. “So, becoming a peer mentor felt like a natural progression. It's a way to give back, and also to create the kind of support system I wish I had earlier. I was inspired by the idea that having small conversations with students can make a big difference in their in their life as a student in Centennial.” Now hired as a Peer Mentor, she has developed key interpersonal strengths.
“I've learned how to strengthen my active listening skills, and also my problem-solving skills,” she says, “because I've learned how to guide conversations, ask the right questions, and also support others, trusting that they will make the right decisions.”
Joining the Student Government
Being a Mentor also led to Marian joining the Centennial College Student Association Inc., in a student leadership role.
“I found out about CCSAI through the peer mentorship program,” she says. “Through that experience, I became more aware of their services, and how they support students.”
“They always have job opportunities,” she continues, “So, I would regularly check the CCSAI website. When the Board Communications Officer role was posted, it stood out, because it felt like a great fit for me, something that I could do, between my background in communications and my interest in student engagement, so I applied.” In the role, Marian translates governance into accessible communication.
“As Board Communications Officer, I'm basically the bridge between the board and the student body,” she explains, “so I help ensure that the information between the board and the students is clear, accessible and also engaging. I help craft messaging and also ensure transparency in any communication materials that we release. I make sure that the board’s decisions are shared with the wider community in a way that is clear and engaging.”
Marian’s professional growth from this has been significant.
“I'm developing strong stakeholder communication skills, and learning how to communicate with diverse audiences,” she says. “I've also been gaining experience in governance-level messaging. I'm sharpening my leadership, collaboration and strategic thinking skills. I think these skills are incredibly transferable, and they will benefit me in any marketing or communications role.”
Ready for What’s Next
Looking across her academic and extracurricular experience, Marian sees progress.
“Between my academic training, my leadership role in the board, and also my mentoring experience, I definitely feel more much more prepared to enter the workforce,” she says, “because I've learned how to collaborate with all kinds of people, and I adapt and communicate effectively in professional settings. More importantly, I'm able to trust myself now, my ability to learn and adapt into new environments, which is just as important as technical skills.”
Her advice to future Centennial College students is simple.
“In general, just say yes to opportunities,” she says. “Even when you don't feel 100 per cent ready, get involved, ask questions, and don't underestimate how much you already bring to the table. Centennial offers so many ways to grow beyond the classroom, it's really just up to the student to make the most of it.”
Marian’s journey shows what happens when classroom learning is paired with real responsibility. Through hands-on projects, real clients, peer mentorship, and her role with the CCSAI, Marian didn’t just study Marketing at Centennial College, she practiced it in professional environments before graduation. That combination of academic training and meaningful extracurricular experience is what sets Centennial College apart. You don’t have to wait until after graduation to build confidence, leadership skills, or a career-ready portfolio. The opportunities are already here, and this is where your path starts.
By Anthony Geremia