Career Accelerator: Marketing Mentorship Program in Toronto

Take charge of your marketing career with AMA Toronto’s Career Accelerator Program: a mentorship experience designed for early-career professionals who want to gain clarity, confidence, and direction. This program pairs you with a seasoned marketing mentor who provides actionable marketing career advice, helping you define your goals and accelerate your professional growth.

AMA Toronto is a leader in marketing mentorship programs. With over 20 years of proven success, our mentorship initiatives have helped hundreds of marketers find their path, strengthen their confidence, and unlock new opportunities.

The Career Accelerator builds on this legacy, providing hands-on mentorship for the next generation of marketing leaders in Toronto.

What Is the Career Accelerator Mentorship Program?

The Career Accelerator is a structured Toronto mentorship program built for marketers with 1-8 years of experience. Inspired by the success of AMA Toronto’s Mentor Exchange, it empowers emerging marketing professionals to expand their skills, grow their networks, and confidently take the next step in their careers.

Each participant is matched with an experienced mentor for personalized early career guidance, offering perspective, feedback, and professional support every step of the way.

Program duration: January June
Applications open: From November to January
Designed for: Marketing, advertising, and communications professionals aged 24–35

Who Should Apply to the Career Accelerator Program?

If you’re an early-career marketer looking to build momentum, Career Accelerator is for you. Ideal participants are:

  • Professionals 1-8 years into their marketing career

  • Ambitious and eager to define their next steps

  • Seeking mentorship and marketing career advice from industry experts

  • Looking to expand their professional network in Toronto

  • Motivated to grow, pivot, or level up in their career journey

Career Accelerator Program Benefits

Joining the Career Accelerator means gaining exclusive access to mentorship, learning resources, and professional connections that fuel growth.

  • Five 1:1 mentorship sessions with a mid-level marketing professional for goal-setting, career advice, and objective guidance

  • One-year AMA Global Membership with access to digital certificates, toolkits, and a worldwide network

  • Curated learning resources to support your growth

  • One free ticket to an AMA Toronto event (panel, workshop, or networking)

  • Free access to all monthly Marketing Networking Group (MNG) events for ongoing connections

Networking and Community

You’ll begin your mentorship journey with an in-person kickoff event, meeting your mentor, fellow mentees, and members of AMA Toronto’s dynamic marketing community.

Throughout the program, you’ll stay connected through periodic coffee meetups with your cohort, gaining insights and support from peers on similar paths. You’ll also have chances to network at AMA Toronto events year-round, including panels, workshops, and Marketing Networking Group sessions. These touchpoints help you build meaningful industry relationships and a lasting professional network that supports your marketing career well beyond the program.

“I received a lot of constructive feedback on positioning myself for the right jobs. My mentor helped me perfect my cover letter and resume, opened my profile up to his network, and prepped me for interviews with mock interviews.”

2024 CA Mentee

Program Details and Key Dates

  • January to June
  • Applications open from November to January
  • Price: $349 (early bird $299)
    • Student rates available for undergrad students 
  • 6 months of one-on-one mentorship meetings with a mid-level marketing mentor
  • Scientifically matched pairings based on the data you provide on your career goal
 
The total value of these benefits is over $960, and in many cases, the cost of the program can be claimed on your income taxes under “Union Dues and Associations Memberships.”
 

Is the Career Accelerator Program Right for Me?

I just graduated with a marketing, communications, or PR degree. Is this program for me?

Yes. Career Accelerator is designed specifically for early-career marketers, including new grads entering the industry for the first time. You’ll gain clarity on roles, guidance on your first job search, and practical advice from someone who has been exactly where you are.


I feel stuck in my current role. Can this program help me figure out my next step?

Absolutely. If you’re unsure how to grow, what skills to build, or how to position yourself for new opportunities, a mentor can help you get unstuck, identify a path forward, and create a practical plan for getting there.


I’m trying to transition into marketing from another industry. Will mentorship help me reposition my experience?

Yes. Many participants join while pivoting into marketing. Your mentor will help you highlight transferrable skills, refine your story, and understand how to make your background work for the roles you’re targeting.


I’m new to Toronto or Canada and want to build a stronger professional network. Is this program a good fit?

Definitely. Career Accelerator offers meaningful connections with mentors, peers, and the broader AMA Toronto community, making it ideal for international students, newcomers, or professionals building a network from scratch.


I know the marketing theory from school, but I don’t know how to apply it in a real job. Can this help?

Yes. Your mentor will help bridge the gap between classroom concepts and the day-to-day realities of marketing roles, giving you the confidence to take on real projects and responsibilities.


I feel overwhelmed by how fast marketing is changing from AI, to new tools, and new roles. Is this program relevant to that?

Absolutely. Your mentor will help you focus on what actually matters, what skills to prioritize, and how to upskill strategically without feeling like you’re constantly behind.


I’m not confident in my skills yet. Can mentorship help with imposter syndrome?

Yes. Mentorship offers a safe space to ask questions, get honest feedback, and build the confidence you need to show up fully in your role or job search.


I want to grow, but I’m not sure what “good” looks like in an early-career marketing role. Can this help me understand expectations?

Yes. Mentors help decode expectations, guide you through workplace challenges, and show you what strong performance looks like, so you can thrive, not just survive.


I struggle with personal branding, storytelling, or interviews. Can Career Accelerator help with that?

It can. Your mentor can help you refine your career narrative, polish your LinkedIn, strengthen your resume, and build a professional presence that aligns with where you want to go.


I’m looking for a community of peers who are growing alongside me. Does this program offer that?

Yes. Along with your mentor, you’ll join a cohort of emerging marketers, get access to AMA events, and become part of a supportive network committed to learning and growth.

Ready to invest in your career?

Apply to AMA Toronto’s Career Accelerator Mentorship Program and gain the confidence, clarity, and community you need to succeed.

Meet the Mentors for Career Accelerator

Lara Martinez Kandt
Lara Martinez Kandt
Marketing Lead
KPMG
Kelly Baum
Kelly Baumgartner
Category Marketing Manager
Goodfood
Darragh Fitzgerald
Darragh Fitzgerald
Christine Cruz-Clarke
Christine Cruz-Clarke
CEO
Balzac’s Coffee Roasters

Mentor Exchange Industry Sponsors & Partners

The Career Accelerator Learning Program