Are you interested in a career in Marketing, or want to learn more about digital careers? This blog will discuss how Sophie kickstarted her career in Marketing. From discussing A Levels,  to offering her best pieces of advice, keep reading to find out how you can start your journey.

Sophie’s Story

At school, I always knew I wanted to get into the creative industry. My outgoing and extrovert personality pushed me to study Media as I always enjoyed working in groups and being part of a project, which required thinking creatively and being hands-on. I also had a passion for reading and writing which is why I chose to study English at A Levels. Alongside Media and English, I chose Psychology as I was intrigued to understand how and why humans think in a particular way, a crucial element of Marketing.

School subjects which lead to Marketing

All these subjects meant I gained skills which were valuable and essential for anyone in Marketing. It didn’t take long to realise that Marketing is a very broad term. From traditional marketing which focuses solely on the product, to now entering a more digitally advanced era of modern marketing which is more focused on the consumers demands and needs, marketing was expanding, and I began to feel that what I did in my spare time (scrolling endlessly on social media) could actually be a job!

Day to day roles in Marketing

Now, I am responsible for creating engaging content for the Pathway CTM social media channels, writing exciting email campaigns  and blog posts,  analysing and reporting on data for internal and external use, as well as supporting the design and creation of the website.

Before University, I had heard lots about the opportunities studying Marketing could lead to, however I was still hesitant as to whether University was the right choice for me. I enjoyed being hands on and was worried that studying Marketing would mean learning only theory. So before jumping into another 4 years of studying after my A Levels, I decided to fulfil my travel desires and worked as Cabin Crew for British Airways where I learnt valuable skills which have helped me to this day. 

Fast-forward to 4 years later and I am now a Graduate in Marketing Communications with Advertising and have experience working with some global top brands including Asahi Super Dry, Allianz, Beefeater Gin and Lidl. Whilst gaining a qualification in Marketing opened many doors, there is no doubt that my work experience has helped me get to where I am today. 

During University I learnt a variety of practical skills such as pitching creative ideas, calculating marketing budgets and planning marketing campaigns. Then, by doing work experience and placements, I was able to apply my new knowledge to the industry and see how it all fits together.

From working in TV Production, to Insurance, and Education, the different sectors required different types of Marketing since they were all aimed at different target audiences. However, it shows that the opportunities are endless as every single company and brand requires a team of Marketers and Digital Creatives to support the business.

3 top tips for anyone wanting to break into the Marketing industry!

NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK

Whether this be through attending events, connecting on LinkedIn with people in the industry, or actually taking part in work experience, networking will help you get your name out and expose you to the reality of marketing. 

BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO

Don’t worry if you haven’t managed to gain any work experience just yet, you can still showcase your skills by doing mock designs/draft ideas for your favourite brands and create a online portfolio to store them. Remember, a job is not a job unless you love it. So, if you’re into fashion, or technology, why not look into their marketing and suggest new innovative ideas to them which could help you get your foot in the door! 

ONLINE COURSES AND EVENTS

Luckily, there are plenty of FREE online courses which you can do to give you a taste of marketing and gain all the professional knowledge and skills you need as a marketer. Since almost all of them are online, you can do this in your spare time and from the comfort of your own home. If you have a particular interest in one particular area of marketing, do your research and complete online courses to gain certificates and qualifications to help highlight your specialities within the industry. More so, attending virtual online events with employers is a great way to learn more about their business and gain insight into what the company is specifically looking for from a candidate. 

If you are interested in a digital career, or want to learn more about Marketing, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn!