This month, Whyy? Change’s Head of CIM Programmes, Laura Stead, a CIM Fellow, Freelancer and Chartered Marketer shares the secrets to thriving in the marketing industry and her five top tips that will set you on the path to success.
Let’s dive into the realm of marketing and discover how the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and marketing apprenticeships can propel you towards a successful marketing career.
Where can a marketing qualification take you?
A marketing qualification can open various career paths and opportunities. The qualifications are versatile and will help you to develop skills that will stand you in good stead in many different roles.
Marketing professions are vast, some marketers choose to remain generalist marketers and others decide to niche in specialist areas. There’s no right or wrong way.
If you have a marketing qualification, you can typically start to progress into roles such as:
- Marketing Assistant
- Digital Marketing Executive
- Multichannel Marketer
- Digital Content Executive
- Social Media Marketing Executive
The next step is moving into marketing management, which involves developing marketing strategies, implementing marketing plans and managing resources effectively. Those in management might have a Level 6 CIM qualification or have completed a Level 6 Marketing Manager apprenticeship and hold the title of:
- Head of Marketing
- Marketing Manager
- Head of Communications
- Brand Manager
- Account Manager
- Campaign Manager
How to start a career in marketing?
Some people choose to study full or part-time for a degree in marketing, business, or communications. Others choose to gain their marketing qualifications while they’re working, which is a great way to avoid student debt.
Professional marketing qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Marketing and/or marketing apprenticeships are the best routes for this. The ideal route is to find an apprenticeship provider that includes professional CIM awards within the programme – that way you are getting the best of both.
“Remember everyone’s career path is different, and everyone moves at their own pace. There is no right or wrong way. It’s important to find your way based on how you feel and your own personal circumstances.”
Where to start? Everyone has a different starting point. In fact, some of the best marketers I know started out in totally different industries. So here are my five tips for getting into The Marketing Industry…
1. Educate yourself
An accredited marketing qualification can provide a solid foundation of knowledge. The routes to getting a marketing qualification are vast and often a little confusing, more on that later.
2. Gain experience
There’s a ‘chicken-and-egg’ conundrum here…how to get experience when you aren’t qualified? In marketing, it’s actually pretty easy. Volunteer your existing skills to a local community group, grassroots sports team or charity, they’ll benefit from your help while you gain practical experience. Helping others with their marketing can often be done remotely too – for example, offer to optimise a web page, craft some social media posts, create a video, or write a blog for them.
3. Grow your network
Networking can lead to great things – job opportunities, mentorships, and recommendations. Attend industry events and connect with marketing professionals on LinkedIn. Marketers are usually very friendly and happy to connect.
4. Stay fresh
Shape your newsfeeds so that you can stay informed about the latest marketing trends, events, and news. There are lots of industry blogs, virtual meet-ups, newsletters, LinkedIn accounts and of course Sheffield DM.
5. Get feedback and be open-minded
Encourage people to give you feedback. It’s not always comfortable but it’s a brilliant way to learn and grow. Be proactive in expanding your skill set – I used to look at job specifications that were out of my league and highlight the specific areas where I needed to develop my knowledge and skills.
Remember everyone’s career path is different, and everyone moves at their own pace. There is no right or wrong way. It’s important to find your way based on how you feel and your own personal circumstances.
“Marketing professions are vast, some marketers choose to remain generalist marketers and others decide to niche in specialist areas. There’s no right or wrong way.”
What is the CIM?
The Chartered Institute of Marketing is the world’s largest community of marketers that supports, represents, and develops marketers, teams, leaders and the marketing profession as a whole. Their accredited qualifications are highly sought after by employers, with over 30,000 members worldwide.
What is a marketing apprenticeship?
It’s a way to gain your marketing qualifications while you’re in employment. An apprenticeship enables you to develop your knowledge, skills, and practical experience. If you successfully complete Level 3, 4 or 6 marketing apprenticeship, you will receive recognised and accredited qualifications.
What will I learn on a marketing apprenticeship?
That depends on which marketing apprenticeship you have chosen and what level. Marketing apprenticeships include all the core marketing skills, knowledge and behaviours that you would expect such as; market research, market segmentation, the marketing mix, marketing tools, digital marketing techniques, metrics and analysis, campaign planning, budgeting, and more.
Whyy? Change’s apprentice ships include CIM awards, hands-on training, mentorship, and the chance to build a strong professional network.
For more information, visit www.whyychange.com or call the Whyy? Change team on 0114 400 0077 for a chat.
