Are you ready to unleash your potential and embark on an exciting journey into the captivating world of marketing? Whether you’re a recent graduate or an aspiring marketing maestro, a qualification in marketing holds the key to a multitude of career possibilities.
Brought to you by our very own Head of CIM Marketing, Laura Stead FCIM, a CIM Fellow and Chartered Marketer with over 18 years of experience in strategy development, marketing planning, content marketing and communications.
In this guide, Laura will share the secrets to thriving in the marketing industry and share her 7 top tips that will set you on the path to success.
From gaining real-world experience to crafting a standout portfolio and building a network that opens doors, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into the exhilarating 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 chose to remain generalist marketers and others decide to niche in certain 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
- Marketing Executive
- Digital Marketing Coordinator
- Multichannel Marketer
- Digital Content Executive
- Social Media and Marketing Executive
- Market Research Analyst
- Sales and Business Development
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.
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…
7 top tips for getting into the marketing industry
1. Educate yourself
A marketing qualification, ideally an accredited one, can provide a solid foundation of knowledge. The routes to getting a marketing qualification are vast and often a little confusing.
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, create some social media posts, create a video, or write a blog for them.
3. Build a Portfolio
It’s never too early to create a portfolio that showcases your marketing skills and projects that you have worked on. Include examples of your work, such as writing samples or design projects. Your portfolio can also showcase your wider skillset too, such as examples of you working as a team, being organised, or using different marketing platforms.
4. Grow your network
Networking can lead to great things – job opportunities, mentorships, and recommendations. Attend industry events and connect with marketing professionals on LinkedIn. Most marketers are pretty friendly and are happy to connect.
5. 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 (we love Marketing Meet-Up), trade press (I love The Drum), newsletters (my favourite is Digital Media Trust), and LinkedIn accounts (I also love Brilliant Ads)
6. Demonstrate your passion
Show your enthusiasm for marketing and communication by highlighting any projects or initiatives you have undertaken independently.
Some people start passion projects that demonstrate their interests and creative flair. For example, creating a personal blog about a specific topic, creating a social media channel to showcase a certain theme, or voluntarily contributing to existing channels.
7. Get feedback, be open-minded and learn from everything
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 need to develop my knowledge and skills.
Marketing is an ever-evolving field, and continuous learning is essential for success.
Remember that 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.
What is the CIM?
It’s the Chartered Institute of Marketing. The world’s largest community of marketers that supports, represents, and develops marketers, teams, leaders and the marketing profession as a whole.
There are over 30,000 CIM members worldwide and more than 3,000 registered Chartered Marketers. CIM qualifications are accredited qualifications that are highly sought after by employers.
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 a marketing apprenticeship, you will receive recognised and accredited qualifications.
There are different types of marketing apprenticeships to suit different job roles. These are called frameworks. The right marketing apprenticeship framework for you is determined by your existing knowledge and experiences, and the focus and scope of your job role.
We’ll help you and your employer to select the right framework – we usually do this as a virtual meeting and we will send you an initial assessment tool too.
What will I learn on a marketing apprenticeship?
That depends on which marketing apprenticeship framework you have selected and what level. That said, 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 and implementation, budgeting, and more. All our apprenticeships include hands-on training, mentorship, and the chance to build a strong professional network.
Are apprenticeships just for school leavers?
Absolutely not. You need to be 16+ and there is no upper age limit.
Who are Whyy? Change?
Whyy? is a leading independent training provider that offers accredited training, apprenticeships, coaching and consultancy. We believe in adding value where possible, which is why all our apprenticeships include additional industry-recognised qualifications – such as the CIM awards.
Whyy? is based at New York Stadium in Rotherham and our delivery is primarily face-to-face at our lovely training facility.
You will be taught by a team of highly-experienced marketers and you’ll hear from a range of specialist keynote speakers too.
Knowledge sessions are interactive, thought-provoking and packed with real-life case studies. They are a safe space for you to explore new marketing topics, strengthen your knowledge base and work with your peers to find solutions.
How can Whyy? Change help?
Whyy? Change is here to help give you the knowledge, skills and confidence to excel in your job role through professional qualifications and apprenticeship training.
As an accredited Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) training centre, you will have the opportunity to gain industry-recognised CIM qualifications through our funded marketing apprenticeships.
If you’re ready to take your marketing career to new heights, we’re here to help guide you on your journey. Get in touch to discover which of our Level 3, Level 4 and Level 6 marketing apprenticeship courses align with your business goals and experiences. Enquire today and set your marketing aspirations into motion!
