Know-How Exchange : Career/Training

After 18 years of experience in sales, account management and arts administration(recent), I would like to transition into marketing. In my current and last position I've had some marketing involvement and really enjoyed it. I like customer contact and sales and am pretty good at it, but I prefer the creativity in marketing and being able to impact revenue through a variety of methods, not just sales.

In my previous job I was also a manager, which I found I didn't care for. I really don't enjoy managing people and having to be accountable for their results. I suppose if the situation was right and there were one or two direct reports it might be okay, but I'd rather try to find something that has accountability, but allows me to only manage my own work. I do enjoy working with volunteers, however that's a different dynamic.

I'd love to get some input on possible entry points and career strategies for someone with my background and at this stage of life. I'm particularly interested in a position that would include website marketing/content mgt or ecommerce. What types of positions could I consider?

How do I position myself when I also have diverse experience? I made a few career changes in the past to positions that are very different from each other.

Here's a run down of my experience-

-3 years ad sales for local weekly paper
-3 years sales/mgt of seminars and courses for a mission driven training and development corporation
-1 year of MSW Social Work study, then realized it wasn't for me-oops! Back to sales…
-8 years of progressive promotions from Sales Rep to Manager of an in-house packaging distributor for major corporation. Also managed top accounts. Big job, grew staff from 2 to 5 people. Not complete P&L accountability, but revenue and some expense management. Marketing tasks were ad content( we only advertised with one regional industrial guide online and in print) updating brochure sheets, simple direct mail, a couple of trade shows and product update letters to database.
-1 year time off
-2 1/2 years Business Manager, Part-time- arts administration- Generalist position included grant writing, concert production, volunteer recruitment and coordination, office admin etc. Marketing related duties include website and newsletter content, simple ads, email and list serve management, simple grassroots pr. Intended to stay just a year and move on, but due to some family related circumstances I'm stayed longer.

I like the arts and would stay in it with an organization that was larger and more stable( there are quite a few where I live) though I'm open to some business environments, preferably smaller. I prefer to work in a more casual or progressive setting. I'm also interested in full time again.

I feel like I am either under qualified or overqualified for the positions I see advertised.

Does it make sense for me to consider an entry level or mkting coordinator level position in an organization where I might be able to grow? Will anyone even look at me with 18 years of experience? If I do pursue that, how do I present myself to make myself a viable candidate?

I have to say that while I have learned quite a bit with my current non profit position it was difficult to adjust to the low wage and grassroots setting ( and office admin- yuck!)after having a position of considerable responsibility and high visibility in my company. I plan on leaving at the end of the summer whether I have a job or not.

Or am I underselling myself in considering entry level or coordinator positions? When I look at marketing manager positions I know my experience is way too thin. Yet if given a chance to learn I know my instincts are good and I'd do well.

Is there any other way to break in? I'd consider a hybrid sales/marketing position as long as I knew I would be learning a lot of marketing. How does one find something like this?

Any training you would recommend? Is the AMA's Marketing Boot Camp program something that would help both on a resume and professionally? I am also learning html and Photoshop to augment my skills. It seems some marcom, non profit and coordinator positions require this. Other courses that would help?

What about volunteering to help non profits with marketing and website content to get experience?

Other suggestions for this late bloomer?

I appreciate your time and help on this.

Thanks,

C.