Question

Topic: Student Questions

Marketing As A New Career

Posted by Anonymous on 5/29/2008 at 5:49 PM ET 250 Points
I am currently employed in a company as a Department Head in Operations (I over see all aspects of food & beverage operations). I have found a real passion for marketing and PR and find myself wanting to do this full-time. I am finishing up an MBA with a Marketing concentration and have many years experience in hospitality doing some marketing and a lot of customer service. What would be the best next move: work freelance on the side and get a little experience, or to jump head first into the marketing world knowing that I have little "hard" experience, but plenty of "soft" experience
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by melissa.paulik on 5/29/2008 at 5:56 PM Accepted
    Unless you have a significant track record of on the job results in marketing even though your role was operations, I think you will lack the credibility needed for freelance work.

    I would try to find a role within a company that allows you to establish some experience. Maybe you could even find one within the company you currently work for. Focus on results that will allow you to build a track record quickly. If you end up managing others in marketing, focus on team results.

    To me, it's not how long you've been in marketing or even what degrees you have. What you've accomplished speaks the loudest.

    Good luck to you!

    Melissa
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 5/30/2008 at 8:53 AM Accepted
    It depends on your goals. Working for someone is great because you learn while being paid. Working for yourself is great because you learn what it takes to present yourself, find your market, and are in control of your projects.

    Ideally, your existing position in the company will allow you to move within the organization - keeping your earned perquisites and contacts but applying your newly learned skills to your existing company knowledge.
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