Question

Topic: Career/Training

Accountant Wants To Switch To Marketing..any Tips?

Posted by Anonymous on 6/20/2010 at 1:36 PM ET 125 Points
Hi,

I'm 26 and fairly deep into my Accounting career. However, I've always wanted to get into Marketing; even thought about changing my major in college.

Right now, I'm interning at an upstart restaurant chain and doing every little marketing job I can get my hands on. Also, I'm assisting a Band Manager with Marketing/PR for a local band. These are non paid part-time internships, and I help out after work, and on the weekends.

Eventually, I would like to start a career in Marketing (preferably on the client side). I plan to attend networking events around LA and Irvine. I was wondering if there was anymore I could be doing as I am learning as I go through experience and research.

I honestly don't know what I'd even saying approaching the experienced Marketing professionals at those events. Apart from "hi, I have virtually no experience, but I'm eager to learn" I got nothing.
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by wnelson on 6/20/2010 at 2:09 PM Accepted
    Franco,

    You implied a second question - what do I ask marketing professionals at networking events. I'll give you my thoughts on that one first. You ask marketing professionals what you want to know about their chosen career that will help you get into the field. You can ask them questions about where you should start, what kinds of courses you can take, what books to read, what you might be qualified for right now, given you background, where they would recommend you "volunteer" so that you can get pertinent marketing experience, other networking organizations where you can meet people and gain information and knowledge, and so forth. What you DON'T ask them is, "Do you have a job for me?" You don't do this overtly or covertly by being disingenuous with your questions and approach. You have to be genuine in looking for answers, not their help in getting you a job.

    How you get into the field is by researching and studying marketing - read everything you can - marketing blogs, magazines, text books, etc. Take courses at local colleges. Go to seminars and workshops. As I mentioned above, look for places you can volunteer to do marketing - charitable organizations, churches, etc. Chose ones where you can work with professionals in the marketing field and do ALL thankless little tasks no one else wants to do just so you can be there with the professionals to ask questions on the whys that they are doing what they are doing. These activities will get you a lot of experience you can put on a functional resume to demonstrate you marketing capabilities. To speed up the process, be willing to sacrifice rewards to get in at the bottom.

    I hope this helps.

    Wayde
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 6/21/2010 at 8:42 AM Accepted
    Trade mentoring. Find people/organizations doing the work you want to learn in exchange for helping with accounting issues.

    Focus on projects, not skills. Look for opportunities to help organizations/people that personally excite you, and get on board. If you can, create case studies about each of these projects. That'll become your portfolio - showing what you did, and the effectiveness of the (team's) actions.
  • Posted on 6/21/2010 at 11:28 AM Accepted
    Some useful reading: See the recommended book list for serious marketers at:

    https://www.dialoguemarketinggroup.com/booklist.htm

    Read all you can about marketing issues/topics, take advantage of online seminars, and network with folks in marketing.
  • Posted by Frank Hurtte on 6/22/2010 at 10:02 AM Accepted
    Here's my take on things. The next few years will be remembered as the time of the CFO. Almost everywhere, CFO's are growing in power, influence and in buying influence. They are inserting themselves or their surogates into the buying process at companies large and small.

    Most marketeers have very little understanding of the accounting and financial world. Use your accounting experience as the trump card.
  • Posted on 6/22/2010 at 11:31 AM Author
    Thank you everyone! I'll definitely take all of this in and apply it to the networking events I'm going to tomorrow and next Wednesday.

    I've always believed two things help build relationships in business, being genuine and knowing what you're talking about. There's nothing wrong with a little preparation and you guys certainly helped me out quite a bit. Thank you again!
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