Question

Topic: Career/Training

Would This Help Me In My Career?

Posted by Anonymous on 9/22/2011 at 11:07 AM ET 50 Points
I'm 24, haven't been to university but have 10 GCSE's, 3 A-levels (art and double business studies), ABC diploma in Foundation Art & Design specialising in graphic design and a CLAiT level 1 certificate. I currently work in an admin/marketing (though don't do much marketing at all) and have been working here for 5 years. I would like to start a career in pure marketing but have read that most employers prefer degrees and/or experience in marketing - neither of which I really have (in my current role I wouldn't class it as marketing experience).

I am hoping to start the CIM Introductory Certificate in Marketing next month though a home learning course to help me along the way.

Can anyone give me advice on if I would be wasting my time trying to get into marketing or are there employers out there who would take my level or qualifications? I understand that I would have to start at the bottom, but I really want to get my foot in the door and progress my career.

Is this possible?!
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 9/23/2011 at 3:36 PM Accepted
    Instead of taking more classes, why not take on a marketing project (for free) and turn this into something in your "marketing portfolio". You don't need to have an employer to start showing what you can do - start today learning what works (and doesn't) in the "real world".
  • Posted by Gary Bloomer on 9/26/2011 at 8:59 PM Accepted
    Anything is possible, all one needs to do is to get one's backside in gear, decide on a destination, and on how one will get there. Then set out.

    One step at a time and all that.

    Jay makes a good point about not thinking about yet more classes. I've never taken a marketing class in my life, (yes, you read that correctly—no Masters, no MBA, nada), yet I'm a top contributor on the Internet's leading marketing site.

    How did THAT happen? Good question. Search the site and see if you can figure out the answer.

    The GREATEST way to learn about marketing is through contribution—even if your opinions turn out to be utter bollocks to begin with.

    You're 24? If, for the next 12 months, you commit to reading, re-reading, and on taking notes on the top 12 marketing books ever written and then set about applying what you've learned, two years from now you'll know more than most MBA graduates. In fact, if you pull your finger out, it won't take you two years. You could do it in six months.

    I hope this helps.

    Gary Bloomer
    Princeton, NJ, USA
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