Careers - Working in marketing
In another of our careers interviews, The LINC spoke to WLCT Marketing & Communications Officer, Jen Cockram about what marketing involves, what the best bits of her job are and how to get into working in marketing.
What is your job title?
I’m a marketing and communications officer.
How long have you been doing this job?
5 years.
What does your daily routine entail at work?
My job is about promoting services and activities to the public. I do this using creative ideas and use lots of different methods from arranging printed materials, to supporting events, to taking out press ads in brochures.
My day usually starts with checking my emails to find out what the latest activities are that need promoting and arranging meetings with staff to find out more. After that a typical day really depends on the time of year as there are different events and activities going on throughout the year that need promoting.
A lot of my work involves planning ahead, I have to be quite methodical to make sure I meet deadlines and a lot of time is spent communicating with people running activities and then with designers and printers, either in person or on the phone.
Another part of my job is proof reading the designs of things I’ve ordered, to make sure it reads well, to make sure the spelling and grammar is all correct, and to make sure that the company’s brand is used correctly and that we are portrayed in a positive light.
What would you say are the best bits about your job?
Getting to use my creative side by coming up with new ideas for promotions. I also like working with other creative people, such as graphic designers, and I love it when we get designs back that are just how I wanted them to be and are fun and exciting.
What would you say are the worst things?
Probably having to manage a budget, making the budget last all through the year and trying to come up with new and exciting things on a small budget!
For how long have you wanted to do your job?
It hasn’t always been my ambition as I’ve worked in several different jobs. I did study marketing a little bit when I did a Business Studies qualification and I really enjoyed it, but at the time I didn’t think that was what I wanted to do next.
What other careers did you consider before deciding on this one?
I’ve done lots of different things from being an accounts clerk, administration work, fabric testing for big high street companies like Topshop, and procurement (which means buying things for companies and making sure you get the best deals). So it definitely wasn’t a direct route to this job! Although parts of the other jobs have come in useful, especially the procurement work, as a lot of this job is about trying to get the best deals with the budget I’ve got.
What qualifications do you need to do your job?
Generally to get a job in marketing you need either a degree with some element of marketing in it, or you need a marketing diploma, which is the equivalent of a degree level qualification.
What other skills do you think are useful to your job?
Communication skills definitely, both writing and talking, and you also need to be able to get on well with other people, be a good planner and be organised with your time.
Would you recommend this job to others?
Yes, if you’re someone who is looking for variety and creativity in your job, marketing could be for you.
Roughly what sort of salary can someone in your position expect to earn?
A starting salary for a marketing officer averages at around £16K. But when you’ve got some experience you can expect to earn a little more. After that it depends what company you are working for, if you manage staff and where you’re based. Some marketing and communications officers, at a senior level, in cities for example, can earn up to and above £60K.
Could you give any further advice to young people about careers in general?
Choose something that you have some kind of passion for. If you have an interest in a job you will find you want to learn more about it, so it will be easier to progress. There is no point doing a job you hate doing.