Marketing & Media

A popular choice for graduates, especially amongst students of the arts and humanities, careers in marketing and media remain ever-popular and fiercely competitive. Nevertheless, a career in this sector will teach you plenty of meaningful skills and is a super rewarding experience. Here’s our ultimate guide.

1

What is Marketing & Media?

The marketing industry can be broken down into three main subsets: marketing, public relations (PR), advertising. Your typical marketing role is quite broad, particularly in smaller companies, and will feature a little bit of all of these – just how much depends on your job title. Jobs might also involve elements of planning, promotion, market research and media relations. The general objective of each different area of the industry is to develop and enhance public interest in a brand, organisation, person or product.

Marketing and media essentially exist at the junction of data and imagination. Creativity is important but the industry would not be able to function without essential research, planning, and strategy. Your typical person working in marketing is highly organised, energetic and has excellent communication skills. We’ll dive into the specific skills you need a little later on.

Marketing and media essentially exist at the junction of data and imagination.

2

Job Roles

In such a diverse industry as marketing and media, you can definitely expect a huge variety of job roles, all of which will require different skills. Here are the main ones you can expect to get into at graduate level:

  • Data planner
  • Media buyer
  • Public relations (PR) Officer
  • Market research analysts
  • Media planner
  • Sales executive
  • Social researcher
  • Multimedia specialist
  • Advertising account executive
  • Exhibition organiser
  • Graphic designer
  • Advertising copywriter
  • Content creator
  • Marketing executive
  • Public affairs consultant
3

Qualifications

Although you can study a specific Marketing degree and be successful in the industry, you don’t have to. Most jobs in marketing or media will take candidates from a range of different degree disciplines. Those which give you relevant transferable skills you can apply to Marketing include English Language, Maths, Computer Science, History and more.

More importantly, it’s vital to gain a wealth of relevant experience before applying to any graduate roles in marketing and media. That may sound daunting but there are a number of ways that you can achieve this through doing part-time work alongside your studies. Certain part-time jobs like retail, hospitality, childcare and street teaming provide a good taste of life in the industry and will demonstrably boost your CV if you can get your hands on them.

It’s vital to gain a wealth of relevant experience before applying to any graduate roles in marketing and media.

4

Skills you need

One thing you will need to do if you’re going to work in marketing or media is build your own personal brand. This will show a potential employer that you know how to sell the most important product of all – yourself. Check out our guide on personal branding, then get cracking on your own blog, professional social media account, side hustle or anything else you feel comfortable doing.

Marketing and media is a fast-paced industry that needs new ideas to thrive, so creativity is a must have trait. Firms love graduates who can bring a fresh approach to their work, so you’ll be sure to succeed if you’re the type to think outside the box. At the same time, it’s important to be able to look at data critically and determine a plan of action from it, so the best marketeers also have superb analytical and digital skills.

You’ll also need stellar communication and public speaking skills in order to get your ideas across, as well as being adept in negotiation and stress management in what can be quite a crowded and noisy industry.

One thing you will need to do if you’re going to work in marketing or media is build your own personal brand

5

Industry Insights

The marketing and media industry has long been a safe space for graduates. By Creative Skillset’s count more than 150,000 people work in marketing and of those, 70% are graduates. That’s not to say that there isn’t room for progression, as many do continue in the industry until they reach the directorial level, where salaries can climb to between £70,000 and £90,000.

Marketing is a dynamic sector which is constantly evolving to gel with the needs of consumers. The advancement of technology has allowed for this to happen in a more efficient, less expensive way. While offline marketing methods such as radio and print are still present, they are used in conjunction with digital marketing developments. As a result of the greater use of mobile and social media, as well as a growing digital skills gap in the UK, marketers with technology skills are favoured when breaking into the sector.

More than 150,000 people work in marketing and of those, 70% are graduates

6

Work experience

Work experience is crucial part of graduate recruitment in marketing. Many large companies and agencies put on paid work placements in the summer for students in final year, which can then lead to a graduate position if you play your cards right. Some employers also offer paid marketing internships or vacation placements to first-year students. You can also attend open days, taster experiences and short introductory courses to increase your chances of getting a foot in the door.

The most effective way to find work experience, however, is to be proactive. Make speculative applications and go networking as often as you can. Voluntary organisations sometimes also have opportunities in their marketing or PR departments. You could also work in a marketing or communications role within your students’ union, or a university club or society.

7

Pros and Cons

[table id=28 /]

Back to all guides
Guide to graduate schemes cover
Graduate Schemes

Everything you need to know about graduate schemes, including the applications, deadlines and salaries and how to get a full time job.

 8  minute read

Guide to internships cover
Internships

Debut are here to make understanding internships all the easier with our ultimate guide. It will answer all your questions – cross our hearts.

 9  minute read

Guide to placements cover
Internships

The graduate job-scape can be terrifying. But this nifty guide will help you navigate the wilderness and nab a placement at the other end.

 8  minute read

Tackling Job Applications Cover
Job Applications

Job applications are tough, especially for graduate schemes and internships. Debut are here to make them all the easier with our ultimate guide.

 10  minute read

Ultimate CV Guide Cover
Job Applications

Forget the rest. Our guide to creating a CV is the real MVP of CV creation guides. Dive in for a downloadable template and more.

 11  minute read

Ultimate Skills Guide Cover
Job Applications

Demonstrating skills in your job application is key to grabbing that elusive job offer. We tell you how to apply skills to your CV, cover letter and more.

 8  minute read

Ultimate Cover Letter Guide Cover
Job Applications

Featuring a template, step-by-step guide and checklist, this is the only guide you’ll need to write perfect cover letters.

 9  minute read

Interview cheat sheet cover
Job Interviews

Succeeding in job interviews is no mean feat. But with these tools, you’ll definitely be able to get your point across. We’re here to make sure of it.

 8  minute read

Types of interview cover
Job Interviews

Being prepared for the different types of interview you may face is essential for landing a job. Let us give you the low-down on what to expect.

 8  minute read

Common interview questions cover
Job Interviews

Does being asked why you’re a good fit a company break you out in a cold sweat? Our guide to common interview questions is here to help.

 6  minute read

Interview techniques cover
Job Interviews

Job interviews can be scary. That’s why we’ve created this nifty guide full of tips and techniques to help you nail every interview you attend.

 9  minute read

Job offers
Graduate Schemes

Receiving that job offer is the moment you’ve been waiting for, but make sure you read our guide before you sign on the dotted line.

 5  minute read

Rejection
Graduate Schemes

Getting a rejection after a applying for your dream job can knock you back. But take these steps and you will soon turn that no into a yes.

 7  minute read

Guide to unpaid internships
Internships

Unpaid internships are common across a variety of sectors - but are they legal and how can you budget for them? Here's your ultimate guide.

 5  minute read

Career planning cover
Personal Development

With your future spread out before you, how do you even begin to start career planning? These top tips will help you take those first moves.

 8  minute read

Building your personal brand cover
Personal Development

There’s only one thing you have that no other job candidate does: your brand. And this guide is here to show you exactly how to build one.

 7  minute read

Student guide to networking
Personal Development

Networking can seem like a terrifying prospect, but follow these top tips and you’ll be swapping business cards in no time at all.

 8  minute read

Freshers' guide to careers cover
Personal Development

So the time has finally come: it’s Freshers’ Week. Seven-plus days of pure freedom, and here's how to make the most of it.

 8  minute read

Personal Development

Careers fairs are a great opportunity to suss out employers and do some networking but you need an action plan. Here's one we made earlier...

 6.5  minute read

Navigating the workplace
Personal Development

Making the transition from uni life to the professional workplace can be tough, but following these tips will help you settle in.

 6.5  minute read

Personal Development

Apart from its beautiful cities and all the tea you could dream of, the UK is a hub for international students because of how much choice there is.

 9  minute read

Assessment Centres

There are lots of hoops jump through in assessment centres, but this guide will help you make it to the end without losing your head.

 6  minute read

Psychometric Tests

The unique insights psychometric assessments provide into an individual is exactly why they are being used by more employers.

 10  minute read

Sectors

Accountancy may seem like a dry subject area, but if you’re good with numbers and have a logical mind (and like dealing with money), it could be the perfect role for you.

 10  minute read

Guide to Banking & Finance
Sectors

Fancy a career in Banking & Finance? It's fast-paced and lucrative field to be in, but often stressful. Here's our guide to everything you need to know.

 4  minute read

Charity sector
Sectors

Want a job role which will enable you to give back to society? Working in the charity sector is the perfect way to put your skills to good use, whilst also helping to improve people's lives.

 9  minute read

Consultancy guide
Sectors

If you fancy a career in Consulting then you need to read this guide, including the job roles you could be doing and the skills you need.

 8  minute read

Consumer retail
Sectors

Working in Consumer and Retail could involve everything from buying and merchandising to logistics and technology - here's your guide.

 7  minute read

Defence
Sectors

Working in the Defence sector offers so many more options than simply joining the Army, Navy, RAF or Police.

 8  minute read

Guide to the Energy sector
Sectors

The energy sector is incredibly vast with multiple avenues to explore, but it's also a sector in which innovation is happening all the time.

 7  minute read

Engineering sector
Sectors

There are so many different types of engineering, from aerospace to software, and we’re here to demystify them all.

 10  minute read

Law sector
Sectors

Law is not quite as glamorous as it seems on Suits, but it’s still a fascinating and highly rewarding industry to pursue a career in. Here’s everything you need to know…

 11  minute read

Guide to Marketing & Media
Sectors

The Marketing and Media industries are some of the most popular among graduates, so here's our guide to getting ahead.

 4  minute read

Public sector
Sectors

In the Public Sector you could be doing anything from fighting fires to saving lives. Read on to find out what experience you need and the skills you should be developing…

 9  minute read

Your guide to the technology sector
Sectors

It is a multi-million pound industry which affects so many aspects of our daily lives that without it, many of us feel lost.

 8  minute read

Guide to telecommunications
Sectors

The Telecommunication industry connects people all over the world with cutting edge technology. Here's your guide to the growing sector.

 8  minute read

Guide to London
Locations

This is the ultimate guide to London to help you grapple the capital, master the tube, and become a savvy city dweller.

 8  minute read

Guide to Birmingham
Locations

Fancy moving to the UK's second biggest city? Here's out guide to everything it has to offer and why you don't want to miss out.

 6  minute read

Guide to Manchester
Locations

The land of Coronation Street, Oasis and world class football - but what more does Manchester offer? Here’s our ultimate guide to living and working in the city.

 5  minute read

Guide to Liverpool
Locations

More than just the home of scouse accents and the birthplace of The Beatles, Liverpool has so much to offer as a city for graduate living and working...

 8  minute read

Leeds
Locations

It's the fastest growing city outside London and right in the middle of God's Own Country - here's why you should consider moving to Leeds.

 6  minute read

The Careers Conversation Tile
Personal Development

Careers today are very different to what they were 30-odd years ago - and employers are looking for people with the right skills to be able to adapt for the future.

 14  minute read

Download the free app today

Debut is available to download in the iOS App Store & Google Play Store

Apple app store button Google play store button