Advice on careers for someone from a marketing background?
Hi everyone, I wanted to make this topic as a way for me to collect ideas on what's out there for someone from my background and what's possible (except brand/product management, which I am already aware of). Currently working for a major advertising agency (top 3 globally!) for a pharma brand and am part of a team managing a mid-sized media budget (around $150mm) as a strategist/planner. My day-to-day involves a lot of budget reporting to clients, competitive analysis, deck building, managing other teams with client deliverables (usually to do with optimizations, media trafficking, reporting). I have experience with doing audience segmentation, customer insights, putting together media plans by contracting partners -- strategical work in that vein. I am strong with data, creating insights (I am heavily involved with building out competitive decks), and writing -- I am the primary lead overseeing some of the thought leadership projects we put together for the client.
I like that my part in a client's marketing strategy has measurable impact on their ROI. I like the creativity involved with building insights, coming up with comms-tasks, strategical work with understanding the right audience profiles for our client's goals, and crafting a media plan that can effectively target the right audiences in the right way.
I am hoping to find a possible (lucrative) career that will allow me to help build businesses by bringing them to the right customers. I want to be heavily involved with strategical work that has impact on a business's market share in their industry or branding. Long-term, I am looking to end up in a leadership capacity with high impact and lead a company's direction into the next chapter of their history.
I have been in my role (entry-level) for a little less than a year and am due to be promoted in a few months, which is above average in terms of progression speed. I am hoping I could use that as part of my story for my next role, somehow?
For my schooling, I went to a state school with a degree in Computer Science and a ~3.46. I did not do well in school for a number of reasons but at this point I am focusing on the future (can't undo the past). In case it is brought up, no I am not interested in becoming a software engineer (I already have a lot of perspective on careers in that realm and for now just not interested). However, the business side of tech I am completely open to.
At any rate I was hoping anyone out there could help me with identifying a career in finance that would fit or fall in line with what I am looking for? While I am still exploring on my own time, I am hoping someone knowledgeable out there in finance could help with offering second opinions, including ideas on careers that I may not be aware of within finance (or elsewhere).
If there's anyone out there who came from a similar background (marketing function or agency-side), I would especially love to hear from you and your story!
Thank you!
Hi Appley, just trying to help:
More suggestions...
I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.
bump.. if anyone has any insights or advice I would really appreciate it!
Not sure of finance, but taking the MBA and then shifting to consulting, strategic management roles seem promising.
Another route is the chief of staff route and then transcend into a top management role.
As for finance, another area you may explore in finance atleast is investor relations, at bigger funds I have heard the comp to WLB is quite decent, but this is anecdotal evidence.
thank you for your response!
I have considered an MBA in the past but I will try to refrain from it at the moment because my network within the strategic management consultancy world is next to none. I've spoken to someone in the past who is far more senior than me in a media role who attempted to do the same thing to pivot into consulting and she failed to make the transition primarily because of a lack of network. I have ready very similar experiences on WSO as well -- MBAs are not effective unless there is an already existing network to make use of.
at the same time, I also want to aim for a top 10 MBA if I do decide to go for it, which I don't think I would really stand a chance at the moment (nor do I have the money).
investor relations & staffing sounded interesting and I've taken a look into them. hopefully I'll be able to find something out there!
You could potentially aim for Bain. Either general consulting or to the digital marketing arm, called FRWD. They do a lot of interesting work. McKinsey and BCG also offer great opportunities, but I'm not sure whether they have marketing-oriented subdivisions (outside of their normal marketing practices).
thank you for your response!
I did take a look at FRWD. from what I understand, it's a different spin on agency-side projects and responsibilities? definitely interesting to see at a strategic management consultancy, and I'll keep it in mind. for now, it would be interesting to try a new role for me altogether.
how likely do you think it would be for me to get an interview for general consulting or FRWD? I imagine I would be staffed primarily with media clients.
brief update on my situation:
I've decided that it's time for me to start actively shopping around for a new role. I've officially learned everything I can in my current level within my team and if I wanted new impactful responsibilities, I would have to be promoted multiple levels (promotions takes forever and I'm uncertain if there's enough work for me to do anything impactful anyways). there is just so much red tape within my team that is preventing me from growing and learning new tools or skills or knowledge. at this point, I'm starting to feel anxious that I am stagnating in my career. I know the importance of laying down a strong foundation early career so this point has made me anxious.
I don't know if it's the general atmosphere of world events, the weather and season, or my current situation getting to me. but I just feel helpless. I was only able to get my current job through complete stroke of luck from someone in my network and I am grateful for it but I am starting to feel the self-sabotage creep up. maybe I am having a quarter life crisis. I don't know.
I still am entertaining the possibility of returning for a second undergraduate to pivot into a Master's in order to make myself more competitive for a PhD. I don't think this is the smartest way of changing careers but that's all I seem to know how to do. but if I were to do this, I don't plan on doing it for many years down the line.
I just wish there was something out there for me. the impending hiring freezes happening nation wide is really making me nervous too.
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