Alissia M.
About me
| Alissia M. | |
| English and Related Literature | |
| English | |
| Undergraduate | |
| Vanbrugh | |
| 2018 |
My employment
| Associate Marketing Manager | |
| Oxford University Press | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Advertising, marketing and PR | |
| Large business (250+ employees) | |
| 2022 |
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A day in the life of a Associate Marketing Manager in the United Kingdom
I joined the company I currently work for as a Marketing Intern, and have worked my way up. I have been given the opportunity to specialise in digital, which I expressed a passion for from the outset.
Briefly describe the organisation you work for
Oxford University Press is a department of the University of Oxford. The advancement of knowledge and learning for all is at the heart of the organisation.
What do you do?
Day to day tasks include:
- Social media strategy
- Website copywriting and editing
- Email strategy
- Campaign planning and co-ordination
- Liaising with publishers, editors and societies
- Liaising with external creatives
- Digital marketing reporting
- Identifying offline marketing opportunities (such as conferences)
Reflecting upon your past employment and education, what led you to your current career choice?
- My degree was massively useful in helping me enter this field - strong writing, communication and analytical skills are sought after.
- After my degree, I started as a Marketing Intern and have worked my way up. I have been given the opportunity to specialise in digital, which I expressed a passion for from the outset.
Is your current job sector different from what you thought you would enter when you graduated?
No. Looking back at my personal statement, I had intended to pursue a career in Marketing or Publishing when I applied for university. Once I started at York, I increasingly leaned towards Marketing, and accumulated relevant experience through volunteering opportunities.
Describe your most memorable day at work
Pitching to Gardeners’ World magazine in 2020 was an incredible opportunity.
What extracurricular activities did you undertake at university and what transferable skills did you develop through these?
I only scratched the surface with the extracurriculars on offer at York, but the most useful ones were:
- Volunteering in first year with the @Work scheme - I worked with a team of students to develop a Fashion Trends Report for a local Oxfam shop in York. This was a real insight into how to curate positive working relationships and how to hone my market research skills.
- Volunteering in third year with York Cares - our team developed and presented some interactive workshops for primary school pupils on the basics of Marketing and Retail, and we accompanied a year group on a behind-the-scenes trip to John Lewis. This cemented my interest in Marketing as a career route.
- Volunteering with ICYE-UK (who I learned about through a Global Opportunities fair at York) at the end of my first year for a month in Vienna; this was a massive opportunity for me to build on my confidence and communication skills.
- Starting the Google Digital Garage: Fundamentals of Digital Marketing course in my spare time - this is a free course and you can go at your own pace, so it's easy enough to squeeze some learning in between lectures. It's a great insight into how broad the Digital Marketing landscape is, too.
What top tips do you have for York students preparing for today’s job market and life after graduation?
1) The internet is your friend. There are so many quality marketing resources available online, and many of them are free, or have had costs significantly reduced this year.
2) Tell people what industry you're planning to go into - they may find jobs in places you aren't looking. I found the company I work for via a family member who spotted their advert in a local newspaper.
3) Make sure your applications are personalised for the job you're applying for, and make sure you address as many elements of the job description/criteria the company has requested as possible. Don't leave room for them to doubt your ability.
What topics from students are you happy to answer questions on?
Anything related to Digital Marketing! I'm also happy talking about Marketing in general - I first started as a Marketing intern, so I have worked in more traditional fields, too.
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