How I became a digital marketer at 21 | No experience, no network

Summary

In this inspiring journey, the speaker reflects on their career transformation from a toxic job in 2016 to finding their passion in digital marketing. After facing rejection and setbacks, they proactively pursued practical experience, landing a marketing internship that eventually led to a full-time role. Over the years, they progressed from a marketing specialist to leading a digital marketing unit. Now, working remotely and helping others through consultations, the speaker shares valuable lessons on perseverance, continual learning, and aligning work with business goals to advance in one's career. Their story encourages others to follow their passions and take proactive steps toward their dream job.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker’s journey into digital marketing started from dissatisfaction with a toxic job, leading to a determination to find a career they would enjoy.
• 😀 At 21, they landed their first digital marketing job, which was a key milestone in their career progression.
• 😀 Rejection after rejection led the speaker to return to their home country, but they didn’t give up and decided to pursue further education in marketing.
• 😀 They supplemented their studies by actively seeking resources like blogs and interviews from marketing leaders, which provided practical insights into the field.
• 😀 In 2016, they started a Master’s degree in marketing but prioritized gaining hands-on experience through internships.
• 😀 The speaker took a proactive approach by contacting companies directly, even cold-emailing CEOs, which led to their first internship offer.
• 😀 Persistence paid off: despite initial setbacks, they were offered a six-month unpaid internship, where they worked tirelessly to gain practical experience.
• 😀 Going above and beyond in their work, they consistently linked marketing efforts to tangible company outcomes like revenue, which helped them gain recognition.
• 😀 Continuous learning was crucial—taking courses, reading articles, and sharing new knowledge with colleagues helped them establish themselves as a valuable team member.
• 😀 The speaker’s dedication and strategic mindset led to promotions and leadership roles, eventually managing a digital marketing unit.
• 😀 Now working at a B2B marketing agency, the speaker values the diversity of clients and the constant learning opportunities, reflecting on their growth from in-house marketing to a customer-facing role.

Q & A

What was the main challenge the speaker faced when starting their career in digital marketing?

The main challenge was working in a toxic environment and in a job that the speaker hated, where they were doing tasks they did not enjoy, such as sales and cold calling.

How did the speaker decide to change their career path?

After a conversation with their mom, the speaker decided to prove to themselves that they could land a job they enjoyed. This motivated them to pursue a career in digital marketing.

What steps did the speaker take to break into digital marketing?

The speaker applied for a master's degree in marketing, actively searched for an internship, studied resources like blogs and articles, and reached out directly to companies for opportunities.

What were some of the key resources the speaker used to learn about digital marketing?

The speaker used blogs and websites such as SEMrush, Moz, Ahrefs, and Martech, which helped them understand content marketing, SEO, and overall marketing trends.

How did the speaker approach finding their first internship?

The speaker took a proactive approach by reaching out to companies directly, calling them, and even emailing the CEO. They also proposed doing a test assignment to prove their skills.

What did the speaker learn from their internship experience?

The speaker learned the importance of persistence and proactive behavior. Despite initially not receiving a response, they continued reaching out and eventually secured the internship.

How did the speaker's performance at the internship help them progress in their career?

The speaker worked hard during the internship, putting in extra effort and consistently performing well. This eventually led to a full-time job offer from the company.

What key strategies did the speaker use to advance their career in digital marketing?

The speaker focused on going the extra mile with every task, linking projects to the company’s revenue goals, educating colleagues and managers, and always staying up-to-date with marketing trends.

What role did education and continuous learning play in the speaker's career development?

Education, both formal (master's degree) and informal (self-study through blogs and courses), played a critical role. Continuous learning helped the speaker stay ahead of industry trends and become a valuable team member.

What advice does the speaker give to others looking to transition into digital marketing?

The speaker advises being proactive, seeking internships or work experience as soon as possible, and staying persistent. They also emphasize the importance of linking marketing efforts to business results and continuously learning.