Question to those in Marketing

SJ_Jones

Hi,

I currently work as a Marketing Assistant, no marketing qualifications and is my first job in the industry (fell into it after being made redundant 2 years ago). I am keen to progress. My company seems less so.

I was thinking of doing a CAM Diploma in Marketing Communications..

This will set me bak about £3,000 to do part-time evening, and I am considering options of a Professional and Career Development Loan, or simply adding onto my existing persoanl loan.

However, what I want to ask is, will this qualification make ANY difference to my career prospects in Marketing, or is it a waste of time, money & effort?

Thanks for any advice...

SJ

BackOnTrack

Any course certified by Chartered Institute of Marketing will help with your career but the main thing that will help is experience. If your not a member of the CIM then it is worth joining. If nothing else the networking with other people in the field is worth a lot and working towards chartered status should probably be your goal if you want to progress in this field. Have a look at http://www.cim.co.uk/cpd/cpdandcm/cmstatus.aspx for more info.

SJ_Jones

The other point I forgot to make is that it will put me further in debt (manageable debt though, not in trouble) ... but I can't see another way to get a better paid job.

BackOnTrack

It might be best just to join the CIM first and they do some free events for their members, you could try and get your employers to pay for your membership but from what you have said this might be unlikely. The great thing about events from a professional bodies is that you can network with other people including senior people in marketing and this is your opportunity to find out what they really look for in employees so you can ask them what qualifications they actually value, it's also a great way to hear about job openings and knowing a potential manager before the interview can be very beneficial.

SJ_Jones

I get the feeling your in Marketing... any vacancies?

BackOnTrack

SJ_Jones wrote: »

I get the feeling your in Marketing... any vacancies?

I'm not actually but my wife is, I just asked her and she doesn't have any I'm afraid. But to be honest it's the same in a lot of fields networking really matters and can make a huge difference.

MsHoarder

Professional institutes will often help you find a mentor to help you in your career if you are looking to reach chartered status. Mine (in a different institute) is someone who is always willing to read a conference proposal or offer advice on courses/who to talk to about them.

Also its cheaper!