The first big decision I made when I left school was that I wasn't going to take my place at university to study marketing. I had thought about not going to university a lot over the summer and decided that I wasn't convinced I would get a job at the end of my education, even with a degree. I worried that I would have learnt a lot of relevant theory, but not known how to apply it in an office environment and, like so many other people, I was concerned that I'd end up with a huge debt and no job.
Instead I looked for some work experience with several local companies to confirm that marketing was what I really wanted to do. I wrote letters and called a number of local organisations in my area to see if I could work unpaid for a week or two in their marketing department. I had several noes but I kept trying as I'm a firm believer that if you want something badly enough, go out of your way and you will eventually get it.
Whether you're going to university or not, I think it is so important to do some work experience in something you are considering either studying or working in. It provides you with invaluable experience and a good indication as to whether you are actually going to enjoy that particular career path.
After completing several work placements I then had to get an actual job. I contacted a number of local recruitment companies for help with my CV and to help me find a junior marketing position. I was advised to emphasise my work experience over educational achievements and to introduce my CV with a profile explaining my reasoning behind not taking the usual path to university. While some companies were reluctant to employ me because I didn't have a degree, I eventually found a job that I really wanted and who wanted me. Rather than being put off by my lack of degree, the fact that I had chosen to work full time and wanted to study for a professional qualification whilst doing so was very appealing to them, it showed initiative, drive and a willingness to continue with voluntary education.
Just because you don't go to university doesn't meant you stop studying. I decided I still wanted to study marketing whilst working so I could have the best of both worlds; the practical marketing experience and the theory. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualification is the only way in which you can become a chartered marketer — so even if I'd have gone to university, I would still have had to do this qualification. Instead, I studied whilst working, which meant I gained experience and avoided debt. The course has helped me a lot in my day to day work, I'd really recommend it to students who have just finished their A-Levels and are interested in a career in marketing.
If you have just finished your A-Levels and are not sure if university is for you, here are a few useful tips;
Gain work experience in your desired field. This will give you invaluable experience which looks great on your CV and is a good insight as to whether it is the right career path for you.
Look to see if there are any professional qualifications you could be studying for and which are well regarded by employers. This will help you stand out from the crowd and allow you to gain theory alongside the practical experience. You don't even have to take them, just be showing interviewers that you know they exist and that you'd be happy to do them part-time whilst working shows enthusiasm.
Call local organisations who you'd like to work for and see if they have any job vacancies, even if they're not advertising, because you never know what might turn up.
