Amber is the Marketing Manager at Properties Unique, which offers luxury serviced accommodation in the North East of England. She has just graduated with the CIM Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing as part of her personal development plan.
Why did you choose this CIM qualification?
Marketing was not a career I had thought about before, but it was always something I have been interested in. When I had the opportunity to move into the Marketing department at my previous job, it was an opportunity I could not refuse. I did know some of the basics of Marketing, but I felt it was important that I learnt the theory to put it into practice and have the knowledge to enable me to progress in my career path.
What have you discovered about yourself in the process?
After finishing my degree in 2015 and not studying for a long time, I was nervous and did not believe that I was capable of studying again. I quickly realised that I was very determined and motivated, and I put in a lot of hard work, which resulted in gaining a merit. I was made redundant from my previous job, and achieving the qualification provided me with something to focus on. And it gave me the courage to search for a new job in a very tough competitive market.
Has studying with nesma helped you in your career?
nesma has enabled me to put into practice what I have learnt over the last 18 months. Lucy and the team were there every step of the way, I never felt like I was alone, and I was able to ask any questions, however trivial. Everyone was always there to help, and I have made some great connections and friends along the way.
What did you enjoy most about studying?
I looked forward to my weekly online tutorial sessions, primarily through the hard times of lockdown. I was so pleased that the course continued online after starting my first module in the classroom. It was amazing to learn about all the different industries that the rest of my classmates were in and gain extensive knowledge from everyone. I found the tutors to be so helpful, and they enabled me to see different perspectives from my company; I could not have completed the course without them.
What type of things will you do differently now?
My results have enabled me to put procedures in place that the company did not have previously. It has been very beneficial to learn the different aspects of digital marketing to put these into practice as we were significantly behind in the “digital world”. I have already rebranded the company and worked with an external agency to bring the systems into the 21 st century.
What words of advice would you give anyone considering a career in marketing/PR?
Take every opportunity you can, and don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. The feeling you have when all the hard work pays off is worth it. I wish I had thought earlier about a career in marketing and taken up the CIM qualification sooner.
What are the significant changes within your industry at present?
The pandemic has changed my industry in many ways, and one is that “staycations” have suddenly taken off. Therefore, it has been essential to rebrand the company to maintain competitiveness and take advantage of our online digital platforms.
What do you enjoy most when you aren’t doing the day job?
I love to stay fit and active, I recently took up a love for running and took part in the Great North Run in 2019, which was a fantastic experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking about doing it. I am also a keen golfer, although work takes up a lot of my time and I do not play as much as I’d like to. I also have a National Trust membership and love to explore the different gardens and properties with my dog. I enjoy reading and keeping up to date with the ever-changing marketing industry trends.
The CIM Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing is aimed at aspiring professional digital marketers who are looking to gain knowledge and skills to progress within a career in marketing. You will gain the knowledge, skills and understanding to support decision making within a digital context at an operational level.
