Niall has graduated with a CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing (Level 4). He works for timber manufacturing and forestry company BSW Timber as their Marketing Executive.
Why did you choose to study this qualification?
I’m always looking for new ways to grow, and when the opportunity came up at BSW to study with nesma, I jumped at it. As I moved into marketing from a PR and events background, I wanted to give myself the confidence, and technical know-how to be more engaged in the planning aspects of marketing, play a more active role in the department and gain a formal qualification in the process.
What did you discover about yourself in the process?
That often, you already know more than you think you do, and it just takes the right tutor, book, or piece of information to help draw that knowledge out.
And what has been the impact on your career so far?
My line managers have already seen an improvement. I have more responsibility and the chance to become more involved in the planning of campaigns. My employers were so impressed with how I had come on during the process that I was put forward for an internal company award.
What did you enjoy most about studying with us?
I enjoyed the sense of camaraderie between the whole class and amongst the tutors; they cared about helping you grow and learn. Despite studying almost entirely virtually, there was a real sense that we were all in this together, which was great and exactly what I needed during the pandemic. I also enjoyed the structure; there were points during my studies that I was on furlough, and having a framework with end goals to work towards really helped keep me motivated.
What type of things do you do differently now?
The most significant change aside from an increase in confidence is that I never feel like I don’t know what I’m doing or unsure of something. Previously, marketing jargon or acronyms would get banded about, and I wouldn’t be entirely sure of what it exactly meant. I now have a good grasp of all marketing terminology and know how to apply it to benefit the team. I now understand why, as marketers, we do the things we do, and I’m no longer waiting for someone to delegate tasks. I’m actively involved in planning the department’s campaigns process, and that’s an incredibly liberating feeling.
What words of advice would you give anyone considering a career in marketing?
Don’t be afraid of asking for help – it’s easy to sit back and think that you’re doing an OK job, but if you have the chance to learn and grow, take it. As human beings, we’re all marketed to every day of our lives and studying with nesma helped me understand the processes behind what you see every day and how to implement it into your work.
What are the significant changes within your industry?
The pandemic has forced a significant shift amongst the traditional builders’ merchant industry. Many traditional, entirely offline businesses have moved online, which has accelerated our customers needing digital marketing support to survive and thrive in the new normal.
What do you enjoy most when you aren’t doing the day job?
I love to travel in more normal times, but recently I’ve been embracing the area I live in and getting out into the Lake District at every opportunity. The rest of the time, you can either find me in the gym (government permitting) or on the American football field – as a Running Back for Carlisle’s American Football team.
A CIM qualification provides marketers with the skillset to think strategically and understand the complete picture of marketing. The CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing is perfect for aspiring professional marketers who wish to gain knowledge and skills to progress their career in marketing.
