Name: Hannah
Degree: Business Studies, 2.1, Sheffield Hallam University
Other qualifications: Chartered Institute of Marketing certificate
Current job: Marketing Executive with a container-supply company

1. What does your current job involve? Describe a typical day at work.

My main role is to promote the various company brands at trade shows and exhibitions throughout the year. This involves working on creating a theme for the event that will work with other shows and tie in with other marketing materials throughout the year, and planning and organising products, literature, graphics, etc for the event.

We also have a retail business and I work on producing the annual retail mail-order catalogue. This includes product selection, creative concepts, and planning and producing the catalogue from start to finish.

2. What other jobs have you had since graduating (including any others with your current employer)?

Before moving to my current role I worked in several temping roles. I also did a placement year during university at a mail-order catalogue company. This is my first marketing role.

3. What do you like most about your current job?

Working on a campaign from start to finish. When you are stood at an event and everyone says it looks great you get a real sense of achievement. And relief that it is over for another year.

4. What do you like least about your current job?

Sometime the demands placed on you by the sales team can be very frustrating – they want it all and they want it now.

Also there are a number of people who need to proofread your work before it can go to print. This can be very time-consuming when you are up against a deadline.

5. What are the most important skills required to do your job?

Good communication skills – both face to face and written. We work very closely with two marketing agencies on different campaigns throughout the year and also have to interact face to face with customers at trade events.

Also, working to tight deadlines with events and brochures going to print, good time-keeping and organisational skills are key.

6. What made you choose this career path?

I have wanted to work in marketing since I was at school. It gives you a chance to be creative in your role.

7. What did you want to be when you were 12?

A professional skier.

8. What is your long-term career goal?

I want to continue working in marketing, progressing my way up the ladder.

9. What’s the worst job you’ve ever had?

Probably temping when I first left university. The job was boring and tedious. Every day was like Groundhog day, with set tasks that had to be done at a certain time, every day.

Thankfully though, once those tasks were done there was not much else to do so I had lots of time to job hunt (catch up with my friends) while getting paid for it.

10. What one tip would you give to someone currently at university wanting to pursue the same sort of career as you?

Getting into marketing is very competitive and sometimes they tend to offer low starting salaries, but just keep going and applying for as many roles as possible.

Try to avoid dodgy companies who say ‘are you looking to own your own business within two years?’ This is basically a door-to-door sales role disguised as a marketing role. I know a number of marketing graduates who have been duped into going for interviews with companies like these.