Marketing executive apprenticeships - where to start
You can get into this job through
a university coursean apprenticeshipworking towards this roleapplying directlyspecialist courses run by professional bodies
University
Employers recruit from a range of subjects. Relevant courses include a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in:
- marketing
- communications
- advertising
- business and management
- psychology
- humanities
It may be possible to study The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualifications alongside your degree through the Graduate Gateway programme. You'll usually need 1 or 2 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma. You'll need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent, for a degree.Apprenticeship
You can get into this role through a marketing assistant Level 3 apprenticeship, or higher apprenticeship as a marketing executive. You'll usually need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for a Level 3 apprenticeship. You'll need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A-Levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship.
Work
You could join a company's marketing department as an administrator or assistant. This could give you enough experience to work your way up to become a marketing executive.
Volunteering
You could get good, basic experience and marketing skills by volunteering for a charity and helping with their social media and events communications.
Direct Application
You can apply directly to employers if you've got business and marketing skills. You may get these through jobs like sales, customer service or public relations work. Some employers may ask for a degree qualification though it's not always essential.
Other Routes
You can do professional qualifications offered by The Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Institute of Data and Marketing, which may help your job prospects.
You can also get a communications qualification from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
These qualifications are not essential but they may give you an advantage when applying for jobs. You can also complete qualifications like these while working to help you get ahead in your career.
Professional and industry bodies
You can join The Chartered Institute of Marketing and the The Institute of Data and Marketing to do professional qualifications and to make industry contacts.
Marketing executive apprenticeships - what it takes
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
- knowledge of English language
- the ability to use your initiative
- leadership skills
- maths knowledge
- knowledge of media production and communication
- customer service skills
- business management skills
- ambition and a desire to succeed
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Marketing executive apprenticeships - what you'll do
Day-to-day tasks
In your day-to-day tasks you may:
- research customer thoughts and feelings and market trends to inform campaigns
- develop working relationships with clients
- write and edit content for print
- understand brand guidelines and check they are followed
- organise and promote events
- manage marketing budgets
- manage campaign content for social media and websites
- analyse data to plan and evaluate marketing campaigns
Working environment
You could work in an office or at a client's business.
Career path and progression - Marketing executive apprenticeships
With experience, you could become a marketing manager.
You can use the skills you develop as a marketing executive to move into digital marketing, if you're interested in that career.
You could also become a freelance marketing consultant, or work in advertising, sales or public relations and communications.