This is part two in a series of posts called ‘Letters to a Marketing Student’. (Part 1)
The ‘College Bubble’ is this: Class, sleep, study, party, eat, repeat. It’s accepting the lie that four years of university incubation is necessary before applying your craft in the real world. This school year, challenge yourself to step outside the College Bubble and actually do marketing, lead a team, start something valuable.
Remember, your degree is a commodity (albeit, necessary and valuable). Now is the time to differentiate yourself from your peers with relevant, real world experience and avoid heaps of frustration on graduation day.
How can you step outside bubble?
- Approach small businesses in the community and offer to be their marketing department for the year
- Approach large businesses and offer to work pro bono in their marketing department
- Volunteer with a local charity to help launch their next big event
- Lead a new initiative at your church
- Coach a community sports team
Unfortunately, your likely graduating at a time when differentiation matters more than ever before. According to ABC, as of May 2009 only 19% of college graduates had landed a job.
Skeptical? Next time your sitting in class, look around the room and ask yourself an honest question: If an employer walked into the room right now, looking to hire the best candidate for an amazing marketing job, is there any reason why she’d hire you? Would your credentials even remotely stand out? (Hint: She wouldn’t be looking at transcripts)
As a bonus, stepping out of the College Bubble will make your studies come alive. It will fuel debate in class, spark skepticism of textboook readings and inject passion into projects.
Don’t wait. Start today.
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This is some very sound advice. Whenever I look at resmués, the first thing I look for are the 'extras' that demonstrate passion and enthusiasm – evidence that the candidate really cares about marketing.
I look for clear indications that the candidate sees this as a career, not just a job – that they're actively involved in it beyond the degree and the 9-5, and that they actively apply their skills outside the classroom or the office.
There are many ways to do this. Blogging is an easy start. Getting involved in simple freelance tasks for student associations and small businesses is another.
People who use their skills to help charities always get my attention, because they're putting their skills to use for the benefit of others. It's a great way to demonstrate that you've got something worthwhile to offer, and that you're willing to get involved. That's worth way more than the best marks in the class.
This is a really useful series Matt – thanks for taking the time to put it all together! I'm not sure if you've seen it already, but I shared a few (much shorter) tips for graduates a couple of months back – post is here: http://eskimon.wordpress.com/2009/06/10/gradual...
Simon – Thanks a lot for the kind words.
I think you raise a great point in your post…working for free, interning, volunteering ect. also gives you opportunity to find out the kinds of things you love doing. Saves a lot of time and frustration in the early days of your career.
Simon – Thanks a lot for the kind words.
I think you raise a great point in your post…working for free, interning, volunteering ect. also gives you opportunity to find out the kinds of things you love doing. Saves a lot of time and frustration in the early days of your career.
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