by Roberts | Feb 12, 2025 | Marketing Mentor
National Apprenticeship Week is here, and rather than just celebrating, we want to shine a light on real-life experiences.
Meet Emily! Emily was once fresh out of school, jumping into her first apprenticeship role and navigating all the challenges that came with it. Today she discusses the start of her marketing career:
Question: What was it like leaving school and stepping into the working world?
Emily: “Leaving school and stepping into my first job was definitely daunting. There’s a lot of pressure to know exactly what you want to do, and the stigma that comes with not going to university made it even harder for me to navigate my options. I knew that I still wanted to learn but didn’t think the classroom structure would be right for me. I was ready to learn from others and gain hands-on experience. In marketing, that experience can be hard to come by in the early stages. Being creative and wanting to explore this further, marketing and graphic design really appealed to me, so I looked for apprenticeship companies that specialised in this area.”
Leaving school in 2020, Emily faced the added uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. With businesses struggling to take on apprentices, she was fortunate to have the team at EMA Training guide her into her first apprenticeship role.
Question: How did COVID impact your transition into an apprenticeship?
Emily: “Everything felt uncertain, and finding an apprenticeship at a time when businesses were struggling was tough. I was lucky to have the guidance and help from the team at EMA Training, but that still didn’t mean everything was plain sailing for me. It helped that EMA had fostered links with a wide selection of companies that could still operate under the COVID circumstances, but it did mean that I was going into a role as the only marketing person. I joined an estate agency, but this brought challenges as people were not moving house at that time. We were still operating, however, and had to rely on marketing to keep people aware of the business.”
Starting her first role as the sole marketing person, she was excited but also overwhelmed with so many questions. As an apprentice, you are learning on the job, but when there is no other marketer in the business, that knowledge is hard to find.
Question: What were the biggest challenges in your first marketing role?
Emily: “I was nervous to ask questions because I lacked confidence in what I had to say—I also didn’t want to sound stupid. I had to learn as I went in my day-to-day job, and sometimes, it felt like I was just winging it. It would have been great to bounce ideas off someone within the company. This is where the college days were vital for me, as I got to chat with others from all ages and at different life stages. There were moments of self-doubt, but I kept pushing forward. I found that I was good at branding and design, and as soon as my confidence grew, I was able to work on other areas of marketing, from social media to sales.”
Despite the support from her training provider, Emily found herself constantly searching for answers.
Question: Where did you turn for guidance?
Emily: “I would spend hours searching Google for the answers to my questions, but the problem was, there were a million different answers and no clear direction. I needed structured support, but I didn’t know where to find it. I wished I had a place where I could ask my questions in real time and get answers from people who has been where I was. I’m proud to be involved in the creation of The Marketing Mentor Hub and have helped to shape the tools, resources, and training to meet the challenges I faced head-on. If I can help one other marketer get the support they need, then I will be happy!”
Looking back, Emily knows that having structured support could have made a world of difference.
Question: If you could give advice to someone starting an apprenticeship, what would it be?
Emily: “I am so glad that I decided on the apprenticeship route. I have worked for three companies now, and with each job, I have been fortunate to grow my skills and learning. University wasn’t for me, but I know I made the right choice. If someone is looking for an apprenticeship, my advice would be to look for a training provider that focuses on marketing, don’t be shy, ask questions, and be curious to learn in your role. The apprenticeship route offers great opportunities to roll up your sleeves and try lots of different aspects so that you can quickly discover what you enjoy doing the most.
A place like The Marketing Mentor Hub would have been a game-changer for me. Having expert guidance, a supportive community, and resources all in one place? That would have given me the confidence to ask questions, make decisions, and grow faster. My advice is to seek out mentorship and never be afraid to ask for help.”
This Apprenticeship Week, we celebrate those taking alternative career paths and acknowledge the challenges they face. If you’re currently navigating your marketing career and need support, The Marketing Mentor Hub is here for you!
Sign up today or get in touch for more information.
by admin | Nov 1, 2024 | Marketing Mentor, Training
Looking back to the start of my career over 25 years ago, I was fresh out of university, eager but inexperienced, and quickly thrown into the world of marketing. With just a Marketing Degree in hand, I found myself responsible for running campaigns on a range of projects, all without any real-world guidance.
I was full of questions, and there was no one to answer them:
- “Is this the right way to do things?”
- “Are these results good enough?”
- “Is there a smarter, more effective approach?”
The answer I often got was, “You know marketing; just sort it.”
Hearing this was both a challenge and a huge weight on my shoulders. Without a mentor, I navigated through trial and error, learning from each stumble along the way.
But I often wondered: What if I’d had someone there to guide me?
Five years ago, I decided to step into that role myself—to become the mentor I once wished I’d had. It’s been incredibly rewarding to support other marketers as they grow, using my own experiences to help them avoid pitfalls and achieve their own potential.
Watching someone flourish with a bit of guidance is proof that with the right support, anything really is possible.
For a long time, I thought that asking for help was a sign of defeat. But the industry is shifting. Businesses now understand that investing in mentorship and fostering a supportive culture benefits everyone.
So, why does mentorship matter?
Today, I see the incredible value a mentor could have brought to my own career—offering advice, feedback, and the kind of wisdom that only comes with experience. After all, you don’t know what you don’t know.
If you’re just starting out, or if you’re working in a solitary marketing role, I can’t stress enough how impactful mentorship can be. I have a mentor myself, someone who keeps me accountable and helps me spot my blind spots.
Here are some valuable things I’ve learned—from having a mentor and being one:
- Mentors provide insights that help you navigate the marketing landscape more effectively.
- Regular interactions with a mentor can speed up your learning curve and sharpen your skills.
- Mentors often open doors to new industry connections, expanding your professional network.
- A mentor’s encouragement and understanding can be invaluable, especially in challenging times.
Could a Mentor Help Your Career?
Whether you’re starting your marketing journey or facing new challenges on your own, mentorship can be a powerful tool. If you’re wondering whether a mentor could make a difference in your career, we have the tool for you: SCOREAPP
Or sign up early to be apart of The Marketing Mentor Hub. A supportive and informative network of ambitious marketers getting together to grow, learn and excel. With resources that cover all areas of marketing, we have something for everyone.
Find out more here: https://creationzmarketing.co.uk/the-marketing-mentor-hub/
by admin | Jan 17, 2024 | Community, Marketing Mentor
Are you new to the world of marketing or feeling a bit lost? Don’t fret! We’ve got your back. Whether you’re a small business owner juggling marketing amidst your myriad of tasks or diving into a new career in marketing, Creationz Marketing is here to be more than just an agency—we’re your mentors, your guides, and your partners in success.
Our mission is clear: to empower individuals and teams with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to navigate the marketing maze. With over 24 years of experience covering all aspects of marketing, we’re excited to introduce our new Marketing Mentor Programme!
I’ve been working with Creationz Marketing for just under two years, and in that time I have learnt so much from Claire! She’s provided me with the guidance I need to increase my marketing knowledge. For anyone struggling with marketing challenges big or small, I couldn’t recommend Creationz Marketing enough. If you’re looking for supportive guidance that will help you not only to learn but succeed, then look no further.
So, how does our Marketing Mentor Programme work? Here’s a sneak peek:
Monthly One-on-One Sessions: We’ll sit down with you or your team for an hour and a half each month, either in person or online via Zoom. These sessions are all about YOU and your unique marketing journey.
Thoughtful Questions: We’ll lead you through a series of thought-provoking questions, designed to spark your creativity and strategic thinking. This process helps you gain a deeper understanding of your situation.
Crafting Your Strategy: Together, we’ll create a personalised marketing strategy with actionable tasks. It’s not just a plan; it’s a roadmap crafted specifically for your business.
Ongoing Support: We won’t leave you hanging after the session. We’re your constant support system as you put your strategy into action. Whenever you need guidance or advice, we’re just a message or call away.
A Fresh Perspective: One of the greatest benefits of having a marketing mentor is the fresh, independent viewpoint they provide. Our insights will offer new angles, innovative approaches, and a laser-focused direction for enhancing your business.
Matched to Your Style: We value the chemistry between mentor and mentee. We take the time to understand your business, your challenges, and the level of support you need to ensure a productive and harmonious mentoring relationship.
With Creationz Marketing’s Mentor Programme, you’re not just getting a mentor—you’re getting a partner dedicated to your success. Together, we’ll transform your marketing journey and unlock your business’s full potential!
Ready to embark on this exciting adventure? Contact us today, and let’s take the first step towards maximising your marketing prowess. Your journey to marketing mastery starts here!
