M&S …..Marketing & Success for Connie

Writes Emma Wright

DPP_0009 Connie B

Connie Brodribb, one of our successful 2013 alumni, recently landed a graduate job working in retail marketing for high street giant Marks and Spencer.

 

Connie worked for M&S before she left for a work experience trip to Uganda (see blog Feb 2014) but that was only a temporary position to help raise funds for her trip. However, she made some really good contacts within her team and they asked her to give them a call when she got back – proof that making important contacts can be the difference between landing your ideal job and not!

The role that she currently has is, she says, a step up from her previous one.

Connie’s work tasks can be completely different one day to the next. However, this is something that Connie enjoys. Some days she will be glued to her desk trying to whip up a presentation that will be presented to senior members of the company. In complete contrast for example, Connie was recently sent running around Oxford Circus picking up last minute items from Marks and Spencer’s flagship store for their Vogue shoot. Other days, Connie will be back in meetings.

One of her current projects involves leading the Christmas 2014 campaign (the biggest campaign M&S do every year) with her manager which she is finding very exciting.

Connie gave some very helpful advice for others who are hoping to work in a similar industry:

‘Be confident, but not arrogant. Have your end goal in sight at all times (although be prepared to deviate away from your plan at times, as life has this wonderful habit of getting in the way!) Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, that’s how most people learn, and always be yourself.

‘Qualifications and experience are important but they are not the pinnacle of everything. I always believe that if you want a job, you’ll get one. If you want to go somewhere, you’ll go there. Perseverance and commitment is key’.

Working for M&S and in retail marketing was always in Connie’s plans and she believes it will really help her to build up experience for her career portfolio.

 

Finding that first job, Sophie Hanson has made it!

Making the transition from being a student to a fully fledged graduate, and worse, job hunter, is scary and uncertain. I’m unsure whether anything can prepare you for the difficult realisation when you have your first, second, third, tenth, eleventh and twelfth job applications are rejected. However, it does get better.  Continue reading

Lincoln graduates David Clare and Janey Spratt get creative

Lincoln Alumni members, David Clare (graduated 2010) and Janey Spratt (graduated 2011) both now work at the international digital PR agency, 33 Digital, which is part of the Hotwire Group. Known for creative campaigns and bringing social media to the real world, they get to work on some exciting activity on a weekly basis.

Take a look at the video below and get in touch with David or Janey for any more information or tips on how to do this kind of campaign yourselves.


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Katy Shinton – celebrity lifestyle!

Beach Hut Festival - Skegness, Katy and unsuspecting holiday maker!

PR and Journalism unavoidably come hand in hand within most industries. I found this out during my first graduate job working as an Events manager. At the time I was dealing with both local and national media. My journalism knowledge helped me target the right people, and my PR skills helped shape the right impression and message we were trying to put out. Both sets of knowledge complemented one another to achieve a festival spread over 3 miles, and in excess of 20,000 visitors over the weekend! I was even interviewed for the local BBC radio by my journalism classmate! Continue reading

Jessica Hodkinson

I have spent two years in digital agencies, specialising in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Social Media and Online PR. I was recently appointed Online/Offline PR and Marketing Executive for e-commerce designer footwear and handbags retailer, Daniel Footwear. I run a PR blog and welcome guest posts from PR, Advertising and Marketing graduates http://prcompany.org.uk/