From student to Marketing Executive: How my MSc helped shape my career

Hi, I’m Kirsty! I’m from Dundee and will graduate with an MSc in Digital and Social Media Marketing this June. In February, I started my role as a Marketing Executive (Maternity Cover) at the R&A in St Andrews, working at the World Golf Museum. I’d love to share a bit about my Master’s journey.

Why I studied this programme at the School of Business

As an undergraduate in Popular Music, I discovered my love for digital marketing while promoting gigs and releases. When I decided to pursue a Master’s to develop my skills, the University of Dundee’s conversion course stood out to me, welcoming students from diverse academic backgrounds.

Choosing to study this programme at the School of Business was an easy choice; it was right on my doorstep and offered many interesting modules. I was excited to explore areas I wasn’t familiar with, such as Customer Experience Design and Digital Asset Management.

My studies prepared me for my current role

My studies gave me plenty of opportunities to apply marketing theories to real-world situations, particularly through strategy reports. In my Digital Marketing module, I created a client strategy report for a local business, covering search engine strategy, content development, social media strategy, and analytics. My lecturer shared this with the business founder, giving me a valuable chance to contribute in a real-world context. This hands-on experience directly relates to my new role at the R&A, where I develop marketing strategies for the World Golf Museum, R&A Shop, and The Niblick Restaurant & Bar.

I also gained experience with tools like SEMrush for keyword research and website analytics, and WordPress for website creation. The course included group projects as well, further developing my teamwork and practical skills.

A highlight was my eight-week remote internship with Graceful Lifestyle Management, a Taiwanese company, through the Pagoda Projects Global Internship Programme. It was such a rewarding experience, and I’d highly recommend that current students apply for the programme. It gave me the opportunity to apply my skills in a professional setting, shaped my approach to online work, and added a fantastic experience to my CV.

Advice for current students studying this degree

Stay organised! Take that little bit of extra time at the start of the semester to review deadlines, read module handbooks, and understand assignment briefs. You’ll thank yourself later.

I started the course in January

After graduating from my undergraduate degree in October, I was happy to find that the conversion course started in January, meaning I could begin my Master’s right away instead of waiting until September.

Though I was initially nervous about starting in January, it turned out to be a refreshing change. I enjoyed working alongside both January and September starters. Now, I can say that 2024 was the year I earned my master’s.

My future goals

At the start of the course, my main goal was simply to begin a career in marketing. Now, the skills I've gained have boosted my confidence, ambition, and focus on future career growth.

Would you recommend this course to others?

Absolutely! It offers hands-on experience that prepares you for a successful digital marketing career. Additionally, I had the chance to collaborate with many talented students, making the experience even more rewarding.