The world is functioning digitally around us but as companies and individuals are we up to the job?
Veronica catches up with Dr Sarah Roberts- Bowman, who recently completed her Digital Marketing Institute Diploma in Digital Marketing with nesma for her monthly Northern Insight Magazine piece.
Is it possible to get a marketing or comms job without digital qualifications?
Digital is now built into every marketing or communications role, and it is vital to demonstrate that you have these capabilities. Qualifications validate skills and show to employers that you are committed to continuous professional development, and this is beneficial to everyone.
What are employers looking for?
I think they are looking for people who can problem solve and think critically and holistically about the organisation, its people and its operating environment. Then reflect, analyse and create multi-dimensional marketing and communication strategies that are appropriate rather than think that there is somehow a one size fits all approach. It is that unique blend of behaviours and skills.
How do you think the DMI course will help you in your own career?
It has certainly given me more confidence when thinking about how to integrate digital more fully into strategies, in particular, some of the more technical aspects. Creating more effective solutions can only but help your career!
Do you think spending a whole day on each topic would be beneficial and why/why not?
A full day on each topic would allow time to really explore the potential it offers to your organisation and to get more peer to peer discussion so that you can share ideas and solutions as a group and learn from each other. It would also allow you to have some hands-on time to experiment and learn by doing. Creating some online ad campaigns, for example, or creating SEO keywords and meta descriptions would be really useful.
What advice would you give to others about ‘moving up a gear’ in digital?
Don’t be afraid, nobody has all the answers in this brave new world. We are all learning to experiment, and take that first step to break down some of the mystery by getting some qualifications and start your digital CPD journey. Its one that I don’t think will ever end as the technology changes and becomes more disruptive and transformational. Digital is now built into every marketing and communications role, and it is vital to demonstrate that you have these capabilities. Qualifications validate skills and show to employers that you are committed to continuous professional development, and this is beneficial to everyone. nesma’s course portfolio includes all aspects of digital, marketing and communications courses with a range of qualifications from CIM CIPR and DMI.
Veronica recently introduced Dr Sarah Roberts-Bowman as a nesma tutor. She will support colleagues on a range of CIPR and CIM qualifications including the new CIPR specialist diploma in public affairs.
If you have time to have a cuppa with Veronica, please get in touch!
