Rebecca runs Red Kangaroo Marketing Limited and has now graduated with a CIM Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing (L6). It’s her own company which she set up just one month before the pandemic hit! On the plus side, Rebecca says, this has allowed her to work flexibly in volatile times, which has been very useful over the past 18 months! She helps cultural, tourism and heritage organisations embrace new digital marketing techniques and achieve their business goals.
What was the reason behind choosing to study this qualification?
To get a professional marketing qualification to sit alongside my (now ten years+) marketing experience. I also welcomed the opportunity to specialise in Digital Marketing, bringing my skills bang up to date. I also wanted to prove that you don’t have to be “young” to be successful in digital marketing and that anyone, regardless of age, can do it. All you need is a commitment to personal development and improvement.
What did you discover about yourself in the process?
I’m far more resilient than I ever imagined. This course involved lots of stops, starts and interruptions for me, taking around five years in total. There was the personal tragedy of losing my mother to MND after a long period of decline. Then within another few months, the global pandemic, homeschooling and two lockdowns. Completing this course was a huge challenge, but it helped give me a positive focus in dark times. I am proud that even though the way was very hard, I have managed to get back on track every time. nesma’s flexibility and willingness to change the study schedule to meet my needs made all the difference.
Has studying with nesma helped you in your career?
It has given me much more confidence in my abilities, and I can better express the value and benefit of working with me to potential customers.
What did you enjoy most?
In equal measure, the people and the learning. My tutors and fellow students were a delight. I find marketing fascinating, so I loved having the opportunity to read, write and generally learn more about it!
What type of things do you now do differently?
I am a very comprehensive planner now and work in a much more structured way. I’ve also learned the value of being alert to new opportunities and spending a lot of time scanning the horizon and trying new techniques. I treat every day as a school day and am happiest when I’m learning something new!
What words of advice would you give anyone considering a career in marketing/PR?
Go for it; it’s challenging, exciting and heaps of fun! Also that professional training matters and will dramatically improve your practice.
What are the significant changes within your industry at present?
To understand that things will continue to change, not least of all because of the impact of the global pandemic. I think it’s not easy to predict precisely how tourism, cultural and heritage organisations will look in the future. Chances are, we won’t be experiencing them in quite the same way. Now is a time for organisations to be innovative and agile and make the most of new opportunities as they emerge. In this environment, skilled marketers are going to be a crucial part of delivering future success.
What do you enjoy most when you aren’t doing the day job?
I love travelling and experiencing new places, spending time with my family and being outdoors in nature.
The CIM Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing qualification provides the latest professional standard for digital marketing bringing you up-to-date on the latest digital marketing thinking which can be applied to your own digital strategies.
