Why I chose to study Strategic Marketing and Consulting at Birmingham

Throughout undergrad and the few years that followed, I felt unsatisfied with the idea of working in one industry for the rest of my life since I was quite creative and curious. I had enjoyed making marketing plans for the bands my friends played in, planning my own business ideas, and running my own fitness content page, all while competing and travelling on the Professional Squash Association World Tour. Even though my first job experience was extremely rewarding as a squash coach, I felt an urge to explore the world further and soak up more knowledge.

I knew I wanted to go back to school, but I didn’t quite know what for. My interests were so eclectic and I didn’t want to feel boxed into a certain area of study. When I saw that the University of Birmingham offered a Strategic Marketing and Consulting course, I was immediately interested and excited. The marketing industry is oversaturated and employers want to see applicants stand out, which is exactly what this course does given the title. I was also excited to learn about consulting since that career path offers flexibility, creativity, and travel opportunities; and UoB is one of the only universities that offers a consulting degree. In addition, I knew that turning “marketing” into “strategic marketing” would give me new, beneficial insights to the marketing world, making me a stronger applicant for large brands. It’s one thing to plan marketing campaigns with creativity, it’s another to understand why you should create that campaign.

I knew that pursuing strategic marketing and consulting in a one year programme would be ambitious and time consuming. But that’s exactly what I was looking for: something immersive, challenging, and interesting! The world of marketing and consulting is fast-paced and competitive. UoB has prepared me very well for this through several different types of assignments, in-class seminars, and lecture based sessions.

Strategic Marketing and Consulting is a fairly new programme at UoB so the class size is small, which gives students a great opportunity to form close friendships and get undivided attention from professors. I have been able to take advantage of every opportunity this course has to offer. Beyond that, the skills acquired in this course have given me the ability to feel confident in any venture I pursue after graduating from UoB, whether I work for a company or start my own business. I have gained a perfect blend of practical application and critical thinking that will benefit me forever. I am so excited to see the opportunities that will come from this lovely course!