We spun into action with an MSc Ceilidh and Dinner on Saturday evening. There was conversation, food, live music and dancing (or trying to!), and it reminded me how important these moments of connection are alongside our course work. It was the perfect way to catch up with classmates and relieve stress.
On Monday, a Budgets and Data-Driven Insights for Marketing workshop with Tim Hamill highlighted a core challenge marketers often face: proving their value. We explored why marketing is frequently the first to face cuts when budgets are tight and how departments like Finance or Production often get prioritised due to their clear, measurable outputs. The session revealed how marketing can also speak a data-driven language, using metrics like Customer Lifetime Value (CLV), combining different indicators, and quantifying impact in ways that align with broader business goals. It was a really practical and thought-provoking session.
Tuesday shifted the focus towards personal development. A CV Development Workshop helped us think beyond simply listing our responsibilities on applications, encouraging us instead to show outcomes, personality, and what makes our experience relevant. Later, the LinkedIn Strategies for Visibility and Confidence session, led by the Student Development Team, offered a detailed look at how to make the platform work for us—whether through building a stronger headline, reaching out to alumni, or understanding how recruiters actually use search tools. I left with a solid list of things I want to adjust on my own profile.
On Thursday, a Strategic Digital Marketing session led by Steve Kemish took a deeper look into how brands are approaching digital transformation. Uncertainty was a recurring theme here, especially when it comes to adopting new technologies and how to implement them meaningfully. We covered everything from A/B testing and AI (where prompt writing is more important than you’d think) to location-based marketing and evolving consumer expectations. One takeaway that surprised me was that even with the digital tools available nowadays, the Attention, Interest, Desire, and Action (AIDA) model is still useful in understanding customer decision-making. Digitalisation, it turns out, doesn’t automatically mean optimisation!
Finally, on Friday we wrapped up the week with Presenting Yourself with Impact and Networking with public speaker, Mel Sherwood. The session explored how to present ourselves authentically and connect with others in ways that feel natural, not forced. One idea that stood out to me was the notion that confidence isn’t something we need to create, it’s something we’re born with and can return to. It was a fitting close to a week focused on both professional tools and personal reflection.
Overall, the MSc Marketing Employability Week was a great experience which offered a mix of insight, clarity, and connection just when we needed it most! After lectures wrapped up for the semester and dissertation season was officially underway, it was a great occasion to bring everyone back together on campus to reconnect before diving into the more independent part of our studies.