Sharing insights from digital marketing students in Dublin, this series will investigate their motivations and highlights during their study.
Today we spoke to Gerard Smith who is currently in the first year of his MSc in Digital Marketing and Analytics.
1) Gerard, to start tell us in a couple of sentences about what you do?
I am a value consultant for Salesforce in Dublin. We work with our account teams and customers to develop executive documents for investment justification. We explore the potential value and return a client will receive from implementation of Salesforce solutions and help shape strategy and vision for the business.
I am a value consultant for Salesforce in Dublin. We work with our account teams and customers to develop executive documents for investment justification. We explore the potential value and return a client will receive from implementation of Salesforce solutions and help shape strategy and vision for the business.
2) Why did you decide to do a master in digital marketing?
After my undergraduate degree I began working, but now I have reached a point in life where I want to progress my academic qualifications to the next level to help drive my career further. Coming from roles in Analytics, Finance and an undergraduate degree in Business Studies, I was very interested in the analytical side of marketing but also wanted to learn more about new technologies. I had a look at several courses and both the relevance and innovative approach was what attracted me to the digital marketing degree in DIT.
After my undergraduate degree I began working, but now I have reached a point in life where I want to progress my academic qualifications to the next level to help drive my career further. Coming from roles in Analytics, Finance and an undergraduate degree in Business Studies, I was very interested in the analytical side of marketing but also wanted to learn more about new technologies. I had a look at several courses and both the relevance and innovative approach was what attracted me to the digital marketing degree in DIT.
3) How did you decide then which course to choose?
At first, I was just searching the various schools on appropriate masters within the business and finance areas. I had then come across the MSc in Digital Marketing and Analytics. I am quite analytical, so it made sense for me to get involved in a course that has a qualitative and quantitative aspect to it.
I then met with the course director and spoke to some friends in the field of marketing. They really drove home what impact digital marketing is having on brands and how a qualification in this area puts the student at the cutting edge of that field. I then of course spoke to the course coordinator and to other students during an open day, which is when I made the final choice.
At first, I was just searching the various schools on appropriate masters within the business and finance areas. I had then come across the MSc in Digital Marketing and Analytics. I am quite analytical, so it made sense for me to get involved in a course that has a qualitative and quantitative aspect to it.
I then met with the course director and spoke to some friends in the field of marketing. They really drove home what impact digital marketing is having on brands and how a qualification in this area puts the student at the cutting edge of that field. I then of course spoke to the course coordinator and to other students during an open day, which is when I made the final choice.
4) What do you like about this course?
There is a good blend of qualitative and quantitative aspects, which I really enjoy. Obviously some elements of the course require more application and some are easier depending on your skills. So I am bridging gaps and increasing my skill set at the same time.
I like that we have a blend of pure academic lecturers and industry lecturers. It gives great context and balance to both sides. In addition DIT bring in many guest speakers (agencies, research centers and C-level marketers) to discuss the latest trends and organise workshops including some practical elements. We also work on ‘real-life’ company projects and data sets which is great.
I do really enjoy the strategic part of the course as well. Digital Marketing practice is an ever-evolving subject but with the strategic skills that I am learning I really feel like I am equipped to apply those to any project in the long-term.
There is a good blend of qualitative and quantitative aspects, which I really enjoy. Obviously some elements of the course require more application and some are easier depending on your skills. So I am bridging gaps and increasing my skill set at the same time.
I like that we have a blend of pure academic lecturers and industry lecturers. It gives great context and balance to both sides. In addition DIT bring in many guest speakers (agencies, research centers and C-level marketers) to discuss the latest trends and organise workshops including some practical elements. We also work on ‘real-life’ company projects and data sets which is great.
I do really enjoy the strategic part of the course as well. Digital Marketing practice is an ever-evolving subject but with the strategic skills that I am learning I really feel like I am equipped to apply those to any project in the long-term.
5) If you could give someone who is considering a digital marketing course 3 tips, what would they be?
1) Try to keep up with digital marketing trends or at least get some exposure to them. You don’t need to be a blogger or have 1M followers on twitter, but be sure to read blogs and understand the landscape of digital marketing in order to give yourself a flavor of what type of discussions you will have in class.
2) Be prepared at masters level to apply yourself. I benefitted by careful planning of about 10 months prior to commencing the course which really enabled me to select the right course, do the research and prepare myself in the social context for dealing with the extra workload.
3)I recommend to definitely attend an open day of any of the schools you are considering. In DIT we had a day of lectures to get a feel of the type of classes and the content we would be learning during the master degree.
1) Try to keep up with digital marketing trends or at least get some exposure to them. You don’t need to be a blogger or have 1M followers on twitter, but be sure to read blogs and understand the landscape of digital marketing in order to give yourself a flavor of what type of discussions you will have in class.
2) Be prepared at masters level to apply yourself. I benefitted by careful planning of about 10 months prior to commencing the course which really enabled me to select the right course, do the research and prepare myself in the social context for dealing with the extra workload.
3)I recommend to definitely attend an open day of any of the schools you are considering. In DIT we had a day of lectures to get a feel of the type of classes and the content we would be learning during the master degree.
Thanks to Gerard for sharing his insights with us! If you have any questions for him don't hesitate to comment below.
For an overview of all courses available to you in Dublin, check out this handy summary of all digital marketing courses in Dublin.
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