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Charity marketing assistant: Sarah

This Case Study belongs to Charity officer.

Sarah works as a marketing assistant with the ‘Employment Opportunities’ charity having gained her degree in international relations and American studies at De Montfort University.

I didn’t exactly choose this career. I studied international relations and American studies as my undergraduate degree. After graduation, I moved to London and got a temporary job for a few months while I looked for permanent employment. I have always wanted to work in the charity/not-for-profit sector, and this was the first job that came up.

I found this role through the recruitment agency, Charity People, now called People Unlimited. I went in and met the recruitment agent to discuss my experience and what I was looking for in a new role. They put me forward for my current role, and after an interview, I was selected.

Fortunately, I was able to get this job without having any previous marketing experience, so I would encourage people not to be afraid of applying for roles that appear to be outside your experience. Whilst the subject of my degree was not overly relevant - it was not in marketing - I do think that a degree ensures you have a good level of written English which is particularly useful when contacting people of varying seniority. Also, group presentations provide you with invaluable experience as you never know when you will have to present - whether it is to get the job initially or in the job role.

I have been in this role for almost two years now, and it has developed significantly. When I first started, my role mainly revolved around the administration of marketing. Now, as the team has changed, I am instrumental in carrying out all marketing activity from planning to evaluation to possible new avenues. I am also more involved in the actual recruitment side which was not the case when I first started.

My main tasks are to market all our opportunities, identify new marketing avenues, produce all marketing material, manage the website and database, organise book fairs, arrange travel and accommodation, and put together events for both students and employers.

I particularly enjoy the variety of the role and the interaction with the students. One thing which is frustrating is having small budgets. However, this is part and parcel of sector. In the future, I would like to stay within marketing but work for a larger charity. I am also looking to do a Chartered Institute of Marketing course which will, no doubt, help my career in marketing progress.

Case Study sourced by Mary Goudge of Imperial College London, 07 April 2009.