From limited experience to a UK marketing career

Top tips for postgraduate marketing students by Elnaz Dashchi, Strategic Marketing MSc alumni

Coming into the postgraduate Strategic Marketing MSc, I did not have a lot of professional experience – and that made me slightly nervous. I was in the same cohort as others who already had industry backgrounds, and I questioned whether I would be able to compete in the UK job market.

It wasn’t easy, but I did it. I secured a marketing role in the UK, and I am incredibly proud of that achievement – because finding a job without prior experience is hard.

What helped me most was realising that interviews are not only about what you’ve done professionally. They are also about what you know and what you can do. I spoke confidently about the knowledge and practical skills I developed through my Cranfield assignments, especially teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. Employers want to see that you have the core skills and the motivation to learn – even if you are not 100% “job-ready” yet. Employers are willing to give you that opportunity.

One of the best things I have experienced working in the UK is the focus on growth. Employers genuinely invest in your development, which makes an enormous difference early in your career.

After graduating, I worked as a Project Coordinator at the British Academy, supporting a CRM implementation project. I have since moved into my current role as CRM and Marketing Officer at the Royal College of Art, where I work across both marketing activity and CRM projects.

My top tips for postgraduate marketing students

• Don’t let lack of experience hold you back – you can successfully find a job by highlighting your academic projects, transferable skills, and willingness to learn.
• Use your assignments as evidence – talk about real projects, group work, presentations, and strategic thinking from your degree – they matter to employers.
• Focus on skills, not job titles – highlight communication, teamwork, analysis, and adaptability. These are critical in marketing roles.
• Be strategic with job applications – quality over quantity worked for me. I waited until after submitting my thesis, then focused fully on job searching.
• Tailor every application – I customised my CV for each role, matched my skills to the job description, and only applied to roles I genuinely found interesting.
• Apply with intention – ask yourself:
  • Do I like this role?
  • Do my values align with the company?
  • Can I clearly explain why I am a good fit?
    • This approach helped me secure four interviews and two job offers, while also protecting my confidence by avoiding unnecessary rejections.
  • Trust your own process – everyone’s journey is different. Focus on what works best for you and take things one step at a time.

If you’re considering a postgraduate marketing degree and worried about not having enough experience – know that it is possible. With the right mindset, preparation and strategy, this degree can open real doors.