Shannon Stokes
BA (Hons) Digital Marketing graduate Shannon, works as a Freelance Digital Marketer and is responsible for managing social media channels and communications for her clients.
Why did you choose to study BA (Hons) Digital Marketing?
After choosing Business Studies, Media and ICT at both GCSE and A-Level, I spent countless hours on UCAS and other websites researching what courses I could apply for with the subjects I was passionate about. I wasn’t sure what to choose and then my school career advisor suggested digital marketing to me! After visiting BCU and getting an insight into the course, I knew then it was what I wanted to study.
How did the course help you prepare for your career?
How the course is structured, the different methodologies and marketing techniques they teach, really prepares you for your career. I’m always referring back to existing lectures and work!
Can you tell us about your current role?
With my current clients, my role is focused more on social media management than the full marketing mix. So this includes:
- Managing different companies’ social media channels and communications
- Creating dynamic graphics, and interactive and written content such as weekly blogs
- Analysing and monitoring social media performance
- Proposing new ideas and concepts for social media content
What do you enjoy most about your work?
Making the decision to go freelance is a very personal choice, it comes with such independence, freedom and control. I enjoy learning about each client’s background and what they stand for. It’s so rewarding to grow with them!
What advice would you give to a student thinking about joining the course?
Be prepared - it's a very fast-paced and intense course, which goes super quick! Utilise everything, resources, highly experienced staff etc. to gain insight and achieve the best grades!
What advice would you give to a student looking to get into the Digital Marketing industry?
I found it pretty difficult to get my foot in the door without any experience. If you haven’t got any work experience, create a portfolio and utilise any proud school, college, or university briefs and other projects to show them your skills!
I would also recommend making use of LinkedIn and other social media channels, it’s a great way to network and make new connections! That’s how I obtained my first client!