Past: The Beginning of My MCS Journey
"The only way to do great work is to love what you do." - Steve Jobs
Before I started studying Marketing & Communication Support (MCS), I was a curious high school student with a passion for creativity and communication. In high school, I was always interested in subjects such as economics and English, where I learned how businesses work and how creativity plays a role in conveying messages. These interests led me to choose to study Marketing & Communications.
From where did my choice to this field come?
What attracted me to this field was the dynamism, variety and trends. Marketing is all around us and I saw countless opportunities to combine my creativity and strategic thinking. Before I started college, I already had some knowledge of office skills through taking online classes in high school and keeping busy with accounts on Instagram and twitter (X). One specific event that sparked my interest was an inspiring read in an online article by a marketing director of a large company. His passion and vision for the field motivated me to choose this direction since he also loves social media, trends and marketing aspects.
Present: My Experiences So Far
During my education, I am discovering that there are many aspects within Marketing & Communications that appeal to me. Especially digital marketing and content creation have piqued my interests hard. I find the ability to tell stories that touch and connect people fascinating. What has surprised me most is how quickly the industry is changing due to technological innovations.
The process so far...
Working on websites or assignments inside Graphic Design during the course taught me a lot about technological aspects and what you can do inside the tools of certain apps. I also learned to give and receive constructive feedback. One valuable feedback I received was to be more confident in my own ideas in the end. This helps me become more confident in my presentations, although I still disdain them.
Personal development
During the training I developed personal skills such as planning and creativity. I have become better at organizing my time and coming up with innovative solutions to problems. Definitely looking forward to next semester what challenges will await me and how it will vary from the first semester. I am working on it by taking additional courses and asking for help from professors. The process of creating my portfolio website was challenging if rewarding. It forced me to think critically about my strengths; how I want to present myself to potential employers, but for that I need to gain experience before I can create a portfolio.
Future: My Ambitions and Goals
As I look to the future within my education, I see myself growing as a versatile professional in Marketing & Communications. I dream of working at companies that value innovation, such as Tech companies or creative agencies. One person who inspires me in the marketing world is Elon Musk. He is an influential figure in the world of technology and innovation. His impact on marketing and communications is significant.
What exactly will I strive for?
What I have learned so far about the industry is that authenticity and customer focus are crucial to success. This inspires me to continue learning about branding and storytelling. Although I currently prefer working within a company because of structure and collaboration, I do not rule out working as an entrepreneur one day.
A niche within marketing that I want to learn more about is obviously social media strategies because these are platforms where brands can communicate directly with their audience and how you will build and maintain networks. Content creation is something that I find fascinating from a young age since all the new generations have grown up with YouTube.
Additional Reflections
One brand that caught my attention: Spotify
Spotify appeals to me because of their innovative marketing strategies and focus on personalization. Their annual campaign "Spotify Wrapped" is a perfect example of how they engage users by offering them a personalized view of their listening habits. This leads to tremendous social media virality. Spotify's use of data to create customized playlists and recommendations makes the listening experience unique and encourages users to share their favorite music. This approach inspires me to also focus on creating emotional connections and leveraging data for a personalized customer experience in my future marketing strategies.
A local company that inspires me: Tony's Chocolonely
A local company that inspires me is Tony's Chocolonely because of their mission to make 100% slave-free chocolate. Their transparent communication and creative campaigns show how marketing can contribute to positive change for people. With these reflections, I hope my blog not only provides insight into my personal journey as an MCS student, but also inspires reflection on the impact we can make within this dynamic field both for me and the public.