First of all, tell us a bit about yourself and background before studying with NZIE.
I am originally from South Africa but have lived in New Zealand for 8 years. I have been a marketing manager for over twenty years and have worked across several industries, in both consumer and business to business roles. I studied journalism and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing prior to the digital explosion of the past ten years. I became frustrated that while I understood the importance of digital in marketing strategy, I was not well versed in the various functions of digital marketing and how to incorporate them and cost them into strategy to maximise the return. As many of my contemporaries did, I provided a budget to a digital agency to take care of the “digital marketing”. This felt disjointed and I struggled to fully understand the reports that were sent to me. I decided that I needed to train as a digital marketer so that I could become a “modern marketer”, proficient in all forms of marketing and able to incorporate every channel and touchpoint into my plannin.
Why did you choose to Study the Diploma in Digital Marketing at NZIE? And how did you hear about us?
I started doing online research, looking for digital marketing courses. I had a few requirements – I wanted a course that would cover everything, not just one speciality; I wanted an accredited qualification at a high level; and I needed to do the studies part time, on week nights (not weekends). I came across the NZIE Level 7 Diploma in Digital Marketing and it ticked all these boxes. I looked at every other tertiary provider I could travel to and I could not find another course that covered the content or culminated in a high-level qualification.
How did you find your experience of studying with NZIE?
Studying part time while working is hard, but we covered off a lot in class and the teachers were in general well versed in their respective specialities and supportive. I enjoyed making friends, both local and from all over the world during my two years of part time studies.
When you first started your studies at NZIE, what challenges did you face and how did you deal with them?
I was having to start my day job super early to get to NZIE classes on time and it took a while to adjust to those long days. I also found it difficult to fit in time on weekends to work on assignments and did tend to work very late into the night with little sleep near to those deadlines.
What’s the best advice for someone wanting to break into digital marketing and studying?
Digital marketing skills are still scarce and in demand. It’s important to understand the range of skills and functions in digital marketing before you choose field/s of speciality.
A course like the one at NZIE covers everything in enough detail to understand where you’d like to hone your skills.
It’s important to attend every class and try for the best grade possible in every assignment to impress with your technical knowledge in job interviews if you want to work in the field.
Can you explain how you went with job hunting or your career since finishing? – was the Diploma beneficial to where you’re at now in your career?
The Diploma has added new skills to my marketing portfolio, and I am able to deliver better work and results (because I am considering how every platform and touchpoint can affect every other). I am still a marketing manager, but since completing my Diploma have chosen roles that include digital marketing and technology functions, which I was not able to do before learning the skills at NZIE.
What are you doing now and what’s the plan for your future in Digital Marketing?
I am working as a loyalty and CRM manager and enjoying strategizing and working with technology to manage, optimise and evolve marketing for the business. I am excited about the innovation and adaptation that the future holds, and how tech and machine learning will enable a highly personalised and exceptional experience for customers.
Do you have any big goals you’re wanting to achieve?
I would like to apply what I’ve already learnt and keep up to date with emerging trends and technology to build a reputation as a leading marketer and strategist.
What was your favourite part about studying here at NZIE?
Most of the tutors were well versed in their trade and provided a great sounding board. It was also great to meet people from all over the world and learn from their work experience in different countries.
Would you recommend studying with NZIE to other potential students?
I would recommend the Digital Marketing Diploma to anyone looking to obtain a qualification that is at degree level and wanting to skill up for Digital Marketing as a career. From there you can choose which aspect you would like to specialise in and do your internship or study further to become an expert in that field.
