What are the biggest barriers to starting your marketing career?

Starting a career in marketing can feel exciting, overwhelming, and at times, a little confusing too. One minute you’re learning theories and campaign frameworks on paper, and the next you’re expected to know how to apply them in the real world. But before you even get there, there’s job applications, interviews, and trying to stand out in an industry that only seems to be getting more competitive by the day. It’s no surprise that so many aspiring marketers feel stuck before they’ve even got started.

The reality is that most people entering the industry experience these same worries, and many of the marketers you look up to had to navigate through them too. Looking back on my early years, I recall them feeling much more chaotic than straightforward. It’s easy to compare yourself to your peers and those further up the career ladder, but behind the scenes, most people are learning as they go, and sometimes the best experience comes from navigating those challenges on the way.    

After asking aspiring marketers in CIM’s network what barriers they’re currently facing when trying to kickstart their careers, a few key themes came up again and again. So, let’s talk about them.

“How do I get experience if every role wants experience?”

This is probably one of the biggest frustrations for anyone trying to enter marketing. So many entry-level roles ask for experience, but how are you supposed to get that experience if nobody gives you a chance to start with?