Industry overview
In terms of skills and experience sought after in the creative and agency arena, original, creative and innovative thinkers lead the way. Employers are also offering premiums for strategists who can offer genuine brand and marketing advice.
Team players who are gregarious and driven by team goals and aspirations are always in demand. The large number of small start-up agencies also demonstrates the appeal of less politically motivated individuals – those wanting to get on with the job in hand rather than feeling constrained by the machinations of huge networks.
Experience is key
With regard to experience, a minimum of six months in an agency or client side role with an agency type environment is typically expected. Graduates are often coming out of college with this work experience following sandwich courses or a more proactive part taken by the universities careers department ensuring suitable opportunities in the summer holidays for students.
Some agencies will ask for top agency backgrounds, candidates who have worked on specific sectors, and individuals who have experience with particular mediums. Agencies generally have a preference for degree qualified individuals on the client service side particularly with marketing and advertising qualifications and individuals who hold CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) qualifications.
On the creative side, there are still some core institutions that cater for the advertising and marketing communications industry and offer great courses from diplomas to degrees. However, these types of course are more nationally available now and the quality of graduates is extremely high at all levels.
Routes into the design/advertising industry
- BA (Hons) in Design
- Diploma in Design
- Diploma in Advertising
- Diploma in Copywriting
- Diploma in Print services
- CIM Marketing
- ISP
- DMA
Where to study
- Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
- West Herts - Watford campus
- London College of Communication (LCC) including Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
- London Metropolitan University
- Bournemouth University
