Amanda, 26 - Digital Marketing Consultant

I work closely with brands, helping them to reach their target audience through social media marketing. Whether it's through strategy and training or monthly management of their social media accounts, I join them on their journey as part of the team. Being a freelancer gives me the opportunity to work with a range of brands, most of which are startups - I love both the diversity and intensity. It really is all hands on deck in the early stages pre and post launch. Founders come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing they all have in common is their commitment, resilience and passion. This makes them a tremendous bunch to work with and learn from.

A-levels

I didn't do A-levels, I did an International Baccalaureate - with the following subjects: English, Maths, Design Technology, History, Business Studies and French.

Degree

English Literature and Creative Writing at York St John
Professional Diploma in Digital Marketing with the Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing

How I got to where I am now

At university I worked for both Dyson and Carphone Warehouse in sales

My graduate job was in PR for a recruitment agency

I then moved to Dubai to work in social media for PR agency, TishTash

I returned to the UK to work in-house as a Marketing Executive for a corporate travel management company

After a year, I decided to take the plunge into freelance life and since then have worked for myself with a range of vibrant startups and small businesses

My big tip...

Quite honestly, I chose to study English Literature and Creative Writing as, at the time, I saw it as my only vehicle to getting a degree. Having never been terribly academic, writing had always been my saving grace throughout school. From a young age, reading and writing stories and poems has been one of my most treasured pastimes. Despite this, I can’t admit to being fired up about studying it for three years at university. The magic happened when I began to apply what I was learning to the world of work. I worked throughout University in sales, and committed each long summer break to internships in PR and marketing. This gave me a really clear idea of what I enjoyed and what I was good at. Amazingly, those two things went hand in hand. My advice to you - choose your passion - as cliche as that sounds. When you get to uni, you have three whole years to discover and decide how you wish to apply your degree to the world of work. Try not to see University as the end to your education, in many ways it is only the beginning.