Realistic chances of marketing job without marketing degree?

.... however big companies will along the line ask you to take a degree in Marketing - they'll probably pay you to go to a private institution.

If my degree is in another subject, but I have gained some relevant skills and maybe part-time work, is it possible to get a job in marketing without the degree?

Having looked on job sites, most of them require a degree in marketing.

I want to study something else as I am confident I can get the skills outside of this, but I can't afford not to be employed upon graduation, so any input appreciated.

It is fairly common for graduate employers to ask for you to have a marketing (or similar) degree. Annoyingly because so many people have marketing/businesses degrees that its just raising the bar to become the norm.

However its not always the case, as said by jneill above, but you may struggle to compete with students who have specialised in marketing, unless your a top bloke.

However, if you beef up your CV with a lot of marketing related things + lots of relevant marketing experience, im sure you will be fine.

I recommend:
- looking into studying with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (i did the foundation certificate and it was fairly easy. Cost about £140 though, maybe £250 now not sure). You learn a lot and its a professional body and is valued by employers.
- Do marketing internships/part time marketing work, even if you dont get any money. I did 17 months unpaid marketing work in my first and 2nd year which helped me get my placement.
- Be active in your universities business/marketing society. Try and get in the commitee.
- Do some freelance work online. Go on fivesquid and do marketing research for businesses. Could look good on CV.
- start a marketing blog.
- start a small business. Employers love to hear about that stuff. Gives you an opportunity to do some real marketing
- Sort out your personal branding

I have done/tried these things if you want to hear more about any of it

Hope any of this helps. Please excuse my dyslexia.

source: I blog for a student advice website

May I ask, with CIM, how does the certificate work?

Do you do it whilst you're working, or is it something you attend and focus solely on? Is it easy to balance with full-time employment?

Many thanks.

Thanks for all the replies - great advice.

It makes such a difference when people take the time to reply.

ChamChu this was especially helpful.

May I ask, with CIM, how does the certificate work?

Do you do it whilst you're working, or is it something you attend and focus solely on? Is it easy to balance with full-time employment?

Many thanks.

My university had it as an option with your first year of study so I did it with that. Made the whole thing quite easy.

My university had it as an option with your first year of study so I did it with that. Made the whole thing quite easy. However, if your uni doesn't offer it, you will have to do it independently. Go on the CIM website and have a look through it. I think you can do the award via distance learning.

You can do it while your working too. It would be part time study so you could probably do it in evenings/weekends. As long as you can attend the exam it should be fine. I did it while studying in my first year and managed to do it okay while be an extremely lazy person. Its only around 2000/3000 words I think and you get about 6/8 months to do it (my memory sucks). Maybe give them a ring

Normally CIM requires you to already have an undergrad degree. Is there any reason they let you get away with it?

Of course! You can 100% get into marketing without a marketing degree. I'm a head of marketing at TSR and have a history degree, my exec has a journalism degree, my other exec has a marketing and events HND but I would happily have appointed her without it. My Chief Marketing Officer (boss) has a economics degree.

When I interview grads I look for a basic understanding of a few marketing principles, some digital credentials and super-hot organisational skills / indication they will work well under pressure.
Marketing principles - just using words like "tone of voice", brand / direct response, content marketing, customer acquisition / cost per acquisition, creativity etc. is enough to make me confident they "get it" enough to be able to work with them to develop their skills.
Digital credentials - I love to see a blog, employer suitable twitter account (ideally on marketing or comms), insta account with loads of followers - if I'm asking someone to position my company online I'd be reassured they can position themselves online

Hi,
Which qualifications you can suggest ?