Marketing Executive Apprentice Case Study

Please introduce yourself, the company you work for and what you do.

My name is Jess Scott, and I work for MSG Tours and I am completing my Level 4 Marketing Executive apprenticeship. I am mainly responsible for social media, content creation and graphic design. It is what I love most, and it is incredible to bring our amazing tours to life.  At MSG, we are a group tour operator business, so on a day-to-day basis, we send school groups, clubs and supporters to some insane destinations around the World to have unforgettable experiences, develop their sporting skills or get to watch their favourite team play!

What advice would you give to anyone considering an apprenticeship?

My advice to anyone wanting to do an apprenticeship is just to go for it! Previously, I attended college for my first level 3 qualification in 3D design and even then, continued this at University, and I am so glad I made the switch to an apprenticeship.

Since leaving University, I have also done my Level 3 Digital Marketer qualification, also at EMA, and I’m almost at the end of my Level 4. I chose to leave university and change my career. I knew I loved graphic design and social media, advertising and PR which led me to look into marketing courses. After looking to change my University qualification, I also decided to look at apprenticeships, which is something I considered before starting Uni. After applying to a few of EMA’s vacancies, they reached out and interviewed me to be added to their talent pool and I soon started my first course.

Why did you choose the apprenticeship route?

After a few months at University, I soon realised the course I was doing wasn’t for me and the overall structure of Uni, lack of support, and my course not being what I expected it to be. I also struggled to find a job whilst living in halls, so it became very difficult to pay everything and have the social life you imagined. This ultimately made me want to look for other options that would help me earn money alongside getting more qualifications.

What impact has an apprenticeship had on your career?

Choosing the apprenticeship route has accelerated my career and what I have been able to achieve by the age of 21. I now have over 2 years’ experience working full time in marketing, a Level 3 qualification, at grade Distinction, and soon to have my Level 4. I have learnt so much in the past 2 years about marketing and how to navigate full-time work. Doing the course encourages you to try every area of marketing so you can test everything to help you find your strengths and weaknesses, and the Level 4 course teaches you management, planning, strategies and reports, which have been so helpful as my responsibilities grow.

What support have you had from your employer and provider?

I have had incredible support from EMA, from me being so nervous starting my first job to now 2 years later, with Calum and Stu as my mentors. Along the way, I have gained so much confidence, and I’m looking forward to the progression in my role at MSG.

MSG have been amazing throughout the past year of my working here, the support and encouragement have helped me achieve so much and allow me to bring new ideas and perspective to the table.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?

My biggest achievement to date is me buying a house with my boyfriend. Without doing an apprenticeship, this would never have been possible for me to do by my age. I would encourage anyone else to do the same. It seems daunting at the start, but your confidence will grow so quickly, and you will get to have some incredible experiences along the way whilst gaining your qualifications and workplace experience.

If this sounds like you, or sounds like a route you’d like to follow, then let’s talk about starting your apprenticeship journey.