Marketing, advertising and PR

These popular and very competitive sectors offer the opportunity to work in an industry that is fast-paced and exciting. Positions are available in many organisations across all areas. It’s important to familiarise yourself with and recognise the differences between marketing, advertising and PR to decide which one is right for you. Learn more about the differences between marketing, advertising and PR (TARGETjobs).

Typical jobs in this sector include:

  • creative director
  • digital marketer
  • product manager
  • advertising copywriter
  • media analyst
  • public relations officer
  • public affairs consultant.

Key skills that are useful in this sector include:

  • commercial awareness and entrepreneurial mindset
  • ability to work under pressure as part of a team to meet tight deadlines
  • creative thinking to analyse problems and suggest solutions
  • good interpersonal skills
  • excellent spoken and written communication skills
  • organisational and planning skills.

For job profiles and detailed information on pursuing a career in the marketing sector, see the Prospects website:

Marketing, advertising and PR profile

Contents

How to get a job

To prepare for a graduate-level career in marketing, advertising or PR, you should research the sector carefully. You should also talk with people who are in the sector already.

Work experience is essential for gaining a graduate position. You can get this through part-time work, placements, internships and volunteering.

Make a connection

To connect with people already working in the sector, consider joining Saint Connect, the University of St Andrews’ exclusive, global, online community for networking and career mentoring.

See more ideas for making a connection.

Insight days

Larger firms often offer insight days and short work experience opportunities, usually for first and second-year students. They are short (one day to two weeks) introductory events which may consist of team challenges and some mentoring.

Insight days are a good introduction to a company. They will provide you with work experience and useful contacts, and could lead to a formal placement. 

Work experience and internships

Search for internships and other vacancies in the local St Andrews area and elsewhere:

  • The St Andrews Summer Internships Scheme offers paid internships within different units of the University of St Andrews (including marketing, advertising and PR vacancies).
  • The Byre Theatre in St Andrews occasionally advertises for press and PR interns.

Find internships (Careers Centre)

Many large graduate employers offer paid summer internships or work experience programmes. These are usually aimed at students in their third or fourth years. Examples of employers offering internships include:

Other ideas to find work experience opportunities include:

Make a speculative application

You could also consider making a speculative application to find work experience or work shadowing opportunities. This is where you apply to a company that is not advertising positions. Here are a few tips to help you search for companies to make an application to:

Volunteering

You could gain marketing experience by working in a relevant communications role with a student society.

Also explore roles with voluntary organisations, who sometimes have opportunities in their marketing and PR departments.

Skills development

There are courses available that will help introduce you to the sectors and gain some relevant skills:

  • DMA – Creative Data Academy – free online introduction to the data and marketing industry
  • Taylor Bennett Foundation – PR and communications training programme open to graduates from a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background.
  • Bright Network – free three-day course offering insights, skills and connections in the marketing sector.

Attend events

The Careers Centre often puts on events where you can talk to employers visiting St Andrews. Visit the events page for more information.

Finding a job

Check out our job listings for vacancies or see the resources below for jobs in the marketing sector.

Find jobs (Careers Centre)

Jobs in the UK

Graduate training schemes

A graduate training scheme is a paid, entry-level job that also acts as a training programme. Many large employers offer graduate training programmes in marketing, advertising and PR. Applications usually open in August or September and can close as early as October. A 2.1 or above in any degree discipline is usually preferred.

To find out more about marketing graduate training schemes, see:

Jobs outside the UK

Applying for a job

The recruitment process for graduate training schemes may vary from company to company, but is likely to consist of the following:

Check employer websites as many provide details on their own individual recruitment and selection processes. Smaller organisations may be happy to accept a CV and covering letter and will have a less formal approach to the selection process.

For additional information on applying for a job in the sector, see:

If you would like personalised help on any aspect of applying for a job, you can book an appointment with a careers adviser.  

Applying for a job

Additional resources