Considering a career in media?

As the advertising, marketing and public relations industry is thought of as glamorous and exciting by many graduates seeking their first entry into the job market the competition to secure a role is often very competitive. Being a creative, fast-paced industry means that it is always looking for talented individuals with fresh ideas and there are a huge variety of roles, requiring different skills and abilities within this sector. The media sector is varied, exciting, fast moving, extremely creative but can also be stressful at times as there is often great pressure to meet client's tight deadlines. With the increasing development of new technologies the way in which audiences are targeted is continually evolving and as well as TV, radio and direct mail there is now a greater demand for electronic advertising and marketing campaigns such as internet, multimedia and sms. Podcasts and blogs are now a part of many corporate awareness campaigns as companies use new media channels to reach their customers and new audiences. Opportunities for graduates who are interested the media can find roles in advertising agencies, creative agencies, direct marketing agencies, full-service agencies and PR consultancies as well as in-house marketing and PR divisions of large companies. There are also digital online agencies that specialise in digital communications which will include mobile and internet campaigns including search engine marketing.

Marketing is about the development of a product from planning, to promotion, and media relations. It also is responsible for market research, direct marketing and sponsorship. Often a marketing role will be within a company's marketing dept and will incorporate advertising, and sometimes PR. Roles can include marketing executive, market researcher, media buyer, market database manager. There are also specialist positions such as brand managers, consumer insight manager and even consumer psychologists.

Advertising will also be involved with some of the marketing aspects but its focus will be on promoting and selling the product. Positions can be found in specialist agencies such as creative agencies which develop and devise creative ideas and strategies for advertising campaigns. Creative roles can range from advertising copy writer to art director. Opportunities also exist for advertising account executives, advertising account planners and media buyers.

Public relations is about influencing opinions ie. generating endorsements for the product usually through media relations, or people that hold positions where they can influence groups of audiences. These people can be anyone from a politician, policy makers or even celebrities. As well as writing and editing content activities including event planning and research. Opportunities exist both in-house or agencies. Roles available include press officers, public relations account executives but there are also positions with non-for profit organisations and political parties as lobbyists.

The media sector offers many varying roles to bright graduates who are prepared to work long hours and have the energy and drive it takes to succeed in the world of advertising and media and more detailed information on specific roles can be found from the relevant professional bodies as we have only detailed some of the careers available.

Entry into the media sector is open to graduates of all disciplines. Employers look for good communication skills both written and oral. If you are hoping to work in this sector your Bejant video profile is an excellent way of showing potential employers you ability to communicate in this way. See the following sites for more information: Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) Direct Marketing Association (DMA) Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)