Five tips for students looking to get ahead of a career in marketing

This week, I was asked by a first year student what they could do to get ahead for a future career in marketing. It's not the first time I've been asked this, and yet every time it comes up, my brain wants to offer a thousand different answers.

First and foremost, if you're only a week into your degree and this is something you are asking - I think you'll probably be just fine. But for the record, here are five things that immediately come to mind.

#1 Think about your footprint

This is the simplest, but the easiest to let slip. Your online footprint is the most accessible 'version of you' that the outside world will see. If your CV lands on my desk, one of the first things I'm likely to do is Google you to try and get a sense of who you?really?are.?

Think about what your last post was. A link to an interesting industry news piece? Or the bitter end of a nasty argument with a stranger? You never know who is looking and when, so always be the best version of yourself - especially if you've just sent out a CV.?

#2 Engage in the conversation

During your time at university, hopefully you'll be studying hard and getting the grades you need - but don't assume that's all you have to do. If you truly care about marketing enough to chase a career in the industry, get in on the conversation as soon as you can.

Read the industry news websites, follow the agencies and brands doing interesting work and never be afraid of sharing your opinion - it's as valid and necessary as anyone else's. Write about the things that inspire you. Join the discussion. Make yourself heard.?

#3 Indulge your passions

Marketing may not be your number one passion. And that's OK. In fact, you can even use that to your advantage. Maybe you love fashion, music, video games or sport. Maybe it's even a specific style, genre or club. Whatever it is, I bet you'll find a marketing connection.

And this is where we go back to #2. Engaging in the conversation about marketing will open your eyes to new things, but focusing specifically on one field will sustain you. Not only that, but in the longer term it might even give you a valuable sector specialism.

#4 Sharpen your toolbox

Your university degree will allow you to explore the fundamentals of marketing, but there's more you can do for yourself. This is an industry that's always changing - and every time someone prints a book on the subject, it'll change again before the ink is dry.

Learn the tools of the trade, whether it's disciplines like copywriting and design, or software platforms for analytics, project management or content production. And, once you've got these tools, keep them sharp so you're always one step ahead of the next industry change.

#5 Look for employers with the right culture

Whether you want to intern at an agency or brand, it's worth doing the research on how they operate. How does a company or agency treat staff? Does it value its junior team and encourage them to grow with the company? Or do people leave after six months?

Every employer is different. Some will tap into your enthusiasm and encourage your ideas, others will give you a task and expect you to get on with it. And don't be fooled into thinking one is better than the other - the trick is finding a balance of both.?