MoM Student Survival Guide

Are you feeling a little out of touch? Don't know which way is up and which way is down? In the last post, Marketing Matters covered the Marketing essentials necessary to get by this semester. This time, MoM asks some current and graduating students about how they've survived university life so far. 

What do you wish you knew about the course before you started studying?

Mitha, graduating MoM student, Digital Marketer at Glass Financial.
Time flies. 1.3 years will go by so quickly without you even realising it. So make sure to maximise that time. Don't isolate yourself, make the most of what the university can offer - from colleagues, experienced tutors, business-based clubs, events, and even resource access in the library that you'd usually have to pay thousand bucks for if you didn't have the free access from uni.

Ayesha, current MoM student, Director of Training at ILSC Sydney. 
The most important thing when it comes to this course is time management. It may look like the assignment is due in 7 days but trust me, next thing you know you only have 7 hours left! If I knew juggling work, family, and full time studies would be that hectic I probably would have considered things differently. So please do not underestimate the time and effort it consumes to get a distinction. Take things step by step. Maybe it seems daunting initially, but once you get in there you will surely enjoy the journey! Just know that we are all here for each other, so please reach out if you need any help!

What is the most rewarding thing about the Master of Marketing program?

Kevin, graduating MoM student. 
The most rewarding thing about the Master of Marketing program for me is being able to gain and share knowledge from aspiring and/or experienced marketers all over the globe. It's the most notable reward for me because not only have they helped me grow as a marketer, but they've also become friends that I will cherish for life.

Donna, graduating MoM student. Marketing Manager at Bridge Climb, Sydney. 
The Masters really gave me insights into many areas of marketing which i didn't have a great deal of exposure to. Global marketing, for instance, was something that interested me. Looking into ways to market to different cultures and create thoughtful and indepth strategies that are aligned. This will certainly assist me in my new role. Also, the opportunity to work alongside amazing like-minded people and bounce ideas off of others was extremely beneficial. Marketing to me is all about "what's next?" and asking the question of "how can we better engage with our customers and continue to improve what we offer them?". It was a breath of fresh air to be among people striving to do the same.

How has the degree prepared you for your career?

Nicole, current MoM student. Communication Coordinator at Institutional Analytics and Planning, University of Sydney. 
This degree has prepared me for my career by covering all facets of the marketing world. It truly opened my eyes to the different aspects of marketing that give grads a competitive edge. Performance reporting, internal marketing and the hands-on experience of working as a consultant are only some examples of what provides a relevant well-rounded experience regardless of the position you obtain post-graduation.

How do you balance the study load with work, family, and friends?

Ashleigh, current MoM student. Healthcare Professional and Expert Sales Representative at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK).
In regards to work life balance - I think the main thing is being extremely organised with your study plans and preparations, and set times and goals for doing assessments. Also try and work with others who have similar work ethic so you may find it easier to stay on track. Ensure to always have study breaks and try and do something fun and with family and friends at least once a week. Go outside - you can study and get some vitamin D too.

Daniela, graduating MoM student.
Overall, one of the most important things I've learnt during my experience was to manage time efficiently. Everyone is capable of accomplishing anything they want to but time is a key player to achieve those goals. Being under pressure during hectic situation makes you become adaptable and quick thinking in any circumstance. My advice is to fill the schedule as much as possible because having free time ends up in procrastination. Instead, if you designate a set time to any task, you can accomplish so much more.

What tips do you have for students commencing the Consulting Project?

Kim, graduating MoM student. Current Marketing Manager at Get Craft. 
The ethics approval is a tedious process that takes a really long time. So I recommend submitting it as early as possible when you get to part two of the Consulting Project. My client was the University of Sydney's Centre for Continued Learning, so it was a low risk category, but it still took two months to receive the response after the initial application. It can take even longer if you need to do research with children.

Rebecca, current MoM student. Project Manager.
For me the most challenging aspect of the consulting project was the amount of time it took putting together the transcripts. It takes about 3 times the length of the recording to type it out and then additional time to correct typos and formatting. You also have to listen to your own voice in slow motion for hours and hours! I ended up having two interviews transcribed professionally and it cleared my head to focus on the project. It's around $1.40/minute, but it can add up quickly. For example, one of my interviews was 48 minutes long. I wish I'd put money aside in advance because it was worth it. There are phone apps out there, but I didn't really trust them to do an accurate job.

Do you have any other helpful tips for commencing students?

Lizette, current MoM student. Community and Events Manager, Incubate, University of Sydney.

1. In regards to class, learn the basics. Don't expect everything you need to be taught in class so prepare to allot time outside of the classroom to study; this is a master program after all. 
2. Prepare your meals properly because you'll end up eating junk food if you don't plan
3. If you're working, make sure you inform your colleagues and people around you about you class commitments ASAP. This becomes highly important during assessment time when you have due dates.
4. People wise, be smart about who you work with; this is your career so manage your team wisely. If team members don't pull their weight with work, pull them into line. The most stress I've gotten was mainly from group work.
5. What makes good friends doesn't necessarily make good colleagues. In the university environment, you're looking for colleagues
6. The university offers lots of opportunities on campus. Think about what interests you the most. You'd be surprised about all the different areas you can get support. A lot of MoM students also work on campus, and they'd be happy to give you a recommendation or referral to someone who might know more. 
7. On the other hand, don't be afraid to try new things, there's no better place than uni to do that! Attend a meetup or society outing even if the activity is something you've never done before. 

MoM students interviewd by Alyce Brierley. 

Current student in the Master of Marketing program at the University of Sydney Business School.