Zack studied Marketing and Public Relations, graduating from Manchester Met in 2022. We caught up with him for an update on life after uni.

instagram.com/zackhipps

What did you love about studying at Manchester Met?

I loved the freedom you got to make your course your own, there are high key some amazing connections and tools/software you can utilise at Man Met.  As much as I was focused on my course I did a LOT of free work outside of it, I took jobs where I could help with social media. I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I wasn’t in university. I was always applying stuff I was learning in university to the companies I was working at, it really worked symbiotically to help me understand theory and real-world application. 

What did you do after graduating?

I started working at a small publication/agency during my second year, and straight after uni, I picked up more shifts there. I built up my network and understanding of my desired industry and constantly was purchasing my own equipment (such as a camera, laptop etc) before eventually I left to pursue full-time freelancing. The first month or so was very difficult, however six months on, I couldn’t imagine any other life than the one I am living now. 

So…what are you doing now?

I have progressed with my freelancing career to the point I have had to register as a business and taken on my first part-time employee. Now I run a small agency with a focus on food and drinks marketing in Manchester.

I also continued with my Instagram @zachhipps page and in March I signed with an influencer agency- they have really helped develop my page and content style which has resulted in huge growth and a great extra income.

How did your course prepare you for your work?

I actually find it CRAZY how often principles of marketing theory comes into my work. Once I walked into a meeting with my previous boss and he verbatim talked me through something I had learnt in university, and I was able to show off a deeper understanding. Since starting my own agency I have genuinely gotten some of my old university books out to help me write a pitch too. I think because I was so focused on applying theory to real-world brands (I had connections to) while I was in university, I now have an understanding of when to use them or ‘go back to basics’

What advice would you give current students?

Start a blog (TikTok/Instagram page) about something you love, post on it as much as you can and develop your content creation skills.  I know so many people who have graduated from tonnes of different places with tonnes of different degree types, and it feel like SO many of them are entering content creation, its fun, its creative and its only going to get more competitive – so make sure you’ve had practice before leaving university! Also if it is something you are passionate about, it can be something you show as an industry expertise to your desired workplace – double win.