Zainab studied Business and Marketing at Manchester Met, graduating in 2022. We caught up with her about life after graduation and her journey into the world of work.

What did you most enjoy about Manchester Met?

Honestly, after my first Open Day visit to the campus, I knew I’d be studying here. I’d say I loved the people the most. You meet so many incredible people from across the country and it’s the perfect opportunity to make friends and get to know others. The atmosphere is so friendly, lively and positive and I always felt weirdly at home. In terms of location, you’re right in the heart of Manchester so there’s always something going on. There’s plenty to eat too so I’d say that’s a huge bonus! 

What did you do after graduating?

I spent most of the summer working from home then took myself on holiday (as any graduate deserves!) before starting my graduate role.

So…what are you doing now?

During my second year of uni, I decided to look for work experience in Marketing to gain some valuable experience working in the industry. I started out as a part-time Digital Marketing Assistant at Mosquito Digital, a Marketing agency based in Manchester. I worked remotely with the agency for about a year, really trying to learn as much as I could. 

Last summer, I applied for full-time roles after I’d graduated. It definitely wasn’t easy! After a couple of months applying, I was faced with two job offers in the same week. I accepted an offer from EG Group and now work as a Digital Marketing Co-ordinator at the EG Group for two of our foodservice brands, Cinnabon and Sbarro UK. I work on a range of marketing activities such as social media, events and influencer and email marketing. 

How did your course prepare you for your role?

My course was primarily theory based so I think this helped me to understand the purpose and psychology of Marketing. As I work for a large business now, learning about different business functions and structures helped me to understand how the business works. It can sometimes feel daunting when you walk into the big corporate world and you aren’t familiar with how things work. Speaking with tutors who have worked in the industry really helps as they offer so much valuable advice.

What advice would you give current students?

Do your best and don’t give up! To make the most of your degree, you definitely need to put in the extra work. Spend more time learning about things that really interest you on the course and you’ll find it much more enjoyable. Don’t give up if you face struggles along the way. As a student, it’s normal to face rejection. Everything works out in the end so don’t feel disheartened. I faced hundreds of rejections before landing my current role so keep applying and you’ll end up with the job that’s meant for you.