Bekki Connolly
BA (Hons) Business Enterprise with Human Resource Management, 2015
About me
- Insight & Data Executive at Mail Metro Media
- Studied: BA (Hons) Business Enterprise with Human Resource Management, 2015
- Contact me on LinkedIn
ABOUT MY CAREER
My first role after graduation was as a Trainee Communications Consultant at a PR Agency. I found this role through the Manchester Met Job Hub. My work experience and volunteering positions were the main things that helped me to get the role as I had spent my time in Manchester getting as much experience as possible.
I currently work as an Insight & Data Executive for Mail Metro Media. Initially, I began as a sales executive and through development I came to realise that the part of the job I enjoyed the most was the insights and data analysis, which are things I had never really thought to look into before I started working for Mail Metro Media. My company supported me start a Project Data Analyst apprenticeship with Projecting Success and I am now a qualified data analyst. My job entails providing audience insights for sales pitches; providing data targeting strategies for campaigns; providing audience insights on segments and campaigns; creating, improving and managing first party data segments; building bespoke segments for advertisers; monitoring trends in data segments and providing actions insights for the sales team; building and managing first-party data segments to continuous improve MMM’s data offering; providing audience insights on campaigns using first party and third party data tools; building dashboards with Power BI to visualise data and communicate trends to the sales team and partners; scripting, launching and analysing surveys; and liaising with data management platforms.
In addition to my day job, I work as a Marketing & Branding Manager for an events SME called Red Cardinal Music. I started working for the company during university and my role progressively grew. My role within the company varies vastly with tasks including identifying marketing and PR opportunities; creating marketing strategy; writing and distributing press releases; promotion implementation; running stalls at events; brand management; creating and maintaining brand relationships; creating digital graphics and posters for print; DJing; and quiz writing and hosting. Music is my passion and this role is my creative outlet in the music industry.
My module for Digital and Social Media Marketing Communications Management at Manchester Met has been the biggest help in my career. I have worked in the digital marketing space for the majority of my career based on how interesting I found this module!
Before attending university, I was very nervous about presentations. Throughout university, I was required to present for assignments, and this gave me the push I needed to learn how to present with confidence. I did this through presentation workshops run through the career hub and their information booklets. During my Entrepreneurs, Business and Society module, we were required to run debates every fortnight which really helped me to gain confidence in presenting - the tutor and the students were all a massive help!
I jump at any chance at work to take part in any training and development opportunities offered. From Advanced PowerPoint Skill workshops to Sales Techniques. One of the courses I have recently attended was based around Building Career Intelligence with Career Intelligence Academy and I would 100% recommend this to anyone who is looking to start or build their career and are not sure how to approach it.
MY TOP TIP FOR STUDENTS IS
Don’t wait until your final year to think about your graduate job! Spend as much time as possible speaking to the amazing team in the Employability Hub throughout your time at university, the service is completely free, and their knowledge is extensive. The hub is full of guides that can help you to work out what career you would like to pursue and how to get there.
One of the things that I did whilst at university - and still do now! - is looking for job vacancies for what you would consider is your dream job, make a list of the job skills that the person specification requires and then look for internships and volunteering opportunities that will allow you to gain those skills and experiences. In job interviews, this will show your dedication to self-development and give some interesting stories to tell. Again, the employability hub is a great way to find these opportunities if you’re not sure where to start.
I’M INSPIRED BY
I am inspired by people who work hard but play hard! It’s important to have that balance and I think a lot of people forget that. For me, it’s exciting to meet people who are respected for their expertise and work ethic but also passionately pursue their interests and have fun.
WHY I LOVE MANCHESTER MET
I cannot praise the employability hub and its staff highly enough - they were a fantastic help from my first visit in my first year of university and even still after graduation when I was looking for a new role.