Through the process of completing a MSc, you’ll apply what you are learning to a real life project in your own organisation. The analysis and recommendations you’ll make about a particular market, product or process will lead to transformative improvement if implemented and make a significant impact. Delivering a high value strategic project like this sees many MSc students promoted quickly after completing their studies.

The level of application involved in MSc study means that you’ll be able to map out an attainable career path you may not have thought was possible prior to study. It will equip you with strategic processes and methodologies that will mean you’ll have a greater understanding of digital marketing management and operation. You’ll be able to confidently offer more value and you’ll move through your organisation, or achieve a move or make the switch to lucrative self-employment.

One of the key career progression aspects is unlocking the door to more senior positions. Aligning a MSc course of study with several years of progressive work experience is the perfect combination to ensure you are considered for and achieve Head of / Director positions because you are offering more strategic value.

Accessing more senior roles because of the understanding and application insights you’ve gained through MSc study means you’ll inherently begin to manage other people. This opens up a whole new set of skills to develop as you manage the workloads and development of others. Nurturing other people is a powerful attribute of business leaders and an ability to take people with you naturally elevates you and the concept of marketing in your organisation.

Taking on more senior roles and managing teams means that you manage ever increasing marketing budgets. An MSc level qualification supports your understanding of the key fiscal aspects of a senior digital marketing role and equips you to more innovative and implement activities that will be of greater benefit to your organisation and its customers. Because you have access to different strategies and methodologies you’ll intuitively know which decisions are good investment decisions.

Studying for an MSc in Digital Marketing supports the concept of the T-shaped professional. A T-shaped Marketer is a highly prized individual because they have a good working understanding of most key aspects of the marketing mix but they specialise in 1-3 areas. So if you’re especially adept at digital strategy, content marketing and paid media particularly (or other combinations), your impact is going to be considerable.

Whether you study full or part time, an MSc learning experience puts you on a journey with a number of other students from other organisations who will become contacts for life. But unlike conventional undergraduate studies where it is more based on friendship, at MSc level there is a strong professional connection which will doubtless open doors and create opportunities post study.

An important personal aspect of studying for an MSc is the credibility it brings to you as a marketing professional. It’s critical at whatever stage of your career that you invest in your personal brand as this helps tighten your network and ensure you are front of mind for any potential opportunities. Documenting and sharing your studies, sharing wins, lightbulb moments and how you are applying it are all powerful ways to do this.

Post study and once MSc students are established in their careers, there are many ways to take this notion of personal brand building further. The most rewarding can be in the area of giving back. This might include offering to speak or “guest expert” at events, online or on podcasts, writing articles or offering contributions to books or giving some consulting time – especially to students or not for profit organisations. All are effective ways to impact many more people as a result of a commitment to your own profession.