How did I even get into the digital marketing industry?

How did I ditch the chemistry coat and laboratory for setting up profitable digital marketing campaigns?

How did my most used word go from Benzene, Ethanol and all the “zenes” and “nols” to “digital marketing channels”,  “digital marketing strategy”, “social media management”, social media advertising” etc?

That’s one question that I must have to pause before providing a convincing answer.

It’s so because, one can barely imagine that a Chemisty graduate never got close to the laboratory, but chose to chart a new course in a hobby he picked up while at the university.

Having played in the digital marketing niche in Nigeria for close to a decade, pioneering the awareness of internet marketing in Nigeria, and picking up few awards along the line, it’s been my utmost desire to advance and update my digital marketing skills, but then to get the plans off the ground hasn’t been easy, until late September of 2022.

The journey to Salford, the home of the prestigious University of Salford, wasn’t quite easy – but worth every bit of the tension.

At exactly 9 am on the 31st of January,  with some anxiety and a bit of trepidation, I walked into my first class at the University.

On that first day, I listened to Dr. Shaun dish out a list of do’s and don’t that further set my head in a battle.

A voice kept echoing not so clear points of view into my head. I ignored all of it until Dr. Shaun announced a 5000 word.

“You’ve been writing since God knows when Patrich” another voice tried to damped the former. I logged into the school portal, looked at the assignment brief, and it was about a company I have never heard of in my entire life –Boohoo. The name alone almost makes me regret my decision of coming to the UK.

However, hard work, focus, and determination were key to making the most of the opportunity. It was a difficult task to balance my studies, family, and social life, but at the end, I picked up great time management skills.

Assignment done, and I was can’t be prouder with myself, not just for scoring high, but for the along the line lessons picked up, top of which is the skill of research. A skill that’s going to shape a lot of my activities post-Salford.

The second module only waited 6 days after the first to come knocking.

It was another assignment that needed me to create a professional brand of myself, a herculean task obviously… but with the sole intent of pushing my abilities, and preparing me to approach life after my postgraduate degrees at Salford Business School.

 There were many tasks in this assignment at different stages. Students are required to create a personal online brand through search and social media marketing. Anyone who undertakes this task will be able to show how digital marketing tools can help brands gain influence.

I had many conversations with myself about the assignment and my first attempts to think about it ended up with me running thoughts through my head. It was a difficult task to reflect on my experiences at Salford Business School and how that will help me in a digital marketing job. I was curious if a job in digital marketing would be a good fit for me.

It’s impossible to emphasize how much my experience studying in the UK was influenced by the many things that went on simultaneously, adapting to the culture and people of another country.

My family and I just moved to the UK this year. It is a difficult journey that affects everyone who takes on a relocation plan. I witnessed people searching for answers everywhere I looked and realized the importance of providing support for applicants at all stages of their journey to the United Kingdom.

Before I could fly to the UK, I decided to take a step and find the largest digital space that would allow me to provide the information I needed. I began a journey that has brought me much praise and popularity among the students who have joined the school with the help of the information I gave them.

This assignment allowed me to critically assess the career path I believe is best for me. I have had the chance to meet people from different backgrounds. This has allowed me to make the right decision and discuss options. This is the path of an education consultant in the UK.

I will invest a lot of money in this, get some credentials, and most importantly, channel the knowledge and practical experience garnered to scaling my digital marketing agency, where we speak and dine digital marketing advertising, digital marketing management, digital marketing channels and strategies etc.

On the side, I have plans to take serious, my newfound hobby of helping my countrymen who wish to take advantage of the sound educational facilities in the UK to advance their careers. I am already in talks with some authorities to see the possibility of partnership, with the aim of helping facilitate easy admissions, visa processing etc.

Generally, my experience in the United Kingdom has changed the way I see the world, no doubt the knowledge I’ll be acquiring in and off the classroom will in no small way sharpen my aspirations and prepare me for a career as a digital marketing manager.

 Patrick Ogidi is a Digital Marketing MSc student of Salford Business School, Manchester, United Kingdom