I need to trash out ideas for professional development. Any one up for it? (Any marketers around?)

[QuintessentialShadows]

I have come to a point where I think I could really benefit from some professional courses. (Note the plural) I have been very hands on for the last 10 years, not in the same field though, and done my job without any formal training. It has so far gone well, but I think I could do a lot better with theory behind me, and the benefit of group-work and sessions with a tutor.

I am working almost much full time. 9-15.00 (school run) and then continue for an hour or two in the evenings, catching up on emails and other online work.
Dh works longer hours. We have no family nearby to "offload" the children to (10 and soon 7).

I cannot afford to study full time, neither financially or time wise.

There is nobody I can really discuss this with as nobody really understand my job, what I do, and what I plan, as my friends are in different phases of their lives right now, and it just isnt convenient to go into any lengthy discussion, I will get Umm, and Ahhh, coupled with "sounds good" whatever I say...

I have moved away from a finance related role to a marketing related one in the last year, so there is much new territory for me.

I have a plan. I need to know if it sounds good.

1. Get my professional membership with the Chartered Institute of Marketing sorted.

1. Short day course in Social Media Marketing (think I get the gist of it, though) and get the 6/7 hours accreditation that you will get with a CIM membership.

I am thinking this or this

I am currently busy with project managing our new website, both content and product wise, dealing with copywriter, webmaster and designer. I need the SEO sorted, which involves playing around a bit and working out the best keywords that describe what we do, and feel that I would like to know more about this. We are bringing out new product lines shortly, and I need to tie this in with current website.
I am also working on planning our google adwords campaign, and analyzing data from both the campaign and google analytics. Not confident that the "learn on the job" approach is helping me as much as I would like...

Are there any other resources you think I can access for this?

1. Professional Diploma Marketing Online

or more general
Professional Diploma Marketing

I think I need the second more than the latter, and it is possible to take separate modules from the online marketing qualification.

Both these courses are blended learning, so a combination of web based and workshops so should be easy to fit in with work and family life.

I have been considering an MBA, but I dont think I have the time, the money, and I dont think I want the broad managerial scope. I like to delve deeper into marketing and get proper papers behind me.

Does it sound like a good plan? Is there anything else I could do?

Hello

Well done for coming up with a plan. Sounds good.

I was a marketing director, spent the last 1.5 years freelancing in marketing (mainly in the charity sector), but different sectors have different 'norms', but I'll give you my opinion for what it is worth...

CIM
I have the CIM (did the first 2 levels of exams back in the day) and it might have helped me not be discounted in the recruitment process when I was applying for jobs but I am not sure it has helped me much beyond that. I have found learning on the job has been the most help/use. However, that was as I was progressing in my career, if I was in your situ (moving into a new area) I could see the value in doing some study to complement my practical experience.

However, I do think it is worth belonging to the organisation, it brings some qudos and will keep you abreast of current issues. Most areas have an active branch too - so try to get along to a meeting. London (if you are in London, guessing from course links) there branch is very active with lots of events.

Courses
I agree with you that practical courses may be a better use of money/time in the short term. I also personally wonder if the online/digital longer courses/professional qualifications will date. Online/social media is ever evolving, but I haven't look into those sort of courses myself, so maybe I am not being fair on them.

The courses you have listed look good. I'd also look a:

• econsultancy.com/uk - a private membership body that offers courses, resources and news
• www.cipr.co.uk/coursefinder - the Chartered Institute of Public Relations offer a range of courses, not just on PR
• www.theidm.com/marketing-training/ - the Institute of Direct Marketing has recently added 'Digital' into their title, so their courses could be good

There might also be specialists for your sector. As an eg in charity sector there is www.charitycomms.org.uk/events/ and www.mediatrust.org/get-support/training/

Free events
In addition to paid for training, I would also start looking at free/cheap networking events that have a learning content. I find they are a good way to keep up-to-date with what is going on and meet others. Obviously you need to arrange to get there which might not be easy as they will be breakfast and evenings, but if you could get to one every month it might help? Start by googling marketing + networking. Search eventbrite.com, meetup.com and sign up to e-newsletters from orgs that offer events you might be interested in.

It is a great way to make contacts too, to learn from others.

Mentor
I have found mentors helpful in the past. Typically I have met somebody (usally outside the org) I have thought would be good and followed up with an email afterwards asking - so not to put them on the spot. I have then had a session every 4/6 weeks to run through a list of things that I want to talk about. I have tended to have 4 or 5 sessions. The kind people offered their time for free. In a previous job I prepared some mentor guidelines, I can send them to you if PM me.

You could also consider a paid for coach.

Next steps
It might also be useful to think about your next job could be and what skills you need for that. It sounds like you have a v flex role, so you might not actually be looking to leave at any point soon, but it might be worth downloading job specs for the next role up and spots the gaps.

Anyway, my thoughts. Not sure if they are any help.

Good luck!
WS

Mean kudos!

Thank you for such interesting and thoughtful advice. I have started looking at your links, and boy, I will be busy!
Sadly I feel like a small child in a candy shop.

Thanks again, I just had to return to this thread as I have spent the last few days mulling your ideas over in my head. So many things I had not thought about. I have had a look at my local chamber of commerce, and they do interesting events, even a SEO workshop for £20 at the end of the month, together with a local business school - definitely one to watch. The local college has a business school and they run a series of marketing, pr and advertising courses, for a very small cost, and I think this is a good place to start, one of their courses has a CIM accreditation at the end of it, which is optional. They do lots of one and two day intensive course, for 10% of the price of the ones offered in central london. I am aware they might not be as good, and not "count" for as much. But at the moment, I need the tools for my job more than I need Papers. I am sure anything I do will help me with the CIM qualifications anyway.

I will keep looking out for small events and small workshops that I can add to my working week. I have registered for a whole list of tradeshows and events. I feel I need to galvanise my knowledge, both of my industry (it is fast pace) and the marketing and pr side of things.

Thank you so much for such fantastic and useful feedback.