Noémie Sermet

Noémie Sermet

MSc Creative Advertising Strategy, 2024

About me

ABOUT MY CAREER

I first discovered the city of Manchester in 2017 while traveling to the UK to improve my English skills. I quickly fell in love with the energy and creativity of the city and decided that I would move there permanently in the future. I also knew that Manchester was one of the biggest creative and digital hubs in the UK, which was crucial information. Over the years, I met a few people who had completed their bachelor’s degrees at Manchester Met, and they were pleased with the quality of the education they received. When I looked further into it, what stood out to me was that Manchester Met offers a wide range of marketing and creative postgraduate programmes, which was exactly what I wanted to study.

During my Masters, I gained skills in marketing, social media content, advertising, and collaborative work. As a Graphic Designer, I realised the correlation between my job and the marketing field, as one cannot go without the other. Working with different marketing teams in my previous job led me to study Creative Advertising Strategy, as I was eager to learn more about the industry. At Manchester Met, one of my courses was Live Client Brief. We had to work collaboratively with other students to create a marketing campaign for a real-life client. This course was demanding but taught me about the process and creation of a real marketing campaign. Some of the classes I had taught me the foundations of social media management and content strategy, which were subjects I was particularly interested in. I also deep-dived into the advertising industry. Various lectures with external speakers provided a great way to learn about the complexity of marketing and inspired me to pursue this career path further. I am now using these tools at work on a day-to-day basis, and I am looking to improve my skills and potentially secure a full-time job in that field. I think being able to manage both marketing and design in the industry is a strong plus. I also feel proud to know I have more than one string to my bow, and that my range of competencies is broader.

I participated in various events and lectures organised by Manchester Met. Some of the events were hosted in external locations, where we were able to connect with professionals from the creative industry and discuss topics related to design, marketing, and professional development. This led me to discover new places and agencies based in Manchester that I had never heard of before. I also took part in an event specifically created for marketing students and open to all universities in the UK. For a day, I collaborated with external participants on a brief and received feedback from professionals. I also attended many lectures with external guests. These events were incredibly useful as they provided opportunities to expand our knowledge, meet our creative peers, and benefit from professional expertise. I gained insights from experts working in major companies and understood the complexity of diverse roles in the marketing field.

I got my current job two months before graduation, at the end of the summer of 2023. Someone I am in contact with, who knows the agency I’m working for, reached out to me and offered me the role. They knew I was open to finding a job after the end of my studies. I am a Senior Lead Graphic Designer. My responsibilities include understanding the significance of a ‘brand’ and its purpose, delivering creative work seamlessly across multiple channels, effectively targeting my clients’ key audiences, and collaborating with a team of designers. Visual communication involves strategy, art direction, illustration, production, copywriting, and web design.

I recently applied to the Digital Marketing Growth Programme held by the company Girls in Marketing, which I discovered through professional guest lectures at Manchester Met. I also plan on applying to an Art Direction short course at the University of the Arts London. Constantly expanding my knowledge is essential and something that excites me. It allows me to grow in different environments and create new connections.

MY TOP TIP FOR STUDENTS

My top tip for finding a graduate job would be to develop and entertain your connections. The more time I spent in the industry, the more I realised the importance of networking. Great connections can inspire you to do better, help you evolve in the industry, and sometimes even help you get a job. Attending events can help with networking, and as we know, a connection can lead to another. Moreover, events are a great way of keeping up with trends and continuing to learn, especially in the creative fields, where staying up to date is crucial. Finally, having a strong portfolio is important. Ask for help, keep your goals in mind, improve your skills, and open yourself to all opportunities.

I’M INSPIRED BY

I am inspired by the work and ambitions of other creatives, which pushes me to set my goals higher, open myself to any possibilities, and constantly search for new ideas or routes to explore in the creative industry.

WHY I LOVE MANCHESTER MET

Manchester Metropolitan is a diverse university with numerous events organized weekly, which led me to meet incredible new friends and participate in various professional and social activities. The staff is accommodating and frequently engages with students. Manchester Met also held activities and focus groups for international students to improve their English skills. I felt welcomed and supported. I also loved the extensive campus, which offered multiple facilities including study zones, friendly cafés, and a Student Union involved in every student’s journey.

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