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Finding Our Way | Episode 4 | Eyeweb Unplugged
In this episode, we chatted about how lots of people in marketing didn’t start there. Our paths in were far from traditional, but that’s often what makes them work. Whether it was psychology, design, gaming or just a fascination with how people think, we explored how different backgrounds can shape a successful marketing career and why curiosity is often more important than qualifications.
About the episode
The Unlikely Routes That Lead to Marketing
It turns out that most marketers didn’t study marketing at all. Some came from psychology or design, others from sales, management, or simply playing around with tech. And that’s one of the things that makes the industry so interesting.
At school, we’re asked to make huge decisions far too early. Choosing GCSEs or career paths at thirteen makes little sense when most people don’t know what they want to do. But those early interests, even if they seemed random at the time, often plant the seeds that grow into something more. Whether it’s editing a Myspace profile, playing Minecraft or wondering why a poster on the Underground catches your eye, those moments often lead somewhere, even if it takes years to connect the dots.
Psychology, Design and a Love for How Things Work
Marketing is all about people. Understanding what makes someone pause, pay attention or take action. That’s why psychology, design and communication skills often lead people into this space without them realising it.
Studying psychology teaches you to think about behaviour and motivation. A design background helps you see how visuals influence perception. Even time spent gaming can lead to an interest in coding or problem-solving. And once you’ve got a foot in the door, it’s often the ability to self-teach, research and figure things out that keeps you moving forward.
You don’t need a marketing degree to be a great marketer. You just need the ability to learn, to ask good questions, and to think like a consumer.
Why Diverse Backgrounds Make Stronger Marketers
What came through in this conversation is how marketing is richer for having people from different backgrounds. Everyone brings something unique to the table — a different way of thinking, a different experience, a different skillset. And that diversity helps us connect with wider audiences and approach problems from more than one angle.
Whether you’ve come from sales, management or science, your path into marketing shapes how you approach your work. And that’s a good thing. It’s proof that careers don’t have to be linear, and that sometimes the best experience comes from just getting stuck in.
Routes into Marketing - Part 1 | Episode 5 | Eyeweb Unplugged
At 13, most of us had no clue what we wanted to do, and that’s fine. This episode looks at how career paths can twist and turn from retail to volunteering to creative side gigs. With no degree and no clear plan, it was a real-world experience that shaped the journey. Turns out marketing isn’t one straight line but a mix of creativity, curiosity and learning on the job.
