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What Did You Want to Be at 13?

By the time one of us was 13, we’d already given up hope of getting that Hogwarts letter. It’s funny because that’s also the age when you’re asked to start making real decisions about your future. Choosing your GCSEs might feel like ticking a few subject boxes, but those choices can shape the direction your life takes. And at 13, you’re still figuring out who you are.

Some people know exactly what they want to do. But for many of us, things shift as we grow. That’s not a failure. It’s normal. We just don’t talk about it enough.

A Shift from Creative to Technical

At school, creative subjects like art and textiles felt like the right path. But as A-levels came around, maths and further maths joined the mix, and things started to click in a different way. It wasn’t that the creative side wasn’t enjoyable. It just became clear that the more technical, data-led work was a better fit.

That self-awareness doesn’t always come through classroom lessons. Sometimes, finding passion comes from actually doing the work. And that blend of creativity and logic turns out to be a pretty solid foundation for a career in marketing.

Skipping University and Learning on the Job

Going to university is often pushed as the natural next step. But not everyone feels ready, and not everyone needs it. Taking a full-time job in retail straight from college offered a different kind of education, learning confidence, teamwork and real-world experience.

Working as a team leader, managing people and handling responsibilities gave a clearer picture of what felt fulfilling. And when it was time to move on, that hands-on experience proved far more useful than a degree chosen just for the sake of it.

The Unexpected Route into Marketing

From retail to customer service to internal sales, the path into marketing wasn’t a straight line. Every step creates more interaction with clients, more insight into how businesses communicate and a growing curiosity about how marketing works.

That curiosity led to a new opportunity in a marketing team. There may have been no formal training, but provided plenty of transferable skills. Sometimes that’s all it takes. A bit of initiative and a willingness to learn on the job.

Finding the Right Fit Through Experience

Getting stuck into different aspects of marketing, email campaigns, content, and client communication highlighted just how broad the industry is. It’s not one job. It’s lots of little jobs that fit together, and sometimes the best way to find your place is to try a bit of everything.

There’s real value in learning by doing. Not everyone thrives in academic environments. For those who prefer hands-on learning, that variety is what helps things stick. You start seeing where your strengths lie without needing to define yourself too early.

Volunteering That Builds a Career

One member of the team discovered that their local theatre company unexpectedly became a valuable training ground. Volunteering to help with marketing, social media, and press gave practical experience. 

Even though it was unpaid, the skills were very real. And when that led to freelance projects and eventually a full-time job in marketing, it proved what matters most isn’t always qualifications. It’s initiative, enthusiasm and showing what you can do.

The Winding Way into Marketing

Neither of us planned to work in marketing. We didn’t set out with a five-year plan or a degree to match. But every step, from retail jobs to side projects to creative experiments and volunteering, helped us get here.

Marketing is full of people who arrived in unexpected ways. Some are data-driven. Some are creative. What brings us together is an understanding of people and a drive to communicate in meaningful ways. We might not have seen this coming at 13, but we’re glad we ended up here.