Giulia Barazza
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Royal College of Physicians
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
Soon after I left Exeter, I started helping small brands build their social media profiles and gain more visibility. Realising marketing was an interesting yet unexplored path for me, I enrolled in a Level 3 Digital Marketer apprenticeship to build digital marketing skills and land an entry job in the industry. After a couple of years spent working in different SMEs, I moved to London to work for the Royal College of Physicians, taking full responsibility for the marketing strategy for the organisation’s event venues. After only one year, I was promoted to Events Marketing Manager and I still fully manage and execute the marketing strategy for two successful commercial brands.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
Marketing is an exciting industry where experimenting and playing with ideas and trends is extremely valued. I had always been interested in social media and blog writing, and it was amazing to discover that a degree in English can open the doors to a successful career in marketing. What I love about my job is how varied it can be. If you work in digital marketing for a small or medium company, or in a small team, you will be able to develop several skills, from social media management to SEO, graphic design and partnership management. Variety is what makes a job great, and this is what I love about my job. As I now cover a marketing role in the hospitality industry, what I also love is the people working in this sector: everyone is so friendly and sociable!
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member of the Pole Fitness society.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I specialised in Victorian studies, and I loved how varied the programme was. My lecturers were really knowledgeable and always started interesting debates in class. I particularly enjoyed writing my dissertation, as I was allowed to spend a lot of time in the archives and read manuscripts that were not available in the library.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
While searching for universities with a good reputation for English literature and especially Victorian literature, Exeter stood out as one of the most recommended universities.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
As an international student, I think that studying abroad (even for a year) really helped me come out of my comfort zone and strengthen my problem solving skills. My MA in English studies taught me how to be creative, analytical, detail focused and eloquent, which are skills I have to heavily rely on in my current job.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Just go for it! If you have a flair for writing and everything creative, the chances are that you will be a great marketer. English students are thought to be creative yet analytical, and these are great skills to succeed in a marketing career.
