Career Diagram and Plan

"The job I would ultimately like to have is to be a Social Media Manager for a large company, for example Cosmopolitan Magazine or MAC Cosmetics. This is because I am interested in the new digital media era and I would like to work for a company to strategise and increase their brand's awareness. Additionally I would like to help and advise customers, and I would do this through modern social media sites, like Twitter and Instagram."

Career Plan

Job Description: Social Media Manager

A Social Media Manager plans and implements social media strategies, monitors trends, and in general manages a company's online presence.

Job Skills and Requirements:

• Writing: I will need to know how to write effective copy in a lot of different styles, for websites, Twitter (e.g. under 140 characters), Facebook, etc. A knowledge of writing for Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is also needed
• I can learn about SEO by working for my Dad
• I already have an understanding of using Twitter and Facebook, I will just have to adapt my writing style for the particular company that I am working for
• Research: I need to know what is happening in the constantly changing world of social and digital media and what the competitors are doing
• I can stay on top of local and worldwide news, and use Google to my advantage by searching about the evolving social and digital media world and I can keep tabs on the competitor's of the company I am working for
• Problem-Solving: I'll have to figure out how to best communicate a company's message on different platforms, and sometimes might need to communicate sensitive issues or deal with angry customers
• I can target answering issues that a lot of people would benefit from knowing about on platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, as everybody will have access to that information. However for more personal issues I can use e-mail, or a phone call
• Organisation: There are many different platforms, and new ones are being developed all the time. How I communicate on each, determining audience, and measuring tactics, will take organisation
• I will keep myself educated on the different media platforms so I understand how each one works differently. I already have a lot of common knowledge about how the different media platforms work, so it is just about keeping on top of that and using them to optimise the publicity for the company that I work for
• Interpersonal Skills: Even through writing, social media managers are a direct connection between a company and the public. Being friendly and approachable online is essential
• As I work and gather more experience, I will learn to communicate between the lines of formal and informal, making sure I am sensitive and friendly so I can keep the people who I am communicating with happy
• Technical Skills: I would work almost exclusively through computers. Understanding computers, SEO, internet access and being tech savvy is vital.
• I can take a digital marketing course to boost my confidence in issues such as SEO, for example with CAM Foundation (Diplomas in Digital Marketing and Marketing Communications)
• My Dad knows a bit about the technicalities of digital marketing so I can learn the essential skills from him

Main Plan: My main plan is to take a Gap Year and then go on to University in September 2017 to do a degree course in something related to marketing/PR/advertising. Taking a degree course will maximise my chances in getting a job in the field that I would like to work in (specifically PR, Public Relations). During my Gap Year I would like to work full time to save up money for my car insurance and to fund a new MacBook, both of which will help me work more efficiently, and having the use of a car will allow me to travel further if I manage to get some work experience.

Contingency Plan: My contingency plan is to carry on working full time for my Dad, and if I choose not to go to University to look at moving into marketing and advertising for my Dad's company, Taste of Italia (an Italian restaurant). This will be a useful starting point for my career because I will be working in the work sector that I would like and would be gaining valuable work experience for when I move on to work for other companies in places like Cambridge and London.

In Five Years: In five years I would like to have taken my Gap Year and graduated from University with a degree and work experience under my belt. I would like to take a University course that is four years long, including a work placement year, so I can get extra relevant work experience that will look good on my CV. I would also hopefully look at relocating to London to offer me better work opportunities, or at least find work in London and commute there (back up plan).

Other Job Options:
Community Manager
http://www.socialfresh.com/a-definitive-community-manager-job-description/
Public Relations (PR) Officer
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/public_relations_officer_job_description.htm

Helpful Links

http://nlegault.ca/2011/08/13/12-duties-of-a-social-media-manager/

http://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/best-social-media-manager-job-description