As a marketing student, my work is measured in semesters, not quarters. I scroll
through LinkedIn not for connections, but to compare. My feed is a highlight reel
of internships and jobs asking for “2+ years of experience” for entry-level
positions, and peers who seem to have it all figured out. I say “I’m excited to
graduate,” but really, I’m terrified. I hear about AI replacing jobs, about the cost
of living rising faster than graduate salaries, and I wonder if the degree I’m
working for is just an insanely expensive ticket to a waiting room. We feel the
pressure to have a “put-together” life while saving every dollar, watching others
travel and achieve, all while wondering, “Do I actually know how to do this?”
Our greatest pain isn’t a difficult exam; it’s the fear that the industry won’t have
a place for us. Our greatest gain isn’t a high grade, but a chance to learn from
someone who’s been where we are.
The Top Talent Marketing Programme was the bridge I needed. Learning was
followed by doing. It allowed us to take frameworks, terminologies and apply
them in a real agency or brand environment. My experience was phenomenal
because it was holistic. It addressed the whole student's fears, the frustrations,
and the burning need to be ready. I'm walking away with a clarified path, a
professional network and the confidence that comes from having been in the
room where it happens. This journey taught me that knowledge of the industry
is essential. The programme revealed the depth of marketing, showing me that
this field is not a single track, but a broad landscape of specialties worth
exploring. Most importantly, it reinforced that it is never too late to pivot, to
challenge yourself, and to carve out a new path.
To any student wondering how to cross the bridge: programmes like this are the
answer. The Marketing Association gave us a glimpse of the industry and the
courage to walk through the door.
Source: Ashley Sng, 10 December 2025