I love love LOVED the idea of being in Marketing. In fact, I genuinely believed that Marketing was my happily ever after and everything would be perfect in my life. Looking back now, I see how silly I was being. As much as I love my job and everything that comes with it, there are some challenges that I never saw coming. So, for anyone considering this career path, here are 7 things that completely surprised me.
1. People Assuming Marketing is “Easy” or “Fun”
On the surface, marketing might look like it’s all about posting memes or creating viral content. And while those things do come into play in some roles, there’s so much more to it. I’ve had people tell me, “You just play on social media all day, don’t you?” Or, “I wish I had your job- it seems so fun!” The truth? It’s a lot more strategic, data-driven and deadline-driven than anyone realizes. It can be fun but it’s also a TON of work.
2. Other People Don’t Know What I Do
My family is especially guilty of this one. I don’t know what they think I do and I’ve tried explaining it a few times but I don’t think they get it. I often have to explain the bigger picture of how a Marketing team works and then I can see their eyes glazing over so I hurry to change the topic. Marketing is such a broad field, and sometimes, people have no idea what exactly that means. When I say I’m a marketer, I get everything from, “Oh, so you’re a social media manager?” to “So, you just write stuff?” It’s not always easy to explain, especially when the world of marketing is constantly evolving. I could be writing today and then working on email automations tomorrow.
3. The Long (Often Unpaid) Hours
My job doesn’t always stop at 5PM. Especially now as a freelancer. While flexibility is one of the perks, it also means that you often find yourself working late into the night or on weekends. It can get tiring, especially when deadlines are approaching, but it’s all part of pushing for the best results. This is one the reasons I advise against pursuing a Marketing career unless you really do love it.
4. The Other Unpaid Work
There is ALOT of unpaid work that goes into being a marketer. Networking, upskilling reading up on industry news. This work isn’t always rewarded financially, but it’s essential for staying ahead of the curve. You’ve got to love the grind – or at least make peace with it – if you want to succeed.
6) Being “Always On”
Whether it’s responding to a customer query, dealing with a PR issue or making sure your campaigns are running smoothly, there’s rarely a break. And with the rise of mobile apps and 24/7 communication, the line between work and personal life can blur. Your phone becomes an extension of your office which means you’re never really off the clock. This is why taking care of your mental health is so important.
7) The Pressure to be Creative on Demand
There are days when ideas come easily but other days? Not so much. The pressure to constantly produce fresh, engaging content while keeping everything aligned with the brand strategy can be intense. And don’t even get me started on the endless rounds of edits and approvals. Creativity is a muscle that needs time to stretch but in marketing we’re often expected to be at peak performance all the time.
Marketing is an amazing career, full of opportunities and challenges. While I didn’t expect some of these hurdles, they’ve only made me a stronger and more adaptable marketer. If you’re considering this field, just know that it’s not all fun and games- but it’s definitely worth the ride. It’s a career that requires creativity, resilience and a whole lot of grit. And when it all comes together, it’s incredibly rewarding.
