Welcome & Introductions

Hello all,

have you ever applied to a job and the team you applied for told you that they were a very "young" team, or that the company as such was very "young" (meaning: many of the employees are young of age), and at first you thought that was cool, but later on you asked yourself what actually happened to the employees that get older ..?

 That's what I want to know!

I work in direct marketing in lower management, and I wonder what happens to people working in marketing as they get older. There are way less middle-aged people working in marketing than young ones. Where did the Young-getting-older-ones go?

There are many accounts of ex-marketers who had a complete change of career; they open a B'n'B, produce their own wine or beer, start restaurating motorbikes, or something of that sort. That's not what I mean. Also I'm not talking about top management marketers who get into the board.  I'm thinking of people who stay in the corporate world, but move into different fields.

Did you or somebody you know work in marketing at one point and then started doing something else? What career did you go into? And why? And how did you manage the change?

Looking forward to reading your stories!

Best,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------

Hi Leif,

My background is not in Marketing, but in Medicine with MBA. As with any career, I think opportunity to grow and organizational culture are the key factors in why people decide to stay on the same career or look for moving to different careers as they get older. This growth opportunity could mean different to different people in various business sectors I would imagine. 



------------------------------
Hemina Bailey
St Louis MO United States
------------------------------

Hello Hemina

Thank you for taking the time and sharing your viewpoint. You are certainly right - culture and surroundings are very important for deciding on future career changes. However, with marketing there seems to be a strong Impetus to leave the trade, statistically speaking: if people cannot move up the ranks at least into middle management, then they tend to leave not only the Company, but marketing as a career. 

So I wonder: once they have decided to leave marketing - where do they go?

Best,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 07:14
From: Hemina Bailey
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

My background is not in Marketing, but in Medicine with MBA. As with any career, I think opportunity to grow and organizational culture are the key factors in why people decide to stay on the same career or look for moving to different careers as they get older. This growth opportunity could mean different to different people in various business sectors I would imagine.



------------------------------
Hemina Bailey
St Louis MO United States
------------------------------

Hi Leif,

I understand your frustration--that does seem to be the trend in marketing. But that depends on where you work. If you're working for an agency, they're known for high turnover, and they'll probably always be like that. But if you're on a marketing team at a company or nonprofit, that number is very different.

And it could be that people don't stay in marketing roles long-term because they don't have the leadership skills they need for management. Or it could be that they get burned out from the stress of an agency; I have a good friend who's going through that right now. (She's feeling burned out, and she's considering a complete career change.) I have other friends who went into communications or became consultants.

If you're currently at an agency, maybe you should consider options at a corporation or a nonprofit organization. But if you're happy where you are, talk to your boss about your interest in advancing into management one day--they will probably be happy to hear it!

Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Tiffany Leong
Communications Manager, BGS
St. Louis MO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 12:53
From: LEIF GRÖSSINGER
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hello Hemina

Thank you for taking the time and sharing your viewpoint. You are certainly right - culture and surroundings are very important for deciding on future career changes. However, with marketing there seems to be a strong Impetus to leave the trade, statistically speaking: if people cannot move up the ranks at least into middle management, then they tend to leave not only the Company, but marketing as a career.

So I wonder: once they have decided to leave marketing - where do they go?

Best,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 07:14
From: Hemina Bailey
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

My background is not in Marketing, but in Medicine with MBA. As with any career, I think opportunity to grow and organizational culture are the key factors in why people decide to stay on the same career or look for moving to different careers as they get older. This growth opportunity could mean different to different people in various business sectors I would imagine.



------------------------------
Hemina Bailey
St Louis MO United States

Hello Tiffany

That is very interesting insight! It is true, agencies tend to have high turnovers. I used to work at one, and people normally left at the end of their second year - which is considered quite normal. So I understand what your friend is going through, and I wish her all the best with her next career move.

While it seems that the agency side kind of "burns" people, the corporate side (where I am now) tends to get stale and boring … Maybe that's one of the reasons people leave? Often it also seems to be linked to frustration as the corporate processes leave little room for creativity.

Your suggestion of having a look at nonprofits is very interesting indeed! I must admit that I have never considered this as an option and will def. examine it further.

Thanks again Tiffany - and Kind regards,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2019 10:05
From: Tiffany Leong
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

I understand your frustration--that does seem to be the trend in marketing. But that depends on where you work. If you're working for an agency, they're known for high turnover, and they'll probably always be like that. But if you're on a marketing team at a company or nonprofit, that number is very different.

And it could be that people don't stay in marketing roles long-term because they don't have the leadership skills they need for management. Or it could be that they get burned out from the stress of an agency; I have a good friend who's going through that right now. (She's feeling burned out, and she's considering a complete career change.) I have other friends who went into communications or became consultants.

If you're currently at an agency, maybe you should consider options at a corporation or a nonprofit organization. But if you're happy where you are, talk to your boss about your interest in advancing into management one day--they will probably be happy to hear it!

Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Tiffany Leong
Communications Manager, BGS
St. Louis MO
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 12:53
From: LEIF GRÖSSINGER
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hello Hemina

Thank you for taking the time and sharing your viewpoint. You are certainly right - culture and surroundings are very important for deciding on future career changes. However, with marketing there seems to be a strong Impetus to leave the trade, statistically speaking: if people cannot move up the ranks at least into middle management, then they tend to leave not only the Company, but marketing as a career.

So I wonder: once they have decided to leave marketing - where do they go?

Best,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich


Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 07:14
From: Hemina Bailey
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

My background is not in Marketing, but in Medicine with MBA. As with any career, I think opportunity to grow and organizational culture are the key factors in why people decide to stay on the same career or look for moving to different careers as they get older. This growth opportunity could mean different to different people in various business sectors I would imagine.



------------------------------
Hemina Bailey
St Louis MO United States

Hi Leif,

I worked in marketing for a few years before I decided to change and move away to become a teacher in South Korea. This decision was mostly inspired by my lack of interest in my job at the time and want for change. Teaching was always something I really wanted to do and the added benefit of travel was enticing enough to get me to apply. I then spent 2 years living and teaching in South Korea before moving to China for a year and finally moving back home to the US.

After all that time teaching you would think I would come home to do the same, but I didn't. I figured out working in marketing was more in line with my goals for the future so I searched for work in my old field. I was lucky to find work here at BGS as a marketer and I don't regret leaving the teaching life behind.

My career has changed hands several times over the years, but I've managed to take a lot away from those experiences and apply them to my current track. Every new job is a learning experience and every opportunity is a chance to grow. That's what all of this has taught me.

Thanks for writing such a great question!

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org
------------------------------

And thanks to you, Matt, for writing such a great reply! A very interesting story indeed, and I am happy that it worked out for you. I admit that teaching has always had a bit of an appeal to me, so I will have another look at this option, too.

When you were teaching, am I right in assuming that you taught English? Or was it more linked to your former profession?

Kind regards,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 12:52
From: Matt Plodzien
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

I worked in marketing for a few years before I decided to change and move away to become a teacher in South Korea. This decision was mostly inspired by my lack of interest in my job at the time and want for change. Teaching was always something I really wanted to do and the added benefit of travel was enticing enough to get me to apply. I then spent 2 years living and teaching in South Korea before moving to China for a year and finally moving back home to the US.

After all that time teaching you would think I would come home to do the same, but I didn't. I figured out working in marketing was more in line with my goals for the future so I searched for work in my old field. I was lucky to find work here at BGS as a marketer and I don't regret leaving the teaching life behind.

My career has changed hands several times over the years, but I've managed to take a lot away from those experiences and apply them to my current track. Every new job is a learning experience and every opportunity is a chance to grow. That's what all of this has taught me.

Thanks for writing such a great question!

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org
------------------------------

I taught English while I was abroad. It was definitely a change of pace from what I was used to working in marketing, but an enjoyable one. In the end however, I knew it wasn't something I wanted to do forever.

Do you happen to see yourself leaving the field of marketing?

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2019 14:12
From: LEIF GRÖSSINGER
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

And thanks to you, Matt, for writing such a great reply! A very interesting story indeed, and I am happy that it worked out for you. I admit that teaching has always had a bit of an appeal to me, so I will have another look at this option, too.

When you were teaching, am I right in assuming that you taught English? Or was it more linked to your former profession?

Kind regards,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 12:52
From: Matt Plodzien
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

I worked in marketing for a few years before I decided to change and move away to become a teacher in South Korea. This decision was mostly inspired by my lack of interest in my job at the time and want for change. Teaching was always something I really wanted to do and the added benefit of travel was enticing enough to get me to apply. I then spent 2 years living and teaching in South Korea before moving to China for a year and finally moving back home to the US.

After all that time teaching you would think I would come home to do the same, but I didn't. I figured out working in marketing was more in line with my goals for the future so I searched for work in my old field. I was lucky to find work here at BGS as a marketer and I don't regret leaving the teaching life behind.

My career has changed hands several times over the years, but I've managed to take a lot away from those experiences and apply them to my current track. Every new job is a learning experience and every opportunity is a chance to grow. That's what all of this has taught me.

Thanks for writing such a great question!

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org

Thanks for asking, Matt. Well, I don't intend to leave the field of Marketing yet - I enjoy the liveliness of the domain and am pretty happy with my current employer.

But then, I'm slowly approaching my 40th Birthday and therewith the second half of my worklife. There are still 25 more years of work to go, but I would want to avoid that my next career choices steer me into a dead end street ...

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2019 17:45
From: Matt Plodzien
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

I taught English while I was abroad. It was definitely a change of pace from what I was used to working in marketing, but an enjoyable one. In the end however, I knew it wasn't something I wanted to do forever.

Do you happen to see yourself leaving the field of marketing?

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2019 14:12
From: LEIF GRÖSSINGER
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

And thanks to you, Matt, for writing such a great reply! A very interesting story indeed, and I am happy that it worked out for you. I admit that teaching has always had a bit of an appeal to me, so I will have another look at this option, too.

When you were teaching, am I right in assuming that you taught English? Or was it more linked to your former profession?

Kind regards,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich


Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 12:52
From: Matt Plodzien
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

I worked in marketing for a few years before I decided to change and move away to become a teacher in South Korea. This decision was mostly inspired by my lack of interest in my job at the time and want for change. Teaching was always something I really wanted to do and the added benefit of travel was enticing enough to get me to apply. I then spent 2 years living and teaching in South Korea before moving to China for a year and finally moving back home to the US.

After all that time teaching you would think I would come home to do the same, but I didn't. I figured out working in marketing was more in line with my goals for the future so I searched for work in my old field. I was lucky to find work here at BGS as a marketer and I don't regret leaving the teaching life behind.

My career has changed hands several times over the years, but I've managed to take a lot away from those experiences and apply them to my current track. Every new job is a learning experience and every opportunity is a chance to grow. That's what all of this has taught me.

Thanks for writing such a great question!

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org

Hi Leif,

I'm glad you're happy in your current situation. It's good to keep your options open, though!

I approach it like this: I keep my eyes open for new technology or related skills that interest me, and I learn as much as I can about it. For example, I taught myself a little bit of web design (back in the Adobe Dreamweaver days) and Adobe InDesign, and even took some photography classes. And when you start to build those other skills, it opens you up for other careers and opportunities that would have otherwise been closed to you. So I could start my own blog pretty easily, if I wanted to--or I could focus in on web design, graphic design or photography and pursue one of those directions.

I don't think marketing is a dead end street--I think it's the opposite! I feel that its multifaceted nature leaves you room to explore lots of different areas in which you can specialize.

------------------------------
Tiffany Leong
St. Louis MO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-26-2019 10:20
From: LEIF GRÖSSINGER
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Thanks for asking, Matt. Well, I don't intend to leave the field of Marketing yet - I enjoy the liveliness of the domain and am pretty happy with my current employer.

But then, I'm slowly approaching my 40th Birthday and therewith the second half of my worklife. There are still 25 more years of work to go, but I would want to avoid that my next career choices steer me into a dead end street ...

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2019 17:45
From: Matt Plodzien
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

I taught English while I was abroad. It was definitely a change of pace from what I was used to working in marketing, but an enjoyable one. In the end however, I knew it wasn't something I wanted to do forever.

Do you happen to see yourself leaving the field of marketing?

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org


Original Message:
Sent: 01-23-2019 14:12
From: LEIF GRÖSSINGER
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

And thanks to you, Matt, for writing such a great reply! A very interesting story indeed, and I am happy that it worked out for you. I admit that teaching has always had a bit of an appeal to me, so I will have another look at this option, too.

When you were teaching, am I right in assuming that you taught English? Or was it more linked to your former profession?

Kind regards,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich


Original Message:
Sent: 01-21-2019 12:52
From: Matt Plodzien
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hi Leif,

I worked in marketing for a few years before I decided to change and move away to become a teacher in South Korea. This decision was mostly inspired by my lack of interest in my job at the time and want for change. Teaching was always something I really wanted to do and the added benefit of travel was enticing enough to get me to apply. I then spent 2 years living and teaching in South Korea before moving to China for a year and finally moving back home to the US.

After all that time teaching you would think I would come home to do the same, but I didn't. I figured out working in marketing was more in line with my goals for the future so I searched for work in my old field. I was lucky to find work here at BGS as a marketer and I don't regret leaving the teaching life behind.

My career has changed hands several times over the years, but I've managed to take a lot away from those experiences and apply them to my current track. Every new job is a learning experience and every opportunity is a chance to grow. That's what all of this has taught me.

Thanks for writing such a great question!

------------------------------
Matt Plodzien
Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications
Beta Gamma Sigma
St. Louis, MO
mplodzien@betagammasigma.org

Hello, Leif:

As someone who has advanced skills in marketing, I can tell you it may not be that the management types have lost interest, but that marketing technology changes fairly rapidly and younger folks entering the field are viewed as more savvy. There are far more entry level positions in marketing than there are those that provide opportunities for challenge and growth, and at the upper levels, it often seems as though lack of industry experience becomes a barrier, and your skills are seen as less applicable. If we hired for skills and competencies, yet allowed for growth in regards to industry and technology, we may be able to retain top people.

------------------------------
Melanie Negrin, MBA
------------------------------

Hello Melanie

I fully agree with you. From what I have seen, most companies do not apply any measures to update the skills of their "tested" employees and managers, but rather get talent from the outside once a specific need pops up. As you say, this might be even more so in marketing than in other domains because of fast-paced developments the Industry constantly undergoes.

It is a pity that so many talents are getting neglected, and I am sure companies would benefit from keeping and developing their staff.  

So it seems like many employees on the lower echelons are getting "squeezed out" because they have Little opportunities of development and ultimately are getting replaced by younger applicants.  

Thank you for sharing your inside knowledge.

Kind regards,
Leif

------------------------------
LEIF GRÖSSINGER
upc Schweiz GmbH
Zürich
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 01-22-2019 17:38
From: Melanie Negrin
Subject: What to do after Marketing?

Hello, Leif:

As someone who has advanced skills in marketing, I can tell you it may not be that the management types have lost interest, but that marketing technology changes fairly rapidly and younger folks entering the field are viewed as more savvy. There are far more entry level positions in marketing than there are those that provide opportunities for challenge and growth, and at the upper levels, it often seems as though lack of industry experience becomes a barrier, and your skills are seen as less applicable. If we hired for skills and competencies, yet allowed for growth in regards to industry and technology, we may be able to retain top people.

------------------------------
Melanie Negrin, MBA
------------------------------