Author: Summer White

From Architecture Grad to UX Designer: Read Aman’s Story

Posted on by Summer White

After completing her bachelor’s degree in architecture, Aman realised that it wasn’t the right career path for her. She got a job working as a PowerPoint designer, and it was through that that she was introduced to aspects of user experience (UX) design. She launched into researching what a career in UX might look like, and that’s when she found the King’s UX & UI Product Design Career Accelerator.

I felt this Career Accelerator would lay a foundation for launching my career

“I did my bachelor’s degree in architecture. After I did that, I kind of realised that it wasn’t the career for me, and so I was essentially starting from scratch. I managed to get a job as a PowerPoint Designer at a healthcare company, and through that I was introduced to UX and some of the principles. It piqued my interest, so I did some research, came across this course, and kind of began my UX career from there.”

The Career Accelerator allows you to build a comprehensive portfolio as you learn

“I think the course is structured really well in the sense that it breaks down different aspects of UX design in a way that allows you to build quite a comprehensive portfolio as you go along. And that really helped with job interviews and things like that.”

My Success Manager and Career Coach were invaluable

“My Success Manager was really helpful to just chat to about how I was getting along with the course and speak about what I was worried about, or what I needed help with and kind of gain more clarity. And then, alongside that, the Career Coach was really helpful in prepping me for interviews, telling me what I was doing right and also what I needed to improve on, and just helping to build my confidence because I think that was personally something I was lacking when I first joined. To have that mentorship was really valuable.”

I felt supported every step of the way

“I think Course One is where you kind of figure out what works best for you. It’s flexible, which is useful. If you’re struggling, I recommend just talking with your Success Manager because they can really help you figure out your routine, give you the confidence and say, “Look, you know, this might help here, or why don’t you try this?” And it’s nice to have someone to talk to when you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed.”

It’s an interactive learning experience with tutors and peers

“Alongside the career coaching, having the Success Manager as someone you can talk to throughout the process is what made the programme stand out for me.”

“I really like the live sessions that we have weekly, which give us an opportunity to chat with the tutors and ask any questions we have. And I think the peer reviews are quite unique because it’s quite a good way to get everyone involved. We haven’t started yet, but I’m really looking forward to the Employer Project too. I think it’s a really good opportunity to get some real-life experience and see how it would work in the real world.”

I got a job after only four months on the programme

“I was able to land something within four months of starting the course. And I’m now working at a separate healthcare company in their marketing department but as a UX designer.”

“We’re currently working on an eczema management app, which is great because much of what I’m doing is very similar to what is covered in the course.”

Each day, I’m learning something new

“Working as a UX designer means my day-to-day is very different, which I love. Each day I’m learning something new; I’m talking to different people; I’m working on something different, which is really fun.”

Elodie Hudson is another Career Accelerator learner who trusted her intuition and pursued a new career in what she was passionate about after working in the same industry for 16 years. Read her story here.

I’ve future-proofed my career with transferable soft skills

“So, I think in terms of competitiveness, the job market at the moment is just crazy for everyone, which is really unfortunate. A lot of people talk about AI and computers taking over. But I think the one thing they’re not really able to provide is that human empathy and interaction, which is quite crucial for UX because you’re thinking about how your user is going to feel or how you want their actual overall experience to be when using a product or an app or website. I’m quite confident in saying that I don’t think AI is going to take over anytime soon, which is great for us because we provide that kind of human connection.”

If you’re smart with your time, you can manage this programme while working full-time

“I’m working during the day, and then after work I’ll do at least two to three hours per evening. I think that’s the most I’ve been able to manage without feeling burnt out. And then, I try to dedicate at least one day a weekend just to go over everything. Obviously, towards the end of each course, that kind of picks up a bit and you do end up spending more time. But I think that would probably equate to 15 to 18 hours per week, roughly.”

We’re excited to follow Aman’s growth as she continues to develop in her new UX design career. She recently joined us at a webinar to share more about her learning journey and experience working as a UX designer. You can watch the recording here.

If you’re interested in exploring whether the King’s UX & UI Product Design Career Accelerator can help you change your career track, check out the programme page.

5 Ways to Effectively Assess Company Culture

Posted on by Summer White

Job interviews are about more than simply checking qualifications; they’re also compatibility assessments – seeing whether your values, beliefs, and working style echo that of your (potential) employer. 

Referred to as a ‘fit’ or ‘cultural fit,’ when the way you work and the things that are important to you mesh well with a company’s, it can increase the level of purpose you find in your work and positively impact your wellbeing.

Here are five practical ways to assess what a company’s culture is like.

How to assess company culture

Maybe you looked at the above types of organisational culture and immediately thought, ‘Yep, that’s where I fit.’ Or maybe things aren’t quite so clear-cut, and you’re not sure where you land. Use these guidelines to take a deeper dive into whether a prospective employer’s culture reflects the kind of place you’d like to work at.

1. Research the company

Visit their official website and social media profiles, and search for news articles about them, as well as the company’s leadership. Look for proof that they ‘live’ their mission, vision, and values and are committed to sustainability and diversity and inclusion efforts – a good sign a company values its employees’ well-being and growth.

Websites such as Glassdoor and Indeed provide valuable insights into company culture through employee reviews. Try not to focus on individual opinions too much but form a picture through trends and common themes.

2. Network with current or former employees

Use platforms like LinkedIn to connect with current or former employees of the company you’re interested in – their firsthand experiences can offer valuable insights. Ask for their perspective on the company culture, leadership style, work-life balance, and other relevant aspects.

3. Interview with the company

During a job interview, pay attention to the questions asked, the interviewer’s demeanour, and the overall atmosphere. Interviews are a two-way street, so feel free to ask questions like:

  • How long have you been with this company, and why do you choose to stay here?
  • What types of personalities tend to be successful here?
  • How does the company recognise and reward employee wins?
  • What is the company’s policy on meetings/remote work/dress code, etc.?
  • What kinds of learning and professional development opportunities are there?
  • How does your company address failure and conflict?
  • How has the company actively incorporated diversity, equity, and inclusion?
  • How are big company decisions taken?

Red flags include mentions of multiple employees leaving, talk about how swamped the company is, and a poor rapport with the interviewer.

As part of our Career Accelerator programmes, you’ll get the chance to work directly with a Career Coach. Thinking about what you want out of your next job and effectively preparing for an interview is just one way they can help you move forward in your career.

Hear from Hussein, a past Career Accelerator learner, how his Career Coach helped him think about what he wanted out of his next role from a holistic perspective and plan how he approached his interviews from there.

4. Visit the office or workplace

If possible, request a tour of the office or workplace. Observe the physical environment, how employees interact, and the general atmosphere. Are people engaged and energetic, or do they seem stressed and unhappy? 

Pay attention to ergonomics, sound control, lighting, plants and decor, and the balance of open vs. quiet spaces. An office space that looks low-quality or haphazardly strung together is a sign the company might be cutting corners elsewhere. On the other hand, well-thought-out and -maintained workspaces indicate that the company cares about the people in it. 

5. Trust your instincts

Gut feelings can be a valuable indicator; if something feels off or doesn’t align with your values during your interactions and research, consider it a red flag. Conversely, a strong sense of connection and alignment could be a positive sign that the company culture is a good fit for you.

Find fulfilment in your career

If you’re considering pivoting into a new career or advancing in your current field, a Career Accelerator might be a great option for you. Co-designed by faculty from some of the world’s best universities in partnership with industry leaders, you’ll gain the full range of technical, business and human skills needed to excel in today’s digital economy.

With access to one-on-one executive career coaching, you’ll also have the support you need to make a meaningful move in your career. Find out more about the programmes we’re currently running here.

5 Expert Tips for the Perfect CV

Posted on by Summer White

Before you even get to a job interview, your CV is the first impression an employer has of you, so how can you make sure it ticks all the boxes and sets you apart?

Here are a few tips to consider if you want to make a career change and are looking for ways to polish up your CV.

1) Keep it short and sweet

This is easier said than done, especially if you’ve been working for a while. Recruiters and hiring managers are busy and don’t have time to read hundreds of multi-page CVs, so you need to get only the most crucial information in front of their eyes, fast.

The ideal CV is a page long. Start by adding any and all information you can think of and then edit. Think about the job you’re applying for, and trim according to that. For example, your high school exam results and student jobs might look impressive on paper but aren’t necessarily relevant. However, the volunteer work you did while working your first job has a link to the new position you’re interested in and can help demonstrate your experience in the area. Be selective.

Keep an eye on your font size, too. Shrinking the text down is a good way to cram more information into a limited space, but it makes it hard to read. The UX of your CV is almost as important as the information it contains, so don’t make it hard for the person reading it.

 If UX interests you as a career option, take a look at the King’s UX & UI Product Design Career Accelerator. This programme will expose you to the many different career opportunities you can explore in this field and equip you with the skills you need to land a job, fast.

2) Tailor your CV to each application

This will take some effort but will be worth it if you’re particularly keen on an opportunity.

Carefully review the job description and identify the critical skills and qualifications required. What experiences do you have that match up? If there aren’t any, what skills do you have that are transferable? Remember that most job specs are a “wish list”, and hiring managers don’t expect candidates to tick every box.  Your ultimate goal is to showcase your ability to solve the specific problem the company is facing, backed up by your unique background and skillset.

Mirroring the words used in the job spec might also help your CV make it through the ATS software that many companies use for screening. When there are hundreds of applications coming in, this software can help HR teams quickly and efficiently rule out candidates who don’t fit the requirements. To avoid this happening to you, take note of the keywords used in the job description and make sure they appear in your CV.

3) Boost your CV with a cover letter and portfolio

In addition to your CV, consider supplementing your application with extra materials that can make you stand out.

Some applications require it, but even if yours doesn’t, include a well-crafted cover letter highlighting your motivation and why you are a strong fit for the role. This is a space where you can also provide more details about your values, interests and aspirations, which can help the company get to know you better as a person.

A portfolio is a useful way to demonstrate what you’re capable of. You can include samples of previous work you’ve done and personal side projects. Think about how you present these examples – similar to your CV, you want to make it easy to navigate for the person on the other end so that they get a good idea of your skills quickly.

4) Consider your digital presence

In today’s digital world, it’s not uncommon for businesses to research candidates online as part of the interview process. What you share on social media is important because it can influence the perception people have of you.

If you don’t already have one, create a LinkedIn profile. This can serve as an online version of your CV. Add as much information as you can to your profile, and keep it updated. Additionally, do some research on keywords and how best to include them on your profile. This will make it easier for recruiters to find you and open you up to more opportunities.

LinkedIn is also a space where professionals interact, share resources and build their networks. Any activity you perform on the platform, such as commenting on a post or sharing an article, can be broadcast to your contacts’ networks, giving you the opportunity to engage with many new contacts. Do some research on personal branding and think about how you want to present yourself in this public, professional community. If you’re not sure how to approach this, a Career Coach can help you better understand yourself and your career goals so that you can best position yourself on platforms like LinkedIn.

Hear from Akira how updating her LinkedIn profile with the help of her Career Coach helped her attract career opportunities while learning on the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator.

5) Get feedback and keep editing

Once you have finished writing the first draft of your CV, ask friends, family members, or a Career Coach to review it and give you feedback. They can help you identify areas needing improvement or clarity and bolster your confidence as you work through the job-hunting process.

It can be hard to remember, especially if you’re happy and busy in your job, but keeping your CV up-to-date as you gain new skills or complete certificates can save you plenty of time and effort. You never know when simply keeping track of your achievements might come in handy.

Make your career goals a reality

A CV that is well-crafted and thoughtful can help you stand out from the crowd.

If you’re at the point where you’re thinking about gaining new skills or pivoting your career, a Career Accelerator might be a good option for you. Not only will you gain the technical skills you need to secure a job in your chosen field, but you’ll also get support in making that move from a dedicated Success Manager and Career Coach.

We’re excited to be launching our latest Data Science Career Accelerator in partnership with the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE). Find out more about this programme, or take a look at the others we’re running here.

Bringing Data to Life: Collaborating with LSE and Tableau

Posted on by Summer White

In 2021, we saw a gap in the market: education that leads to better career outcomes. At the same time, we saw the growing demand for data analytics skills. Fast forward to 2023, and the demand hasn’t let up – data analytics is the number one emerging career, with job opportunities expected to increase by 25% in the next eight years – far above the 5% average.

Closing the gap with the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator

Driven to provide better career results for learners, we partnered with The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to launch our first accelerator programme, the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator. It’s an industry-aligned programme that pairs the best minds in academia with the expertise of business and technology leaders. This unique approach to education has helped many of our learners change careers and get impactful results within their work.

“We’re driven to close the skills gap by combining the rigour and relevance of LSE teaching with applied, job-ready skills. By collaborating with industry leaders and employers, we not only integrate industry insight and experience into coursework but ensure our programme outcomes align with expectations of work-ready abilities and help professionals develop in-demand skills,” said Professor Wim A Van der Stede, Dean for LSE Extended Education.

When we started to look for an industry partner – so that our learners could get the technical skills and practical experience that employers look for – Tableau was a natural choice.

Tableau is a world-leading analytics program, and partnering with them enabled us to give our learners first-hand experience with a tool they’ll use working in the industry.

 “Consistently and increasingly, industry is telling us they’re looking for data analysts who have demonstrable, practical skill sets, and Tableau is one of the platforms where they’re looking for candidates with strong capabilities,” says Lauren Smirfitt, our Head of Product Strategy.

A look at Tableau in the programme

During orientation, our learners are guided through the Tableau Desktop set-up to ensure they’re comfortable with the environment before the programme begins. They later spend a full week learning about data visualisation, where they’re taught how to create visualisations for exploratory analysis and for presenting insights to teams and business leaders.

To put these skills into practice, learners examine data sets and develop business recommendations based on their insights. They can access Tableau reference documents, online Community Forums, and other resources to help guide their approach and learning.

These learners changed their careers

So far, we’ve seen great career results for many of our LSE Career Accelerator learners. Coming from a range of backgrounds – including marketing, business management, healthcare logistics, and teaching – many have completely pivoted their careers and moved into data analytics. Others have been promoted to senior data positions with bigger salaries.

Elodie, a high school science teacher for 16 years, pivoted into data and began her new role as a Business Intelligence Analyst after completing the programme. 

Similarly, after working as an economist in government civil service for ten years, Hussein discovered how he could reinvent himself and his career options through the LSE Career Accelerator. Megan, Haroon and Ash also experienced positive career results after completing the programme, including changing roles, becoming more efficient at work and presenting themselves more confidently to employers.

Reflecting on this, Ryan Rushton, our Strategic Partnerships Director, shares: “Many participants have gone on to achieve the career goals they set with a Career Coach during the programme – some even before they finished their studies. Their stories are one important way for us to determine whether we’re meeting our students’ expectations in helping them achieve their career goals.”

Take the next step in your data analytics career

If you’re interested in learning more about the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator and our collaboration with Tableau and other industry leaders, we’d love to talk to you. 

Book a call with one of our Enrolment Advisors here. Our goal is to get an idea of where you’re currently at in your career and what your future aspirations are to ensure this programme is a good fit for you. If it isn’t, we’ll tell you. We also believe a quick chat with a human is the best way to get all the information you personally need to make the right decision.

If you’d like to find out more about the Career Accelerator before booking a call, you can download a program brochure here.

A version of this article was originally published by Tableau here.

Announcing: New Data Science Career Accelerator in Collaboration with University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)

Posted on by Summer White


On 1 July 2025, the Institute of Continuing Education became the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE). As part of this transition, you may still encounter some materials or communications bearing the previous ICE branding. Please be assured that while the name and identity are evolving, the learning experience and programme outcomes of the Career Accelerator remain unchanged — with Cambridge academics continuing to deliver world-class education.

We’re excited to announce our new collaboration with the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE). Our first programme will be on data science and its application in workplaces, which will emphasise strong statistics capabilities alongside commercial knowledge, project experience and interpersonal skills to apply data science in ways that will deliver high value for businesses.

The data skills gap

As the proliferation of big data technologies and advancements in AI promise to revolutionise working practices, the UK government estimates UK businesses are seeking 178,000 specialist data roles that require technical or specialist knowledge, whilst the global data science market is expected to grow from £73.7 billion in 2021 to £249.7 billion by 2026. 

The UK is already experiencing a growing data skills crisis, with 63% of companies investing in AI technology claiming they have a shortage of the skills required for implementation. This issue will grow as more companies are already set to further invest in AI technology within the next two years. Collaborating with leading industry and technology companies, such as SAS, this new programme will enable adults to advance their careers in data science and benefit from recent advances in technology.

Cultivating a diverse skill set

This Career Accelerator aims to cultivate a diverse skill set, including the ability to apply in-depth statistical concepts and a comprehensive knowledge of data science principles, emphasising machine learning modelling and tuning. The curriculum will enable learners to effectively discern the optimal application of these concepts in various commercial contexts. By emphasising a business-oriented mindset, this latest programme ensures that the acquired skills are purposeful and aligned with real-world needs across all types of organisations. 

Collaborating on a new educational model

Dr James Gazzard, Director of the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE), states: “We are committed to helping adult learners from all backgrounds gain access to the digital economy, and our collaboration with FourthRev to develop Career Accelerators will play a key role in delivering on that mission. This first programme plays to our strengths as a high-quality provider of work-relevant continuing education, a department of the University of Cambridge, and the city of Cambridge’s reputation as one of Europe’s most successful knowledge economies.”

“We recognise that the current shortage of data skills calls for novel solutions and new collaborations that can address the challenges faced by industry. At the same time, businesses do not operate in a vacuum and through our programmes, we aim to ensure that graduates are reflective and responsible thinkers, able to fully understand the challenges and opportunities that new technologies present with respect to ethics, security and society.”

“We are delighted to work with FourthRev and its industry partners to help us bring this new educational offering to market.”

Mark Lester, our Chief Partnerships Officer at FourthRev, says: “The world needs a new model of education for the digital age that harnesses the unrivalled knowledge and critical thinking nurtured by leading universities, and applies it systematically to the messy business and human challenges encountered in industry. Many current programmes are either too theoretical or too skills-orientated, leaving employers short of talent able to ask the right questions and efficiently solve their challenges”.

Jack Hylands, our Co-founder and Co-CEO, adds: “We are proud to be collaborating with the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) to devise industry co-designed programmes with academic rigour that develop the human, commercial and technical skills to equip students with the means to succeed in a fast-changing world.”

Roderick Crawford, Senior VP for SAS Northern Europe, a key technology partner for the programme, agrees that Career Accelerators offer a fresh approach to addressing major skills shortages.

“At SAS, we pride ourselves on pioneering new education initiatives to build the data profession, and we find this collaborative model a powerful way to help universities develop the next generation of professionals suited to the challenges faced by modern business.”

“It’s vital that even best-in-class AI technology has some human oversight, so we will continue to need people with the skills to understand how it works, and how to monitor and adapt its use.”  

What to expect from the Career Accelerator

The Career Accelerator in data science will offer learners taught modules in critical technical and business skills that are applied and consolidated across multiple projects designed with employers and undertaken individually and within group settings. Through the programme, learners will create a portfolio of projects that evidence their data science skills. Learners will also enjoy live masterclasses from leading practitioners in industry and the University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education (PACE), and will enjoy the support of a dedicated professional career coach and success manager to help them advance their learning and career goals.  

The first programme is due to launch in the first half of 2024.

Be added to the waitlist and help us shape the programme curriculum here. 

To learn more about the partnership, contact Mark Lester, Partnerships Director at FourthRev.

Your Toolkit to Stand Out as a Product Manager: Advice from Experts

Posted on by Summer White

Many people are considering a career change to product management. Why? It’s a role that people are highly satisfied in, it pays well, and, maybe best of all, anyone can access it.

“There are many pathways in, and there are many ways to be a product manager.”

Simon Elder, Principal Group Product Lead

We recently hosted a webinar with product management leaders from across the UK to discuss what the current hiring market looks like and what you can do to stand out to potential employers. 

During the 60-minute session, our panel of experts shared valuable tips and insights, such as:

  • The difference between product and project management
  • The technical skills you need as a product manager
  • How to shift careers and what transferable skills matter most

You can watch the full recording here:

Below, we’ve listed a few of the event’s top takeaways. We also reached out to our panel to get their answers to the questions we didn’t have time to cover, and asked them to share their go-to product management resource right now.

Product managers are not project managers

“It’s definitely not a one-size-fits-all [role]. The voices in the industry that I think are unhelpful are the ones that try and pigeonhole product management as just a tweak on project management. Being a product manager does not mean owning a backlog. It does not mean writing JIRA tickets. You’re a facilitator or a dock connector. You’re an enabler. We need to move away from a PM simply owning a backlog going towards a PM bringing a cohesive team of experts together to solve meaningful problems..” – Nick Jemetta, PM Advisor and Coach at Stories Matter

Your previous experience is your superpower

“There are people from all different avenues going into product, which I think creates a very rich source of different types of background around product management, and it’s only something that I see growing.” – Emma van Dijkum, previous Vice President of Product at Multiverse

“I think most Heads of Product are looking to build a cognitive diversity – they don’t want cookie cutter people. When you build a team, you’re going to automatically look for different profiles – you don’t want the same, and so, as a candidate, I think you should never be afraid of accentuating your angle. It’s certainly a plus to be different. So, you know, it doesn’t matter where you come from.” – Charles Roels, Chief Product Officer at SO-SURE

Take Malavika for example. She’s not a traditional product manager, but the King’s Career Accelerator still gave her new frameworks to apply to her work – and career.

You don’t need to be technical to work as a product manager

“I would describe myself as a technology geek. But I’m not sure I’m technical. I have an interest, I have a passion. I love what technology can do in terms of creating customer experiences. But I’m not a technical person. I think we need to debunk the myth that to be a great PM, you’ve got to be technical. For me, the more important skill is having an interest in it and just being curious. You can meet technical people in the middle without having to be overly technical.” – Nick Jemetta

“It’s much more about the EQ of bringing [people] together. The ability to [manage] that synthesis is the core skill [of product management], not technological understanding, because you’ve got a brilliant architect, and you’ve hopefully got a brilliant delivery team behind them as well. You can lean into them – that’s what they’re there for. You’re synthesising their expertise into the overall product experience.” – Simon Elder

Employability is at the core of Career Accelerators. We partner with tech and employer partners, such as Atlassian and Dropbox, to ensure you gain the skills and practical experience to get you hired as a product manager.

Watch the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator video to find out more about the programme.

Audience questions answered by product experts

How easy is the transition from project manager to product manager? Are there transferable skills in both?

Emma: As someone who made this transition myself, there are definitely transferable skills that apply to both:

  • Influencing without authority
  • Stakeholder management
  • Prioritisation
  • Making stuff happen
  • Making sense of complexity

What you might then need to learn is adapting to agile methodologies and defining and leading strategy.

If a product manager is not a one-size-fits-all, how can you move within different industries?

Nick: Build the core product management skill set – uncovering problems and opportunities that have digital solutions to create customer value and business impact. You do this by being curious, focusing on difficult problems, learning how to get the best from your engineering and design partners, and collaborating with stakeholders. These skills transfer across every industry.

For those who have social science backgrounds, which path or focus makes the most sense if I’m keen to move into PM?

Simon: I’d flip this and ask: What is it about product management that appeals to you? Is it more the user research and experience, or are you interested in developing your skills elsewhere? This should help you refine what type of product role and/or organisation you’re interested in working in.

With only one year of experience as a product owner, is a transition into a PM role feasible, given that you require X amount of years in product to be considered?

Emma: You can be a product manager off the bat (with any working experience to draw from). Great companies don’t distinguish between product owner and product manager roles. Ideally, there is no difference.

I’m currently a PM and have been sceptical about the movements in this area, mainly after Airbnb spoke about ending the PM position (some companies are already following) and merging into marketing. What is the main focus after that?

Simon: In the Airbnb scenario, the functions of product management don’t fall away; they’re re-named or taken on elsewhere in the organisation. It’s the skillset that remains vital to an organisation. Product management within a marketing function is still product management. In my own career, I was filling what would now be PM functions when in an editorial role. Likewise, my role now requires me to have solid operational and editorial knowledge to ensure that the product features I’m leading on ‘work’ within the business.

I have a tech background with an MBA. What kind of roles can I target in PM?

Nick: Whatever you’re interested in! With your MBA, you don’t need to pigeonhole yourself into deep tech roles.

Product management is a fairly broad field of activity. Could you explain what hard skills are needed if you want to become a product manager from the side of product analytics and digital marketing?

Emma: It depends on the role, but you should know the basics behind agile software development, know your way around a spreadsheet so you can analyse data, and ideally wrap your head around using behavioural analytics tools. A lot of this you can learn on the job.

How do I network with people and actually get a response from people ready to help and guide me/ mentor to switch to a PM role?

Emma: Don’t see networking as transactional but as a way to meet interesting people and build connections. Try and stand out by offering something different to others, like a free promotion or a coffee. Think of what you can give before expecting something in return.

Do you have advice for someone in a product role but in a non-product-orientated business?

Simon: This can be very specific to an organisation, but I’d start by thinking about how you articulate business value: what is it that your understanding of and engagement with the customer as a product manager delivers for the business in terms of insight and potential for customer growth/retention/value? Within the King’s Product Management Career Accelerator, there is a focus on engaging with and managing internal stakeholders that really helps with this. I’d also consider who within the business is a strong communicator who could help you with your messaging (even if they’re not in a product role).

Bonus: What’s your go-to product management resource right now?

Emma: Marty Cagan, Productplan, The Economist articles, LinkedIn, Product Leadership networks.

Nick: There are so many! I love Nacho Bassino’s book, Product Direction, and Teresa Torres’s book, Continuous Discovery Habits. My top web tip is a curation of the best product content by Simon Waldman, Product Director at RAC.

Charles: The weekly Matt Lerner email is always interesting. Something new: Hustle Badger, an ed-tech startup that wants to provide people in the tech industry with the skills they need to succeed. Otherwise, I’m very much into behavioural economics and decision-making.

Simon: People. And the people I work with in particular. We have some great experience and diversity of thought in the organisation.

Feel inspired by this advice? The King’s Product Management Career Accelerator is designed to kickstart your career as a product manager. Download the brochure.

From Teacher to Data Analyst: Read Elodie’s Story

Posted on by Summer White

Data analytics has become one of the most desirable fields to work in, with high demand and great pay – Glassdoor lists the estimated salary for a data analyst working in London in 2023 at £42,802 per year. However, without years of technical training, it doesn’t always seem accessible. This is what high school science teacher, Dr Elodie Hudson, thought before she enrolled in the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator.

“For someone like me, with a science background but no coding background at all, I always imagined a coder or a software developer or any sort of [analytical] tech role was just not something I could access.”

After obtaining her PhD from Imperial College London, Elodie began her career as a scientist before becoming a teacher. After more than 16 years in education, she decided to pursue a new career path: “I’d reached the stage in my career where I felt nothing was going to change. And I really wanted to try something different that would suit my skills. I’d been in an education bubble for a long time, and I wasn’t sure I had the skills to make a complete change and do something completely different.”

Having always been interested in data, Elodie began to explore studying options that would give her the skills she would need to transition into analytics.

She didn’t have to wait long. While completing the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator, Elodie was offered a new role as a Business Intelligence Analyst at AssessTech, a technology and training company that specialises in all areas of competence management for the railway industry. This was then followed by two promotions, first as the Lead Data Scientist and then as the Director of Development (all within the space of 11 months).

“The programme has had a massive impact on my life. I have my next job lined up, and I’ve successfully completely changed my career, so I’m really excited as to what comes next.”

We asked Elodie what she thought of the Career Accelerator and how it gave her the confidence and skills to transition into a new career.

What attracted you to this specific programme compared to others out there?

“I decided to go for the LSE Career Accelerator because of the rigour of the content and the depths to which all of the skills were explored, plus the opportunity to work on an Employer Project and get support from the career coaching and success management aspects of the course. So although it’s online, you feel like you’re part of a big cohort. There was good contact with the facilitators, and the academic standard of the content was really good. It seemed like a course that was broad enough, deep enough and rigorous enough to actually equip me with the skills that I needed for a career change.”

Did the Career Accelerator help you master new technical skills you didn’t have before?

“I really enjoy data analytics, and it’s been fantastic to learn how to code using SQL, Python and R, as well as how to use Tableau. All of these four are skills that I didn’t have at all when I started the course. It’s unbelievable how much I learned in the space of six months.”

How valuable did you find working with a Career Coach?

“It’s been a complete eye-opener for me. As someone who’d just turned 50 when I started the course, I really questioned whether it was too late for me to do something completely different. My coach completely opened my eyes to the world of possibilities that are out there. It’s never too late to start something new. I already had more skills than I thought I had from my teaching career, so the whole [career coaching] process has been an excellent add-on to the actual analytics content of the course.”

Who would you recommend this Career Accelerator to, and why?

“I would recommend this course to really two sets of people. The first would be people who want to change their careers completely and enter the world of analytics. And the second would be people already in an industry or a business where they want to stay but who want to improve their analytical skills or move into analytics within that business.”

What advice would you give someone with no technical experience who might be apprehensive about enrolling in this programme?

“I always imagined any sort of tech role was just not something I was able to access. That misconception has been completely blown out of the water. You realise that, actually, [coding, for example,] is just a skill like any other that anybody can acquire. With the right mindset and approach to hard work, all the resources on the course are there for you to succeed.”

If you’re interested in exploring a completely new career path like Elodie did, why not find out more about the LSE Data Analytics Career Accelerator? Download the programme brochure here and book a call with an Enrolment Advisor to discuss any questions you might have.

Maximising Efficiency: Proven Techniques for Successful Time Management

Posted on by Summer White

Who doesn’t battle with distractions during their workday? Whether you work in an office or from home, multiple things competing for your attention can make staying focused hard. According to HBR, the average employee gets distracted as many as 50 to 60 times every day! 

Research has shown that to do our best work, we must reach “the flow state” – a state of intense concentration where McKinsey proves that people are five times more productive. But how do we get there?

Knowing how to manage your time more effectively is often the best way to keep your focus narrow and get the most out of your day. Here are five suggestions to help you feel more organised and in control of your working hours.

Decide what’s most important and prioritise it

In Future Skills: The 20 Skills And Competencies Everyone Needs To Succeed In A Digital World, business author and tech influencer Bernard Marr devotes an entire chapter to time management. In this chapter, he encourages readers to prioritise tasks based on their importance instead of how enjoyable they are. To do this, he uses the “ABC Method”:

  • A is the important, must-do item for the day. If you do nothing else except your “A” task, you’ve achieved something significant. If there is more than one “must-do” task, stagger them based on what is the most urgent.
  • B tasks are less important, but you only move on to them once all “A” tasks are done.
  • C tasks are great if you have time to do them, but it’s okay if you don’t find time.

Successfully completing a weighty task with a broader impact is a great way to feel accomplished and get into the zone. This makes it easier to stay focused for more of the day and maintain a sense of motivation.

Bonus resource: Take a look at Makeuseof’s review of apps that help users prioritise tasks.

Timebox to limit how long you spend on tasks

Parkinson’s Law states that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion,” meaning we’ll take three days to complete a task if we have three days to do it when realistically, it could be done in a day and a half.

When timeboxing, you allocate a certain number of hours or days to each task and use only this time to complete it. It’s a simple and effective way to manage your daily workload and ensures you don’t spend too long on any given task.

To help stick to your allocated timebox, set yourself a deadline when you have to submit what you’re working on to a colleague to help keep you accountable. It’s easy to creep over self-imposed timeslots, but having someone waiting on you can apply the right amount of pressure to complete your tasks.

Bonus resource: Read more about timeboxing from Mindtools and Asana.

Visually block off your time

While this might not work for everyone, try dividing your calendar into bite-sized timeslots with tasks pre-assigned to different times during the day. The more detailed you are with your allocations, the easier it will be to see how much you’re taking on and how much is realistic to achieve.

Colour-coding your tasks in your calendar can also help you feel more organised. When you can see everything clearly categorised, it can help group similar activities and limit context switching – something that kills concentration for almost everyone!

If your calendar is publicly available, blocking off time for specific tasks and breaks away from the screen can help your colleagues better respect your schedule and book meetings when you have an intentional opening. 

Bonus resource: Use a meeting scheduling tool like Calendly to take control of your diary and only allow people to book meetings when it suits you.

Manage your notifications

Because we work cross-functionally, we often have to sort through a jumble of information coming from all directions. Different departments rely on various tools, productivity apps, documents, and spreadsheets that all send notifications that vie for your attention, contributing to an “always-on anxiety”.

To manage this, batch check email, notifications, and instant messages at predetermined times. Tools like Gmail’s Inbox Pause lets you pause your inbox once you’ve checked it and only unpause it when you’re ready. Blocksite and the Freedom app also allow you to block access to specific apps and websites during specified intervals.

You can also turn off unnecessary notifications on your phone and set it to “Do Not Disturb” or aeroplane mode to limit interruptions during certain times of the day. Research conducted in the USA showed that in 2023, the average person checks their phone 144 times a day, so if you just can’t put it down, try locking it in a drawer or leaving it in a separate room.

Bonus resource: Check out Zapier’s list of distraction blockers that help you focus and build discipline.

Practise the Pomodoro technique

As human beings, it’s impossible to stay completely focused for extended periods of time. The Pomodoro technique suggests working in 25-minute bursts before taking a short break and then continuing. Here’s how to do it: 

  • Start your day by deciding what tasks need to be done 
  • Choose what you’d like to start with
  • Set a timer for 25 minutes
  • Focus exclusively on your set task until the timer goes off 
  • Take a five-minute break
  • Start your next 25-minute burst

After four “Pomodoros”, take a longer 15-30 minute break before starting the next cycle.

People who’ve found success following this method have reported that it’s felt less daunting to tackle tasks, improved quality of work, less mental exhaustion, better attention span and more motivation.

Bonus resource: Make your Pomodoro more fun by using a tool that allows you to customise your timer with a fun background or relaxing music. 

Manage your time better and take the next step in your career

We often get asked how our learners are able to manage studying, working full-time and making time for their families while enrolled in our Career Accelerators. Many learners, like Gåbriela, Diego and Kelli, share how the support from their Success Managers and Career Coaches helped them prioritise effectively so that they could do it all.

If you’re interested in finding out more about any of our programmes, get in touch and let’s discuss whether it’s the right fit for you and how we can help you make it work.

In (and Out) the Office with the Global Brand Marketing Manager at Canva

Posted on by Summer White

Have you ever wondered what it’s really like to work in a dynamic, high-powered digital marketing role at a big company?

We recently sat down with Brony Popp, the Global Brand Marketing Manager at Canva, who contributed to the coursework material for the Digital Marketing: Analytics and Strategy Career Accelerator by Melbourne Business School Online, to find out more about what a day in her life looks like – both in and out the office.

Brony has worked in marketing for 13 years. She’s currently part of the brand marketing team at Canva and works with global campaign managers to roll out projects that boost the much-loved online design tool’s market growth and popularity. 

Getting to know Brony Popp

What does a typical workday look like for you?

“I either work from home or in the office, depending on what my diary looks like. I spend about half of the week in the office, which I find really good for me, and the incredible food doesn’t hurt! I’m really grateful to have a flexible policy at work because it allows me to manage other commitments.”

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

“I loved the show ‘Changing Rooms’ and wanted to renovate spaces, but that’s about as far as I’ve taken my renovation dreams (for now).”

How do you wind down at the end of the day?

“Walking my dog is a good circuit breaker at the end of my day, and my notifications from Slack switch off at 6 p.m.” 

Do you have any general productivity hacks?

“The things that have consistently stuck over the years and are now part of my team’s way of working are:

  • Start the week fresh: At the end of each week, I clean out my inbox and write a to-do list for the following week. My team and I schedule status updates for Monday morning while it’s still fresh in our brains so we can pick up where we left off.
  • Prioritise: I often block out my diary to do certain tasks that have deadlines or the days just disappear. Not everyone’s focused time is in the morning, so I “Eat The Frog” at the time of day when I get the most focus, which is the afternoon after our US team logs off or on my meet-free Monday when it’s their Sunday. 
  • Don’t get distracted by things that aren’t urgent: This one is Slack related but works with a lot of software – send things back to yourself later. I push a lot of ‘later’ jobs to come back and remind me when I have capacity. This ensures I’m focusing on what’s important, not just what’s the latest alert (this takes practice!).
  • Monthly reflections: I asked my coachees what we do that helps productivity, and they said the monthly snapshots. This is a Confluence page where they each track highlights, lowlights, lessons learned, opportunities and progress towards growth goals. Only they and I see it, so it’s an honest way to keep track of progress and recurring issues and take stock so that the months don’t just roll into each other.”

Do you completely log off from work over weekends?

“I really do. Sometimes, this isn’t possible if I’m working on events or travelling for work but by and large, I keep work out of my weekends. We are all just better at our jobs when there is space and rest, and I think it’s important to set that example for others. I close work programs if I use my laptop on the weekend, so they don’t lure me back in. Also, I recommend taking some time to set up your notifications. I have them turned off on the weekend, except for certain key stakeholders.”

What’s the most challenging part of your job? And the most rewarding?

“The most challenging part is the ever-evolving category that Canva is in. Being in such a fast-paced industry means long-term planning can be difficult, and you need to be nimble and flexible to adapt and change strategies to suit the vision and the market. But that is the most rewarding too. We often galvanise and pull off great things that weren’t even on the table a few months prior, so it’s never boring.”

What core skills do you look for when interviewing someone to join your team?

“I look for someone who is skilled at what they do but never too big to pack a box. The only way we get ahead is by everyone really working as part of a team and being willing to take on jobs that aren’t always in their remit for us to get to the result. Our team works with a lot of stakeholders and connects a lot of the dots across the company, so incredible communication is an absolute must-have – both written and verbal.”

What would you say to someone looking to achieve a better work/life balance by moving into this field?

“Take responsibility for your personal life as you do for your work life by setting boundaries to facilitate both. There will always be more work to do, but making the hours you work more impactful is the key. It’s important to have a well-rounded life because I believe it makes us better at our jobs.”

Launch your own career as a Digital Marketing leader

You can now register to secure your place in the Digital Marketing: Analytics and Strategy Career Accelerator by Melbourne Business School Online in partnership with FourthRev.

Download a brochure here and then book a call with one of our friendly Enrolment Advisors to discuss your interest further.