From New College Swindon to a Global Marketing Career

At New College Swindon, we’re always proud to hear about the success stories of our former students. Today, we’re catching up with Martin Blunt, former apprentice and now a Senior Account Manager at global marketing agency, Crowd, to learn about their journey from college to a thriving career in the international marketing industry.

Tell us a bit about yourself, where you work, and your job role.

“I’m currently based in Oxford, working as a Senior Account Manager and videographer for Crowd EU, a global marketing agency. Although their office is in Amsterdam, I work remotely. My role is split between client services, where I manage various accounts in the renewable energy and automotive sectors across Europe, and videography, which allows me to travel and shoot client events. Through this, I’ve had the chance to visit the US, UAE, Morocco, Germany, and the Netherlands.”

How did you start your career? What did you study at New College Swindon?

“I studied Media, Digital Music Production, and Italian at New College Swindon. My career began with a digital marketing apprenticeship after I left college. Although the COVID pandemic hit during this time, it gave me the clarity and direction to pursue a long-term career in marketing, particularly with European brands.

After my apprenticeship, I applied to study Business and Marketing at Oxford Brookes University. During my time there, I networked relentlessly and sent numerous emails to large agencies asking for work experience or internships. This persistence paid off, and I secured an internship at my current agency in my second year of university. The rest, as they say, is history.”

What was your experience like during your apprenticeship?

“My experience was mixed. I gained a lot of knowledge from the course itself, but I wasn’t able to put much of it into practice because the company I was with at the time didn’t have a dedicated marketing department. Without a mentor to guide me, I had to navigate much of it independently. However, the apprenticeship exposed me to the world of marketing and sparked my interest, which has been invaluable for my career.”

^{“The apprenticeship exposed me to the world of marketing and sparked my interest, which has been invaluable for my career.”}

Did you face any challenges? And how did you overcome them?

“The biggest challenge was financial—dealing with the apprenticeship’s hourly wage alongside student loans. Another challenge was not fully understanding certain areas of marketing. Whenever I faced difficulties, I made sure to ask for help and seek clarity, which helped me grow and overcome those obstacles.”

What did you enjoy most about your apprenticeship?

“I loved the content of the course and the people I met along the way, both at my workplace and on the course itself. The connections I made have been just as valuable as the lessons learned.”

How has your qualification benefited your current role?

“One of the key requirements for applying to the marketing agencies I was targeting was a degree. Having that qualification opened doors and ultimately helped me secure the role I’m in today.”

What advice would you give to a prospective learner?

“Show genuine interest and initiative. Get as much experience in your chosen field as you can, even before starting university. Building that experience early will make it easier to find opportunities during your degree and beyond.”

At New College Swindon, we aim to provide learners with the skills, experience, and qualifications they need to succeed. This alumni story highlights the importance of perseverance, networking, and taking initiative to build a rewarding career.

Interested in finding out how our courses or apprenticeships can help you on your career path? Contact us today for more information at applyapprentice@newcollege.ac.uk / employers@newcollege.ac.uk

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