Take Control of Your Career
This article follows our earlier piece on how early promotions can sometimes be biased. We’re sharing actionable recommendations for women in marketing procurement (or any industry) to take control of their careers. This can be hard — especially if you’re just starting out, feeling unsure, or new to a role or company. But you can totally do this.
We know the advice might sound familiar, but we’ve added in some of our own experiences to make it more relatable and useful for you.
Enhance Your Skills with Professional Development
Don’t overlook professional development opportunities — there’s a lot out there, and some of it’s even free! Check out courses and certifications from organizations like the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) or the American Marketing Association (AMA). If you’re working in the U.S., your company might already be a member of both CIPS and AMA, as well as the Association of National Advertisers (ANA). Even if you’re outside the U.S., you can still access a lot of these classes online. If not, look into local or regional associations like ISBA in the UK.
The ANA offers great content in-person and online. The classes are perfect for those just getting started in marketing and advertising procurement. To find out if your company is a member, reach out to the contact person listed on the member website. They’ll get you set up with a log-in if your company is already registered — easy and straightforward! Some classes are free for members, while others may have a small fee. You can ask your company to cover the cost because most have reimbursement policies. Start by asking your HR team about it.
Also, there’s a ton of free learning content out there from universities, organizations, and websites like LinkedIn Learning. Just search for the topics you’re interested in, and you’ll be surprised by how much is available. LinkedIn classes are especially great because they’re free and on-demand — meaning you can fit them into your schedule whenever it works for you.
Attend Industry Conferences & Networking Events
Try to get yourself to industry conferences and networking events whenever you can. These are amazing opportunities to learn about the latest trends, technology, and strategies and to meet others in your field. It’s a great way to start building your network!
Conference tickets are often considered a company perk, and unfortunately, they aren’t always distributed fairly. If you’re newer or in a junior role, you might have to push a bit harder to get that conference pass. Look for events near you, so you can minimize travel costs and just pop out of the office for a few hours. The ANA, ProcureCon, Procurement Foundry, and Advertising Week all host annual events that are totally worth attending.
Another association worth checking out is She Runs It. They offer tons of great events and insights for those in advertising, marketing, and procurement. Membership fees are pretty affordable, and many companies will let you expense them — just talk to your manager or HR to see what’s possible.
Remember, don’t limit yourself to just the classes that directly relate to your current role. Exploring topics like networking, negotiation, AI, and Emotional Intelligence can really help round out your skill set. If you didn’t major in finance (and most of us didn’t!), consider taking a finance class, too. At some point, you’ll be responsible for a budget, a client, or a division’s P&L, so it’s better to get comfortable with the topic now rather than later.
Networking
Networking is something a lot of people find intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. People often find that internal networking — connecting with people inside your own company — works very well for career growth and building credibility. The issue sometimes is that a lot of companies don’t prioritize it, so you might have to get creative.
For example, try to figure out how to meet people in other teams. Start small by having lunch in the common areas and do not be afraid of saying hi to people you know AND don’t know.
Another great way to broaden your network is by connecting with people on LinkedIn. You’d be surprised how much you can learn from people who are in completely different roles or even industries. Nobody’s career path is linear, and getting to know how others ended up where they are has been really eye-opening for me. Most people are happy to talk about their experiences — don’t be afraid to reach out, even if it’s a total cold connect. Worst-case scenario, they don’t respond. Best case? You gain a new perspective or a mentor.
Follow Industry News
It’s super important to stay updated on what’s going on in your field. Read industry publications, blogs, and journals. Websites like Supply Chain Management Review and Marketing Week can be great resources. I’d also recommend checking out newsletters from Adweek, AdAge, and MPIQ. You can skim through them quickly each day to keep up with what’s happening. Even if you’re in procurement, read about marketing — and if you’re in marketing, read about procurement. The more you know, the more value you bring to your role.
You probably know the go-to industry publications, but I’ve also found a few others to be helpful for market research, news, and trends: Beroe Market Intelligence, MediaPost, and COMvergence. Give them a look when you have time.
Additional Thoughts
One last tip: keep your resume updated! Seriously. You never know when the next opportunity might pop up. I’ve found it helpful to have peers or mentors I trust give me feedback on my resume. It’s something I do every six months or so, just to make sure it’s always current. You’d be surprised how a fresh set of eyes can help fine-tune your achievements and the way you’re presenting yourself.
Good luck out there — go after what you want, and don’t let anything (or anyone) hold you back! You’ve got this.
