Skip to main content
Communication, Art + Technology › Communication
SFU Co-op Student

iPad, notebooks, camera, and graph over a neon background
Digital marketing is likely the first and most important resource that allows you, the consumer, to experience, be exposed to, and research a company or brand.

If you’re like me and obsess over Instagram aesthetics, peruse like-minded communities on Twitter, or aspire to be TikTok famous, then you’ve probably considered a digital marketing career at some point and are ready to make your debut in the industry. That said, assuming you’ve done your extensive research on a super trendy internship gig you wish to score, I’m here to tell you that it can all be yours with the right mindset. This article will kick start your journey towards optimizing your current skills, and get you from beginner, to intermediate, all the way to advanced! Here are four Do-It-Yourself skills that will spice up your resume, helping you to leverage your digital marketing talents before your search for your Co-op opportunity!

For those of you who aren’t digital marketing fanatics, welcome! For starters, digital marketing is a more contemporary form of marketing that promotes a product, service and/or company within the digital sphere with respects to elements such as SEO (Search Engine Optimization), email marketing, social media marketing, website and mobile apps, as well as leveraging analytics through platforms like Google. Digital marketing is likely the first and most important resource that allows you, the consumer, to experience, be exposed to, and research a company or brand.

Diversify Your Writing Skills

All aspects of marketing incorporate good writing. No matter what project put before you, be prepared to write about topics you’ve never explored for audiences you’ve never engaged with. It’s very attractive to employers if you can offer them a diverse breadth of writing capabilities. In my first digital marketing Co-op, I wrote an array of writing pieces: from corporate human resources documents, formal public relations emails, informal blog posts, and quick social media captions. My "four C’s" are essential for maintaining good writing: clarity, creativity, cohesiveness and conciseness.

Get a Groove on Graphic Design

I already know that you are wildly creative and must have unique visual marketing ideas that'll last decades! Why don’t you enhance some of those designing skills on a graphic designing platform? It doesn’t need to be over-the-top software. Even designing content on free apps like Canva or Figma and familiarizing yourself with their interfaces will be so valuable for you coming into your next co-op. In the case that your employer asks you for a last-minute Instagram poster, or infographic, you'll be on standby!

Start Strategizing on SEO

SEO is definitely a tricky skill to learn, but you will surely be venturing into this within digital marketing as your career evolves. I would absolutely recommend that you familiarize yourself with these strategies beforehand by reading up on different articles, taking advantage of short courses on LinkedIn Learning, and getting used to some of the SEO lingo. Different businesses utilize SEO for various goals they are trying to achieve and the results offer significant outputs and marketing collateral that support a company's decision making for future campaigns or advertising.

Find Your Wings

Considering the broadness in the digital marketing world, not to mention the wide scope of careers in communications, it helps to see every step of your career as an opportunity to creatively execute any, if not all of your skills. Whether it's by solidifying the three skills that I've introduced to you, or diving deeper and doing research on what attributes of marketing you are missing, and cultivating that into your assets; you are ultimately responsible for putting the work in (with the help of your amazing colleagues at SFU) and that effort will be reflected in the results. Ultimately, you may already have your destination set, but now it's about finding your wings and soaring towards that goal. Success is how you see yourself, and skillset aside, you are already a step towards that dream marketing job of yours once your begin to envision it as your reality. Don't limit yourself to your CV, a job title, or to what's already been done by others; practice having the openness and willingness to pursue any challenge that comes your way, and you'll be surprised on effortlessly you excel at them. 

SFU Co-op Student
visibility  489
May 26, 2021

Posts by Author

Emma standing in front of the pond at SFU Burnaby
Blog
A Co-op Student’s Guide to Media Relations

Like many Communications students, I came into the School of Communication very interested in media; both studying it and working in it. I found it harder and harder to pinpoint where I could fit into it professionally as I learned more about it. What do you do when you’re interested in media, but not sure you want to work directly in media?

A phone on the home screen where the apps for Twitter, Facebook and Instagram can be seen
Blog
Tips for Effective Social Media Marketing

When promoting events and news on social media on behalf of a club, service, or business, the main goal is to get as many eyes as possible on the content. One of my tasks in my 8-month Co-op position was to post updates on their social media accounts, which includes job postings, upcoming events, and special announcements. Over these months, I was able to find useful strategies and tools to help me manage these profiles effectively and efficiently.

Co-op students standing outside around a sign that says "SFU"
Blog
Event Planning 101: 3 Tips for Planning an Event even Gen-Z’s will Enjoy

Coming into this Co-op position as an Outreach, Promotion, and Engagement Coordinator for SFU’s School of Communication, I was not expecting to gain any sort of event planning experience. Creating an event for our incoming students for Fall 2023, was a brand-new concept that flourished this semester.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections, Professional Development, Career Exploration, Seeking, Work Term Extension

author, courtney, smiling
A Second Term in Government: More of the Same?

Having completed my first work term for Health Canada as a Communications Officer Intern, I was eager to try something new, and the government was not where I believed that was going to happen. That is until I was offered a position at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada...

tower in ottawa
Increasing Your Chances of Working for the Government

With the stability and the opportunities that a government position provides, it’s not surprising that a lot of students are interested with working for the government. The What Can I Do in Government session gave students an opportunity to network with a panel consisting of alumni, current students and managers who are experienced in working for the public sector. Read on for some insights and tips that the panelists provided!

a portrait image of a woman smiling and looking into a distance
Self Discovery

In the changing labour market there are increased opportunities for seeking your own Co-op placement through a Self-Directed Work Search. In this 3 steps blog series by our career advisor Heather Williams, learn about how to successfully conduct self-directed work search from self-discovering to landing an informational interview.

You Might Like These... Co-op Reflections

Anca holding a cup of coffee
Getting Through the First Month of your Co-op

Getting Through the First Month of Your Co-op: How do you prepare for a new work term? And how do you survive the first month in a new co-op position? Business Major Anca Zgreaban shares five tips for easing smoothly from a study semester into a working term.

Get Involved Banner
How Volunteer Experience Can Help Land You a Co-op Placement

Have you ever wondered if volunteer experience can be a more valuable experience in a hiring manager’s mind? Have you ever wondered about hidden benefits that go with volunteerism? If yes, this article is for you. Find out what makes volunteering distinct on your resume, and how it can help you land a co-op!

A person doing paper work and planning at their desk
How to Make the Job Application Process Easier on Yourself

Elina experienced challenges while applying for Co-op during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, at the end of her degree. Follow these tips on how to successfully find a job placement–with less stress!