Hey there! If you’re reading this, chances are you’re either a BCom student or someone who’s curious about how someone with a commerce background like mine ended up in the fast-paced world of digital marketing. It’s been quite a ride, and I thought I’d share my story of how I went from studying business principles to building online strategies.
Starting with BCom: A Solid Foundation, But Not Quite My Dream
When I first enrolled in BCom, I had a pretty clear picture of what my future would look like. I was drawn to the numbers and structure of things, so I thought I’d end up in finance or accounting. I spent hours learning about financial statements, business laws, and how companies operate. And honestly, I did well. I liked it — at first.
But then, I started noticing something. I was more interested in the way businesses marketed their products and connected with customers than I was in crunching numbers. I remember scrolling through social media, seeing cool campaigns from brands, and thinking, “How do they make that happen?!” I wanted to learn more about how digital platforms were changing the way businesses grew, and that curiosity soon took over.
A New Spark: Discovering Digital Marketing
It wasn’t a sudden realization, but over time, I started leaning into marketing-related courses and topics. I wasn’t sure how or why I was shifting focus, but I just knew I was drawn to the creative and tech-driven side of business. I remember getting a project in one of my BCom classes that involved researching online marketing. As I started diving deeper into the subject, I got hooked. The world of social media, SEO, content marketing, and digital ads seemed exciting — and it was a huge shift from the number-heavy finance world I was used to.
Suddenly, I was more fascinated by how companies used online platforms to connect with customers than how they balanced their books. I saw the power of digital marketing: how it could grow a brand, reach millions, and connect with the right audience in ways that traditional marketing could never do. I was convinced this was something I wanted to explore further.
Making the Leap: Learning Digital Marketing
I wasn’t about to leave my BCom degree behind entirely (I had put too much time and effort into it), but I realized I needed to start learning about digital marketing if I was serious about making this shift. So, I started doing what any curious student would do: I researched online courses, listened to podcasts, and read as much as I could on the subject. From Google Analytics to social media advertising, I absorbed everything, even while finishing my BCom assignments.
At first, it was a lot to take in. The marketing world felt like a whole new language — keywords, conversion rates, retargeting ads. But what helped me was seeing the connections between what I was learning in my business courses and the practical skills I was picking up in marketing. My BCom had given me a solid foundation in business strategy, and I realized I could apply that to digital marketing. The more I learned, the more it clicked. I started to see how digital marketing was just another way to use data, strategy, and creativity to drive business growth.
Internship Time: From Theoretical to Hands-On
The next step in my journey was gaining real-world experience. I knew that to make this transition work, I needed to get my hands dirty and apply what I’d learned. So, I took the leap and applied for an internship at a digital marketing agency. It wasn’t glamorous at first — let’s be real, I started with things like content creation, social media management, and basic data analysis. But it was the perfect way to get started.
Being in an actual digital marketing team was an eye-opener. I learned how campaigns were planned, launched, and measured. I was able to see firsthand how businesses used things like SEO and email marketing to reach their customers. It wasn’t just theory anymore; it was real, impactful work.
The Big Shift: Digital Marketing Full-Time
By the time I graduated with my BCom, I was feeling pretty confident in my new career path. I didn’t want to go into finance anymore. Instead, I was ready to go full force into digital marketing. I started applying for full-time digital marketing roles, and soon enough, I landed a junior digital marketing position.
At first, it was a little intimidating. I was surrounded by seasoned marketers who knew the ropes. But my BCom background was an asset — it gave me a unique perspective on business and strategy, which helped me approach digital marketing from a slightly different angle. I started managing social media campaigns, creating content strategies, running paid ads, and analyzing performance data. And you know what? I absolutely loved it.
What I Learned Along the Way
Your Degree Is Just One Piece of the Puzzle: When I started my BCom, I thought it was going to be the ultimate guide to my career. But the truth is, your degree doesn’t define you — it’s just the beginning. Learning new skills and following your passions will shape your career.
You Don’t Need to Have Everything Figured Out: I didn’t know I wanted to be a digital marketer when I started my BCom. I didn’t even know digital marketing was a thing! But being open to new ideas and following where your interests lead you can open up unexpected doors.
Embrace Continuous Learning: Digital marketing is constantly evolving. I’m still learning every day — whether it’s new tools, trends, or strategies. The best part is, there’s always something new to discover, and you never stop growing.
Blend Your Skills: What I learned in BCom — business strategy, analysis, and understanding market dynamics — was directly applicable to digital marketing. I found that blending these skills made me a more effective marketer.
