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From Participant to Strategist: Sharpening My Marketing Skills Through MARKCubator

A deep dive into campaign execution, social media strategy, and content creation in a real-world setting



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I'm sincerely grateful for the 8-month journey with MARKCubator—it gave me the kind of real-world experience I could never have gained through coursework alone during my time at UNSW.


Throughout the program, I participated in and led multiple marketing subjects and networking events, getting involved in everything from high-level decision-making to hands-on execution. It was through this process—planning, coordinating, communicating, and problem-solving—that I truly realized: while academic knowledge is valuable, turning an idea into reality requires a completely different set of practical skills.


And it was in navigating that space between theory and execution that I was truly shaped and transformed.


It All Started with a Social Media Post

I still remember the moment vividly. I was scrolling through social media, feeling overwhelmed and anxious about my future. I had academic knowledge from university, but I had no idea how to take the next step. I was eager to find an internship or a job, but didn’t know where—or how—to begin.


That was when I came across a post by Dr Theresa. She was sharing career advice, internship insights, and marketing-related tips in a tone that was both professional and genuinely encouraging. The fact that she was a seasoned marketing professional and a lecturer at UNSW immediately caught my attention—and made me feel that her words truly carried weight.


Her post struck a chord with me, and I felt an unexpected sense of trust. So I reached out—just to try my luck. To my surprise, she replied quickly, and even offered to speak with me one-on-one. That conversation gave me clarity, encouragement, and a practical entry point into the real marketing world—and it marked the beginning of my journey with MARKCubator.



Planning the Message: Our Approach to Social Media Campaigns

One of the key aspects of our work at MARKCubator was not just organizing events, but making sure the right people heard about them. That’s where our social media campaign planning came in.

 

Before any events were launched, our team developed an 8-month content calendar that mapped out key campaign milestones—including promotion periods, platform strategies, and visual themes. This early planning helped ensure that every initiative—from offline coffee chats to online interview series—was supported by cohesive and timely communication.

 

For every major event, we approached content strategically: first by clarifying the event’s value proposition, then by defining our target audience across platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, and Red Note (Xiaohongshu). We created a posting calendar aligned with the campaign timeline, and assigned tasks such as content writing, visual design, and post scheduling among team members. I actively contributed to both copywriting and visual content design.

 

This experience gave me a practical understanding of multi-platform messaging, branding consistency, and how to collaborate effectively under tight timelines. It also deepened my appreciation for the behind-the-scenes work that drives visibility and engagement.



From Participant to Lead Organizer: Mingle & Dine

The first event I worked on was MARKCubator’s Mingle & Dine, and it turned out to be a milestone experience.


As the year was coming to a close and the holiday season approached, we decided to host a networking dinner inviting past alumni of the program, along with current students who were looking to connect and ask questions. I was responsible for the event end-to-end, from locking in the date and venue, inspecting the restaurant, and creating the RSVP form, to sending email/SMS reminders, coordinating the event flow, managing visuals and banners, and doing post-event follow-up and capping.


I’ll be honest—it felt overwhelming at first. But with Theresa’s guidance and the incredible support of my project teammates Felcia and Rachel, we made it happen.


What made the experience even more rewarding was the opportunity to speak with and learn from so many accomplished, warm, and generous alumni. Their advice gave me clarity and confidence in my own career direction. I realized that some of the most important answers don’t come from books—but from real conversations with people who’ve walked the path before me.



Mastering the Details: Networking Masterclass

Next, I helped organize the MARKCubator Networking Masterclass, held at Burwood Library. The event featured three guest speakers and over 20 engaged participants. The atmosphere was warm, open, and full of great energy.


My role focused on on-site coordination—from venue setup and participant reception to capturing high-quality photos and videos. I gained a new appreciation for what it takes to run a smooth, impactful event behind the scenes.


What surprised with me most was when several passersby stopped to ask what the event was about—some even said, “You should host this every week!” That kind of spontaneous, genuine interest reminded me that when you create something valuable, people will naturally be drawn to it.



Deep Conversations Behind the Lens: Ask Me Anything

In addition to organizing and supporting events, I also took part in the MARKCubator Ask Me Anything interview series, where I helped with the video recording and production process. One of the most memorable moments was when I had the chance to personally interview guest speaker Karine Lo, an inspiring professional with years of experience in marketing and communications.


This experience was incredibly rewarding on two levels. First, it gave me the opportunity to engage in a meaningful one-on-one conversation with someone from the industry, ask thoughtful questions, and learn from her unique career journey. Second, being involved in the filming and editing process allowed me to gain hands-on experience in video production—from setting up the shoot to understanding how to frame interviews and capture usable content for post-production.


It was a perfect blend of communication, storytelling, and technical learning—skills that are becoming increasingly essential in today’s marketing landscape.



Going Proactive: Espresso Your Potential

The final event I worked on was Espresso Your Potential, and it was a different kind of challenge. This time, we didn’t just rely on online promotion—we decided to go offline and meet our target audience where they were.


We set up campaigns at three of Sydney’s major campuses—UNSW, UTS, and USYD—interacting with students directly. Through these face-to-face interactions, I practiced identifying ideal participants, crafting concise and compelling messages, and persuading them to join. It was almost like real-world sales training.


Every participant was genuinely engaged, many had already connected with us through our campus outreach, which built trust and allowed for deeper conversations. Each attendee also had a 10-minute one-on-one mentoring session with Theresa, which added immense value to the overall experience.


It was one of the most memorable events I participated in—and I’m especially grateful to Theresa for her generosity, guidance, and consistent support.


Finding Clarity, Confidence, and Passion

Looking back, each event I contributed to helped form a bigger picture. Together, they sharpened my understanding of what marketing truly looks like in the real world—messy, fast-moving, human, and full of opportunity. From strategy and execution to storytelling and real-time communication, I developed skills I never could have learned from textbooks alone.


More importantly, I gained something deeper: clarity and confidence in my path. I’ve become more certain than ever that marketing isn’t just something I’m interested in—it’s what I’m passionate about. It’s where I want to build something meaningful and long-lasting.


Marketing connects people. It tells stories. It creates value. And through MARKCubator, I’ve discovered that this is the work I want to keep doing—not just to grow myself, but to contribute to the field in a real way.


Thank you to everyone I met along the way. And thank you, MARKCubator, for being the place where it all began.


To Future MARKCubator Students:

If you ever get the chance to join MARKCubator—go for it. It’s not just another internship or uni project. It’s a space where you’ll actually get to try, fail, learn, and grow alongside some really supportive people. You won’t just build skills—you’ll build confidence, direction, and real stories to tell. Show up, stay open, and make the most of it. You’ll walk out not just with experience, but with a whole new mindset. Talk to MARKCubator team to find out more.


This journey is only the start. I'm now ready to bring the same hands-on mindset and strategic thinking to future marketing roles. If you're looking for someone who thrives on collaboration, execution, and creativity—I'd love to connect.

 
 
 

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