Philip Hamilton – BBs (Hons) in Marketing

Name: Philip Hamilton

School: Summerhill College, Sligo

Tell us a little bit about yourself and why you chose Marketing?

Like many, coming out of secondary education, I was unsure of what I wanted to do. I have always had an interest in technology, so I decided to do a computing course at ATU Sligo. After two years, I realised it was not for me. I then transferred to Marketing. I wanted to make use of some of the software skills I had picked up, combined with the creative flair I have. I thought this would be the perfect marriage of these skills. After receiving my distinction in Marketing, I continued my studies in order to achieve a level 8 honours degree.  

Tell us why you chose ATU Sligo? 

Growing up in Sligo, it seemed like a no-brainer to stay. While Sligo is relatively small, a lot is going on and it is a cultural hub in the Northwest. With so much history, art, and scenery, it is a great town to study in. Of course, the reputation of ATU Sligo itself precedes it. Producing some of the best graduates, and ranking in the top 5 higher education institutions in Ireland by U-Multirank, ATU Sligo is among the best in the country.  

I completed my work placement in the Sligo Credit Union, and the experience I gained from it was fantastic. There are so many situations that pop up in the workplace that are so hard to prepare for in class. Learning to adapt on the fly is a great skill to have, and placement helps develop that skill. My time management and ability to prioritise certain tasks over others were also greatly improved by placement.

What specifically about the course do you particularly enjoy? 

Within the realm of Digital Marketing, I have taken an interest in the content creation aspect. From graphic design to video editing, I feel that I have found my calling in this field of marketing. That is not to say I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed other aspects, such as micro and macroeconomics, as well as the early modules about the fundamentals of marketing theory.  

What is the best thing about your degree that you think new applicants should know?

If you have a creative flair, which does not necessarily need to be artistic, this course is for you. Marketing is all about finding creative and effective solutions to a challenge that as selling a product or service. Whether it’s being creative through art, or through finding an inventive way of marketing a product, you are given the freedom to do so.  

If you were speaking with a first-year student about to start your degree, what advice would you give them?

I would advise them to attend all classes. While notes might be available online and such, the knowledge you pick up from discussions in class is invaluable. The more classes you attend, the more these nuggets of knowledge add up. The more classes you miss, a rut can begin to form where you don’t want to return to a certain class out of fear of the lecturer noticing they haven’t seen you. This can lead to so many missed learning opportunities. 

What are your plans after ATU Sligo?

After ATU Sligo, I am hoping to move somewhere for a new experience, whether in Ireland or abroad, while also furthering my marketing career. One of my main goals would be to eventually move into the area of video game marketing. While being one of the fastest-growing and most lucrative industries, it is also an industry I have had a very strong interest in since I was essentially a toddler.

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