Digital Marketing Success: Brighton Graduate’s Journey to Informa Markets

At the University of Brighton, we love seeing our graduates go on to do amazing things in their careers. One of our recent Digital Marketing MSc graduates, Afia Hussain has done just that—she’s landed an exciting role at Informa Markets as a PPC Specialist, Search and Social Specialist.

In her new job, she’s responsible for managing and optimising paid search and social media campaigns, analysing performance data, and coming up with strategies to get the best results. “I’m particularly excited about working on large-scale advertising campaigns in the B2B industry, using AI-driven analytics, and staying on top of the latest digital marketing trends.” she said.

Getting this role didn’t happen by chance—it took planning and effort. We spoke Afia to learn more about her journey toward achieving this milestone in her career. She shared that “I actively searched for jobs in digital marketing through LinkedIn, industry job boards, and company websites. My strong LinkedIn presence and networking helped me find out about the opportunity at Informa Markets.” The application process included a tailored CV and cover letter, followed by several interview rounds focusing on technical skills and strategic thinking.

She shared that her time at the University of Brighton played a huge role in preparing her for this opportunity. She had already completed an MBA and had four years of industry experience, but wanted to develop her digital marketing expertise further, especially in areas like paid media, analytics, and performance marketing. “The MSc in Digital Marketing at the University of Brighton stood out because of its focus on real-world application, advanced-level theory, and data-driven decision-making.”

Brighton was the perfect choice for her because of its strong reputation in digital marketing, experienced lecturers, and hands-on approach to learning. “The course structure matched my career goals, and the opportunity to learn from industry professionals through guest lectures and workshops made it an easy choice. Plus, the University of Brighton is AACSB accredited, putting it among the top 6% of business schools globally.”

Throughout the course, she built technical skills in SEO, PPC advertising, and social media strategy. “I also gained hands-on experience with industry-standard tools like Meta Business Suite and data analytics platforms. The coursework helped me understand how to interpret data and use it to make smart marketing decisions.”

One of the highlights of the course was the Digital Marketing module. “It gave me a deep dive into PPC, paid social advertising, and search engine marketing (SEM). The hands-on assignments, where we worked on real campaigns, really helped me apply what I was learning to practical situations.”

The MSc programme also helped her career in other ways. She shared that “The university hosted industry events and career fairs where I met marketing professionals and potential employers. The mentorship and career support services helped me fine-tune my job applications.”

Looking back, she believes the MSc programme prepared her well for the workplace, especially by teaching her how to use tools like Google Analytics, Meta Ads Manager, and SEMrush. “The real-world case studies and group projects helped me develop problem-solving and teamwork skills, which are essential in my current role.”

Her advice for anyone thinking about doing the MSc in Digital Marketing at Brighton is to “Make the most of the hands-on projects and networking opportunities. Go beyond the coursework—try different marketing analytics tools, keep up with industry trends, and build a strong LinkedIn profile. Most importantly, connect with your lecturers and career advisors—they have great advice that can really shape your career.”

Her journey shows how a strong academic foundation, practical experience, and networking can open doors to exciting career opportunities. We’re excited to see what she accomplishes next!

Find out more about studying Digital Marketing MSc at Brighton.