Last month we featured London’s Student Support Group celebrating 20 years of helping the Institute’s students to pass. We heard from Andrew, Lynda and Sharon who told their stories, and this month, Malika and Ann tell us about their experiences.
In addition to the wide scope of services for studying members from the Institute’s headquarters at Moor Hall, the Greater London region provides local support by working with various study centres, including the Student Support Group (SSG).
Current student, Malika
Marketing Executive, Malika Joaille, is currently studying for a CIM qualification. Here’s her story.
Which CIM qualification are you studying for?
I am currently studying for the CAM/CIM Diploma in Digital Marketing.
How long have you been studying for?
I started to study for this qualification in September 2011. I have taken 2 modules and I have another one to take.
How are SSG helping you?
I studied for a CIM qualification previously with another provider and struggled to find the time to study or work on my assignment. I then gave up when I was pregnant as I couldn’t see how I would manage to get the qualification.
SSG has a different approach and helps with planning my work to ensure I get things done but also to ensure I stay up-to-date with new digital marketing trends. They have a very practical approach that helps you grasp the concepts and theory really well. They are also very good at motivating you to find the time and get the best out of you.
How has your career progressed since you took your exams/assignments – where are you now?
I started my current job last July, so although nothing has happened yet on that level, the skills I have acquired studying for this Diploma in Digital marketing with SSG, I use them on a regular basis and they also help me for personal projects. I have just finished the second module and will be starting the last one in the next few months, still with SSG.
Please give a message of support for The Student Support Group in its 20th year
My message will be really to thank The Student Support Group for their help, congratulate them for all the good work they have done over the past 20 years and encourage them to carry on. They are a lovely team, very approachable and friendly but still focused on the success of their students.
A Tutor’s perspective
Ann Prayle is a SSG Tutor and Chartered Marketer, and has been involved with the Institute since 2002. Here’s Ann’s story.
How SSG helped me
Initially I did a couple of postgraduate retakes with SSG in 2002/3. In particular, I enrolled on the case study course at the time when SSG was the only study centre accredited to support re-takers. They helped me in two distinct ways back then. Firstly, great revision classes to retake a Post Graduate exam, with focused content on key concepts with a knowledgeable and enthusiastic tutor. They also got me through the case study exam which was another retake. SSG’s style is very different than the college I’d originally enrolled on – not only better quality of teaching but opportunity to work in groups, rehearse the key concepts and do a mock exam. SSG offers affordable, one to one tuition too which helped ensure I was fully prepared on my weaker areas. I also remember the calm, helpful and reassuring voice at the end of the phone which was Caroline! It was very useful to have direct contact with one person.
More recently in 2006, I successfully completed the e-marketing award with SSG. This has long-since grown and evolved from revision only into individual study support specialists without losing any of the original appeal.
How my career progressed
The skills and qualifications I developed helped me land my first senior marketing role and I quickly utilised a lot of what I had learnt. CIM qualifications had a positive effect on my CV because, unlike a lot of my marketing manager colleagues, I hadn’t been to university so only had GCSEs and a college diploma before I added CIM to the list of qualifications.
My involvement with SSG
Just after graduating in 2003, I was asked by one of the tutors, Jon, to do a short presentation to upcoming studying members about life as a student combining studying with a full time job. It was one of the first times I’d ever spoken in public and was terrified! Apparently I did well – so much so that Jon asked me afterwards if I’d ever considered a career in teaching! Well, I hadn’t at that time but just over a year later that’s exactly what I did – although I have to be honest it was with some trepidation!
So I started doing some certificate classes as a trainee tutor with SSG as well as more studying member events so they quickly helped me get to be a confident public speaker. I practised what I was preaching at the time as I combined part-time teaching (rather than studying) with a full time job.
Without realising it, much of the knowledge and skills I need today were learnt at SSG. My early teaching experiences were all around assignment subjects, so quickly became knowledgeable of not only the different subjects but the assignment process and this without doubt helped me land other teaching roles. Jon also invited me to join the CIM GLR Branch and my involvement led to arranging studying member events and producing a range of podcasts on studying skills for the CIM website to benefit all CIM students.
Today…
These days, I am a regular tutor with SSG and sit on the CIM GLR Board. So, almost 10 years on from my CIM student days, I continue to work with them to this day. I’m still teaching, now very much a career choice with a young family. I also spend time on marketing consultancy work through my contacts made through association with CIM and the study centres I work for. I enjoy my work very much and am very glad that Jon spotted the potential for something which I hadn’t!!
Find out more?
To find out how Student Support Group and the other study centres across the country can help you with your CIM studies, please call Caroline on 01784 463057 or email caroline@studentsupportgroup.co.uk
{ 0 comments }
We are pleased to tell you that 
How to apply to have a mentor
Achieving Chartered Marketer status is the mark of an up to date, experienced and qualified marketing professional. As more and more members register for Continuous Professional Development every year on the course to achieve this status, we take a look and congratulate the Greater London members who have become chartered this year.
In addition to the wide scope of services for studying members from 
Andrew Celia is Marketing Manager – Data & Digital, for Letchworth Garden City’s Heritage Foundation in Hertfordshire.
10 years on…
I was passionate about the work I was doing and really enjoyed the Diploma as it created a structure and clarity to what we were trying to achieve in our working environment. The SSG came along at the right time for me for several reasons. Firstly, I had put a lot of time and effort into my studies and wanted to ensure that I had not missed any important areas. The SSG gave me the opportunity to do this. Secondly, I wanted the chance to revise the work with exam papers and discuss the Modules from a different perspective. Again, the SSG provided this opportunity with a friendly and fun approach. Thirdly, as an SSG attendee I learnt and put into practice hints and tips for getting through those exams, and quickly gained a clear understanding of what the Examiner expected. Finally and most importantly for me, SSG offered one to one coaching which was invaluable as it helped me to look at my work from a critical viewpoint. It is easy to set off on a single minded track without looking at another perspective. This was of particular relevance with the Case Study paper. I was proud to obtain a Distinction in this Module.
20 years on…
Congratulation to the winning team:
Study Success? Whether you passed everything in 2011, or not, there are some big decisions to be made.
I passed – what next?
The Institute’s 
Wherever you are in your marketing career you can never afford to stop learning. Continuing with your studies is a great way to demonstrate to employers, prospective employers or clients, that you are serious about your marketing career. CIM puts you on the right path to develop your learning, acquire CPD points and become a 
Step 3 – SSG will then offer you a free 
Step 4 – SSG can review a failed assignment/discuss your exam performance and help you see where you went wrong (some fees apply). Then they can provide you with a choice of 
Right now, many of our London studying members will be waiting for their assignment and exam results, due at the end of August. So now may be the ideal time to take a short break and think about your study plans for the Autumn.
If you’d like some help with your personal study plan, or like to chat about any other aspect of CIM study, Student Support Group can help with free advice on their:
