Alumni

Jonny Forsey

Career Path: Digital Marketing Specialist, Flash Pack
Location: London, UK

Having initially left Northumbria with experience running my own business, I was looking to develop my skills further in London. With skills in videography, photography and web development I've always been interested in looking to apply these in a high growth startup. Having misjudged how long it took me to get a job and 40+ applications later, I attended a job fair in London with companies like Airbnb, Houzz and many other startups. I spoke with a lady from a company called Flash Pack, a really small company with only 25+ employees. Having previously tested a business in the travel sector, I knew this could be a vertical I would be interested in. The next day I applied for a Marketing Intern role at the company and messaged the lady I met at the fair telling her that I had applied. A week later I received a call telling me that the position had been filled, however they were so impressed with my CV and background of running my own business that they would create a role for me helping to run their Facebook advertising and working alongside their agency.

What are you doing now?

I am now running all of Flash Pack's Facebook, Instagram and Youtube advertising. I got promoted at the end of February to a Digital Marketing Specialist, which allows me to generalise across all the marketing channels and to create the adverts, upload them to the ad accounts and scale the adverts across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand, Germany and Ireland. I also work very closely Flash Pack's designated account managers at Facebook, Google, Pinterest and Smartly and get access to all the new features before they're released to the general public.

What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?

The opportunity to run my business on the Entrepreneurial Business Management course. Also the opportunity to try another city that was different from my home.

What was it like studying at Northumbria?

Due to the nature of the course, I really enjoyed the opportunity to work closely with other students on various projects. Seminars and lectures aren't really my style of learning, but by learning through doing, it enabled me to rapidly develop and expand my skill set in videography, website design, photography and Facebook advertising.

How connected was your course with industry?

Very connected, as we had the opportunity to go to networking events and working closely with other startups in Newcastle.

What was the best thing about your course?

The freedom to learn and experiment with different aspects of business. You simply can't learn this in a book or lecture hall.

How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/ give your career an edge?

By providing me with the safety to test and try new ideas, but also the opportunities that it created for me. I don't know many graduates who have also had opportunities to try and run their own business. A first on just a normal business degree just isn't going to cut it anymore. You need the experience or at least a growth mindset.

Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?

Videography, Facebook advertising, Photography, email marketing, CRM, web design, project management, leadership, web development (HTML & CSS), inter-personal skills and team skills.

What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?

Having had all the opportunities that I had. In my first year, the University sponsored me to go to Silicon Valley where I pitched one of my business ideas to Kleiner Perkins, Caufield and Byers, a major VC firm in the Bay area. I also founded the University's Enactus society, where I had the opportunity to run several social projects which made a difference in the local community.

What advice would you give somebody who is considering studying at Northumbria?

Take all the opportunities that are given to you. Don't just make the mistake of getting a degree, because every other student at a university has one of those. What will really make you stand out? Learn to code, learn marketing. Go out and attend networking events, because that's the only way you're going to ever be successful. If you are stuck, start by joining Enactus. You won't get similar opportunities to develop yourself as a leader as good as this. Your attitude is everything, if you are a negative person then don't expect others to enjoy being around you. Go out and let your ambition drive your actions.