Member StoriesTheresa Van Tonder

Tell us a bit about your experience before the Digital Marketing Institute

As a journalist with a burning entrepreneurial spirit, I saw an opportunity in the digital space for the development of a digital marketing agency – that's how Winggirl Marketing came to be 7 years ago.

What influenced your decision to study in the digital field?

Initially, I thought I could transfer my existing traditional marketing skills to digital but I quickly learned that there was a lot more to digital marketing than just reiterating traditional marketing techniques online.

Ever the intrepid academic explorer, I decided that I wanted to upskill in the digital industry in order to grow my business and provide sound marketing advice to my clients.

Why did you choose to study your course with the Digital Marketing Institute?

After much research, I was able to find all the elements of what I was looking for in terms of my academic development in my field. The way that the Digital Marketing Institute bridges academia with real world examples and case studies was perfect. The course is 100% online, so the ability to access a world-class learning platform from anywhere in the world was a major consideration. A busy entrepreneur; partner and mother never has a set schedule and the flexibility of the study programme was a perfect fit.

Since completing the course in the Digital Marketing Institute, how has your Career progressed?

As a business owner in South Africa, certifying my skills with this digital qualification earned me greater respect among my clients and prospects.

Moreover, I was approached by ABSA Bank, one of the “big 4” banks in South Africa and a member of the Barclays Group to head up their Digital Publishing division. The ability to balance the demands of my business alongside the growing demands of corporate life is down to the exposure I had from the Digital Marketing Institute.

Is there any advice you would give to new or future students at the Digital Marketing Institute?

Don't procrastinate! As the saying goes, “procrastination is the thief of time” and this couldn't be truer when studying a Postgraduate Diploma through the Digital Marketing Institute. Set yourself a schedule and whether you're a business executive; CEO; mother or learner – follow the guidelines given to you to save you from late nights and bleary-eyed mornings!

In one word, how would you describe your time in the Digital Marketing Institute?

Whoopah!