Success Story: Stephanie Ilmedo
Success Story: Stephanie Ilmedo
CDMP Batch 11
What was your work background before enrolling in DMI?
I do strategy work for an insurance company. The role is heavy on research, planning, crafting of reports, and updating top management for any intra- and extra-industry developments. I am also a Certified Public Accountant by profession, so my exposure is more on financial and business analysis. Prior to DMI, I had no formal training in digital marketing. My interest in the field only grew as I was further exposed to it during one of the research projects I worked on, and when I saw how impactful it can be in a business if done the right way.
What influenced your decision to study and get certified in digital marketing?
It was my previous boss who initially encouraged our team to get ourselves grounded on digital marketing. Since the trend now revolves on everything digital, we have to keep ourselves updated on how to connect with our customers better and how to continuously find ways to stay relevant.
Why did you choose to study with DMI?
DMI piqued my interest because of its credibility. Apart from the CDMP course being internationally recognized, the well-structured and comprehensive curriculum provides a good foundation on digital marketing. You also get to experience learning from industry practitioners themselves. This is very important for me because experience obtained from actual practice always trumps mere theory.
How has it helped you in your business or work?
The program definitely helped me gain a better understanding on how competition works in the industry I am in, most especially now that everyone is trying to take up space in the digital arena. I was able to bring more valuable insights to the table because of the different principles and disciplines I acquired in class. This gave me a wider perspective in terms of evaluating and analyzing prospect projects and strategic investments for the company.
Since completing the program, how has your career progressed?
I’m still with the same company as I was prior to enrolling in DMI. After completing the program, I was assigned more research projects which heavily involved the analysis of our competitors’ marketing initiatives. Since my exposure wasn’t entirely limited to data and numbers anymore, I was able to produce more thorough and better-quality reports that are not just hinged on my previous field of expertise. Being exposed to more varied types of projects definitely pushed me to learn, apply, and eventually acquire more skill sets, which I wouldn’t have in the first place if it weren’t for this program.
What’s your advice for new students?
Always have a knack for learning new things. Take notes and ask curious questions from your subject matter experts during class. Do the practice exercises repeatedly. You and your classmates will most likely come from different industries and work experiences, so use that opportunity to learn from them, too. If you are juggling this with a full-time job, keep in mind how your learnings in class can help you and the company. This mindset will help you get a better appreciation of digital marketing and its application in practice.
How would you describe your learning experience with DMI?
What I liked the most about the program is its holistic approach. Learning did not stop from our classes alone. We were given the chance to share our thoughts with one another through group collaborations and discussions. The wide range of resources provided also gave us plenty of chances to practice and hone our skills in digital marketing. All these became worthwhile because we were given the right avenues to maximize our learning opportunities.
