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Need Advice on a Career Transition and Master’s Abroad?
I am currently working as an Executive Assistant at one of the top consulting firm. Over the past few years, I have gained experience in stakeholder management, project coordination, problem-solving, and supporting senior leaders. While I have learned a great deal in this role, I do not see myself pursuing this career path long term.
My goal is to pursue a Master in Management (MiM) or a Master’s in Marketing in the UK or Europe in the next couple of years. One of my concerns is that my academic profile is not particularly strong, although I have built solid professional experience.
I have been trying to transition into marketing and other business-related roles to gain more relevant experience before applying to graduate school. However, most of the opportunities I come across are within the Executive Assistant/administrative domain, and I have found it difficult to secure roles in marketing or related fields.
Given my background, what steps would you recommend I take to strengthen my profile for MiM or Master’s in Marketing programs? Would it be better to focus on transitioning into a different role first, pursue certifications and projects, or continue building experience in my current position while preparing for graduate school?
I would greatly appreciate any advice from professionals who have made similar career transitions or pursued these programs.
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12 answers
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Anuj’s Answer
Entrepreneurship is not just for geniuses or risk-takers. It rewards people who solve real problems persistently. Start small: build something for a niche you understand, talk to potential users, and iterate based on feedback.
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Rod’s Answer
I'd recommend finding a marketing role to try out first before applying to grad school. I agree with Tyler that you first need validation that this is indeed the right path for you before you invest more time and money on grad school.
I was in a similar boat as you when I first started in communications/public relations (PR). After college, I had taught English for two years in Japan, done an inside sales job for seven months at a small tech company, and worked at the Japanese Consulate in SF for 1.5 years before making the transition into PR. While I started at an entry level role, I found that my prior experience was actually quite helpful, and it helped me move up the ranks quickly (I was promoted four times in four years at my first PR agency). Your experience will give you good/better perspective than some newer/younger folks, and it will serve you well when you start into management ranks (e.g., how to listen to what people actually want; how to deal with people's egos, etc.).
If you purse a junior marketing role now, it would confirm your interest and also help you build out a stronger applications (e.g., experience, recommendation from a marketing leader at your company, etc.).
I was in a similar boat as you when I first started in communications/public relations (PR). After college, I had taught English for two years in Japan, done an inside sales job for seven months at a small tech company, and worked at the Japanese Consulate in SF for 1.5 years before making the transition into PR. While I started at an entry level role, I found that my prior experience was actually quite helpful, and it helped me move up the ranks quickly (I was promoted four times in four years at my first PR agency). Your experience will give you good/better perspective than some newer/younger folks, and it will serve you well when you start into management ranks (e.g., how to listen to what people actually want; how to deal with people's egos, etc.).
If you purse a junior marketing role now, it would confirm your interest and also help you build out a stronger applications (e.g., experience, recommendation from a marketing leader at your company, etc.).
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Ashley’s Answer
Hi Tracy! It's fantastic that you're thinking about going for a Master's degree. It's a big step and shows your courage. I'm curious about your move toward marketing and business roles to build experience before grad school. It might be a great idea to look for a Master's program with a solid internship part, so you can gain experience while studying. Also, if you're in any clubs or volunteer groups, you could offer to do some marketing work for them. It's a great way to build your skills and experience while you learn.
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Wong’s Answer
Hi Tracy. Your experience as an Executive Assistant has likely helped you develop valuable skills such as stakeholder management, communication, project coordination, and problem-solving, which are highly relevant to business and management programs.
While transitioning into a marketing role could strengthen your profile, it is not always necessary before applying. Admissions committees often value candidates who bring diverse professional backgrounds. Instead of focusing solely on changing jobs, you need to demonstrate how your current experience has contributed to business operations, strategic projects, and cross-functional collaboration. These experiences can be presented effectively in your applications and interviews.
To build a stronger profile for a Master’s in Marketing, you may consider pursuing relevant certifications in digital marketing, analytics, branding, or market research. Completing practical projects, freelance work, or volunteering for marketing-related initiatives can also help you gain hands-on experience and show genuine interest in the field.
While transitioning into a marketing role could strengthen your profile, it is not always necessary before applying. Admissions committees often value candidates who bring diverse professional backgrounds. Instead of focusing solely on changing jobs, you need to demonstrate how your current experience has contributed to business operations, strategic projects, and cross-functional collaboration. These experiences can be presented effectively in your applications and interviews.
To build a stronger profile for a Master’s in Marketing, you may consider pursuing relevant certifications in digital marketing, analytics, branding, or market research. Completing practical projects, freelance work, or volunteering for marketing-related initiatives can also help you gain hands-on experience and show genuine interest in the field.
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Tyler’s Answer
Hi Tracy,
Before anything else: have you actually tested whether you like marketing? You're considering a 1-2 year degree as the door into a field you haven't worked in yet. If the answer is no, that's the first thing to fix, because everything below depends on it.
A MiM is genuinely built for early-career switchers, so it's not a wrong fit for your situation. The question is whether it's the cheapest, fastest way in. Often it isn't. A master's pays off most when you already have a direction within a field and want to sharpen skills and expand your network, rather than when you're using it as the entry point itself.
The obstacle you describe, that only EA and admin roles come your way, won't be solved by networking alone. Networking off an EA profile tends to produce more EA referrals. What changes that is evidence: a self-initiated marketing project, a measurable win you can engineer from your current seat (volunteer to run a campaign, own social for a team event, take a freelance or nonprofit gig), or a credible certification that signals real intent rather than a resume sticker. Once you have something to point to, networking starts converting.
So my honest order would be: validate that you like the work, build one or two pieces of real marketing evidence, then network around that evidence, and only then decide if a MiM still adds something the market won't give you for free. In a tight 2026 job market, demonstrated interest plus a few warm connections beats a degree applied for from a standing start.
Happy to point you toward events and people worth meeting once you've got a project or two underway.
Validate the field before spending on it. Two to four informational chats with people actually doing marketing (not recruiters, not EAs who pivoted) tells you in a few weeks whether the day-to-day appeals. This is the cheapest possible test if you haven't done it yet..
Manufacture evidence from your current seat. As an EA at a top consulting firm you're closer to real marketing than you think: volunteer to run comms or social for an internal event, offer to help the marketing/BD team on a live project, or take a freelance/nonprofit gig (a small business, a charity, a friend's launch). One campaign with a number attached beats three certifications.
Pick one credible certification only if it fills a literal skills gap, not as a resume sticker. Google Analytics or HubSpot for credibility, Meta Blueprint if you're going performance/social. The cert is the excuse to do a project, not the achievement itself.
Network around the evidence, not before it. Once you have a project to point to, the same outreach converts very differently, because you're now "the EA who ran X" rather than "an EA who wants out."
Then decide on the MiM. If steps one through four get you into a junior marketing role, you may not need it. If you still want it, you now apply with demonstrated interest and a story, which strengthens the application your academic profile worry is about.
Before anything else: have you actually tested whether you like marketing? You're considering a 1-2 year degree as the door into a field you haven't worked in yet. If the answer is no, that's the first thing to fix, because everything below depends on it.
A MiM is genuinely built for early-career switchers, so it's not a wrong fit for your situation. The question is whether it's the cheapest, fastest way in. Often it isn't. A master's pays off most when you already have a direction within a field and want to sharpen skills and expand your network, rather than when you're using it as the entry point itself.
The obstacle you describe, that only EA and admin roles come your way, won't be solved by networking alone. Networking off an EA profile tends to produce more EA referrals. What changes that is evidence: a self-initiated marketing project, a measurable win you can engineer from your current seat (volunteer to run a campaign, own social for a team event, take a freelance or nonprofit gig), or a credible certification that signals real intent rather than a resume sticker. Once you have something to point to, networking starts converting.
So my honest order would be: validate that you like the work, build one or two pieces of real marketing evidence, then network around that evidence, and only then decide if a MiM still adds something the market won't give you for free. In a tight 2026 job market, demonstrated interest plus a few warm connections beats a degree applied for from a standing start.
Happy to point you toward events and people worth meeting once you've got a project or two underway.
Tyler recommends the following next steps:
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Michelle’s Answer
Breaking away from an Executive Assistant role can be tough. As others have noted when you are good at a role people want to keep you there. Focus on highlighting your experience to appeal to potential academic programs. I would say a Master's in Management would complement a well rounded EA's background. You have experience you can craft as evidence of strategic decisions and communications to show as a good candidate, despite any past academic struggles.
Even after earning my Master's, I continued working as an EA because my skills were in demand. I took temporary positions, which were easy to secure with a strong track record and allowed me to job hunt. I was upfront with my staffing recruiter that I didn't want to do this forever so I did a lot of parental leave replacement work where someone was expected to return to the job so everyone knew it wasn't forever. Was easier than temp-to-hire where they wanted to hire me in the role that we had a few early rounds with. The Master's will help sell you better as yes you were an EA, and hey you know a lot about the business because of that, but here is why you're even better in another role...
Even after earning my Master's, I continued working as an EA because my skills were in demand. I took temporary positions, which were easy to secure with a strong track record and allowed me to job hunt. I was upfront with my staffing recruiter that I didn't want to do this forever so I did a lot of parental leave replacement work where someone was expected to return to the job so everyone knew it wasn't forever. Was easier than temp-to-hire where they wanted to hire me in the role that we had a few early rounds with. The Master's will help sell you better as yes you were an EA, and hey you know a lot about the business because of that, but here is why you're even better in another role...
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Karen’s Answer
Hi Tracy, I can definitely relate to your situation. Early in my career, I transitioned from a receptionist and administrative role into a Marketing Coordinator position. At the time, I didn’t have a traditional marketing background, so I took night classes while working full-time to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing. Later in my career, I went on to complete an MBA which I believed has helped me to move into more leadership marketing roles.
One thing I learned is that many of the skills you’ve developed as an Executive Assistant are highly transferable to marketing and business roles. Stakeholder management, project coordination, communication, problem-solving, and supporting senior leaders are all valuable skills that many marketing professionals rely on every day.
My advice would be not to underestimate the value of your current experience. Rather than waiting for a perfect marketing title, look for opportunities within your current role to get involved in marketing, events, communications, employer branding, internal campaigns, business development initiatives, or cross-functional projects. These experiences can be just as valuable when applying for Master’s programs and also give you a chance to try out marketing related skills.
In parallel, consider building your marketing credentials through certifications (Google, HubSpot, LinkedIn Learning, 6sense. A lot of these programs are free. You could also volunteer for marketing-related projects, and creating tangible examples of your work. This will strengthen both your graduate school applications and your ability to transition into a marketing-focused role.
Your path may not be linear, but neither was mine. 😊 Focus on building relevant experience wherever you can, continue investing in your education, and don’t let your current title define your future career options. The combination of consulting experience, executive-level exposure, and a clear commitment to marketing could become a real strength in your applications.
Wishing you the best of luck with the transition Tracy!
One thing I learned is that many of the skills you’ve developed as an Executive Assistant are highly transferable to marketing and business roles. Stakeholder management, project coordination, communication, problem-solving, and supporting senior leaders are all valuable skills that many marketing professionals rely on every day.
My advice would be not to underestimate the value of your current experience. Rather than waiting for a perfect marketing title, look for opportunities within your current role to get involved in marketing, events, communications, employer branding, internal campaigns, business development initiatives, or cross-functional projects. These experiences can be just as valuable when applying for Master’s programs and also give you a chance to try out marketing related skills.
In parallel, consider building your marketing credentials through certifications (Google, HubSpot, LinkedIn Learning, 6sense. A lot of these programs are free. You could also volunteer for marketing-related projects, and creating tangible examples of your work. This will strengthen both your graduate school applications and your ability to transition into a marketing-focused role.
Your path may not be linear, but neither was mine. 😊 Focus on building relevant experience wherever you can, continue investing in your education, and don’t let your current title define your future career options. The combination of consulting experience, executive-level exposure, and a clear commitment to marketing could become a real strength in your applications.
Wishing you the best of luck with the transition Tracy!
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Sherry’s Answer
My response is a hybrid of the answers you have received so far from Cathy, Kristen, and Steve. I am an EA with experience at several large prominent companies. This role is not for everyone and if you recognize that, then that is okay. I always say it is just as important to know what you do not want to do in life as it is to know what you do want to do. Use your mid-year and/or year end performance evaluations as the perfect times to speak with your manager to let him/her know where you' d like to be in 5 years, professionally. If that opportunity is not present for you then set 1:1 time to talk about this and to ask how you can grow professionally, what steps you can take and what assignments you could take on to work across teams in your areas of interest. Tell your manager you'd like to speak with others in your firm who are in these roles and ask - or seek on your own - recommendations for people in your company who are in the space that you could reach out to for time on calendars for "coffee chats" and spend 20-30 mins talking with them to ask the same questions you posed here. Don't forget to ask what they do and do not like most about their careers and where they see it going in the future, especially now with AI. I find people are happy to spend time helping others in their careers and making connections. I find managers can tend to overlook EAs and assume they want to stay in the administrative box, so definitely speak up! Some managers just are not good at supporting their staff in their personal goals or, if you are good at your job, they don't want you to leave your role, so IF you do not feel you are getting the support you need to grow your career, then start planning your move elsewhere. Start arranging for coffee chats with external people. You will gain perspective from each person you meet, and they know people, who know people and so on. Best of luck to you!
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Kyra’s Answer
Hi Tracy! Starting a new role in a new function that you have limited experience in can be daunting. It can be difficult to feel like you're "starting over" when you've already advanced your career in other areas. However, my best advice would be to apply for an entry level marketing role and see if you like it before you spend the time and money on a Master's program. Marketing touches so many other functions, so you may determine that you don't really like that role, but you are interested in what your sales or operations counterparts are doing. It's a nice way to "try it before you buy it" as you look to make this career transition. Good luck!
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Kristen’s Answer
It seems you have a solid foundation for high value skills including problem solving and supporting senior leaders. If your goal is to make a career shift, consider looking within your current consulting firm for a position that aligns with areas you are interested in pursuing. Utilize your network or a mentor's network at your consulting firm. Your consulting firm would likely rather have you continue "in house" in a new role (as you have established work ethic) than leave for a new company. Getting experience in a new role can help guide your career transition and additional degrees you are interested in.
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Cathy’s Answer
Hi Tracy
Move quickly to get out of Admin. Company's tend to keep you there even if you tell them your interested in management. You well have to find employment outside of current company. Continue pursing Masters. Ask yourself why you want management, because employer will. Be extremely determined to change positions. Put yourself in employer shoes and answer direct honest questions how you can bring value to a new company. Don't let people box you into a role of Admin. Be determined. You can do this. I recommend Tony Robin's books, tells you exactly how to get and how to do it, step by step. You can do this!!!
Move quickly to get out of Admin. Company's tend to keep you there even if you tell them your interested in management. You well have to find employment outside of current company. Continue pursing Masters. Ask yourself why you want management, because employer will. Be extremely determined to change positions. Put yourself in employer shoes and answer direct honest questions how you can bring value to a new company. Don't let people box you into a role of Admin. Be determined. You can do this. I recommend Tony Robin's books, tells you exactly how to get and how to do it, step by step. You can do this!!!
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Steve’s Answer
The experience you have gathered so far is impressive, these are all very important skills that are transferable. The options are to leverage the experience you have as an EA to ask to be given additional responsibilities related to marketing. Some organisations offer rotational programs that get you exposed to marketing alternatively engage marketing stakeholders and take up projects. Coordination, events management, contributing to campaigns will be available to you.