INTERVIEW WITH REBECCA UTTRIDGE, FIELD MARKETING MANAGER at LINKEDIN
In our conversation with Rebecca Uttridge, Field Marketing Manager at LinkedIn, she opens up about her journey. She talks about the hurdles she encountered, her learning and growth, and provides valuable insights on important topics like workplace diversity. This interview is an opportunity to draw lessons from Rebecca's experiences.
Personal Journey
WIDD Network: How did you discover your passion for Marketing and what steps did you take to pursue it?
BECCA: I left university with a degree in Journalism and honestly had no idea what I wanted to do, I had to secure work quickly to pay the bills and enable myself time to understand what I was passionate about. Being able to take a step back from my degree and understand the skills it had armed me with and what areas I truly enjoyed enabled me to see a clear path in Marketing. I reached out to my network of marketeers who I had met throughout University and connected with them to see if there were any opportunities available, this led to a contact recommending me for my first marketing role and getting invited to an interview. I feel extremely fortunate to have been given that opportunity as it led me to really focus on where I wanted my marketing career to take me and showcased how strong your network can truly be.
Challenges and Growth
WIDD NETWORK: What has been the most challenging aspect of your career, and how did you overcome it?
BECCA: The most challenging aspect of my career has to have been my move to a new industry almost two years ago. After having spent 6 years in Automotive both in the aftermarket and at a vehicle manufacturer I realised I was ready for a change and wanted to step away from the industry to find my passion. Joining LinkedIn was quite nerve-racking at first. Not only had I changed industries completely, I also moved from B2C to B2B marketing which was completely new territory for me. Coming into the business I suffered massively with imposter syndrome and didn't believe that I would ever be able to get fully up to speed and confident in what I was doing. I am really fortunate to be surrounded by phenomenal people at LinkedIn who genuinely care about each other and want to see everyone thrive. Overcoming my imposter syndrome was a mix of becoming more self aware and support from the team. I think it is natural to have newbie nerves but I think knowing that you were taken on in the first place should be a huge confidence boost (hindsight is a wonderful thing).
Mentorship and Learning
WIDD NETWORK: Have you had a mentor who played a crucial role in your career? How did they impact your professional development?
BECCA: I don't know if i have had a singular mentor that has played a crucial role but more a few significant people who have been able to guide me, give me very honest feedback and help me identify opportunities for growth and development. One person is my current manager, as soon as I joined LinkedIn she has been a key person who has enabled me to build my confidence when I doubt myself (which is quite often), showcase how I can leverage my strengths and what developmental areas I have and how these can be turned into a core strength. Not only has she built my confidence to enable me to battle my spirals and my self-doubt she has been a constant role model for how to act as a manager and senior Marketeer, I constantly look to what she is doing and how this resonates with the wider teams and take mental notes for how I wish to develop.
Diversity
WIDD NETWORK: What's your take on diversity?
BECCA: Diversity is crucial for organisations to move forward and be successful, diversity of teams is diversity of thought and where organisations lack diversity they are limiting themselves and their employees of what could be achieved. I think for me I find it odd that this is still something that isn't just a given within the world of work in 2023.
WIDD NETWORK: What has attracted you to WIDD Network?
BECCA: As I mentioned earlier, I truly believe that your network can be a core strength within your career, I was drawn to WIDD as it enables me to connect with like-minded marketeers who are passionate about developing themselves and their careers. I hope one day I can help someone in the way that I was first supported when I came into the world of marketing.
Industry Insights
WIDD NETWORK: What trends or developments in the industry do you find most exciting or challenging right now?
BECCA: I think no one will be surprised by this but AI for me is something I find completely fascinating, i am excited to see how it will improve efficiencies within marketing roles and how it will automate some of the more administrative tasks and enable us to increase focus on strategy and moving the needle. I think seeing how creative could change and develop with the power of AI will be great to see as advertising itself evolves.
Advice for Aspiring Professionals
WIDD NETWORK: If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
BECCA: I think the one thing I would tell my younger self is you don't have to have your life mapped out by 25, many doors will open and close, staying true to your passion and your determination will enable you to get where you want to go, and also to not be so hard on yourself.
WIDD NETWORK: What advice do you have for young professionals aspiring to excel in Marketing?
BECCA: Don't be scared to take a leap into a completely different area or industry, marketing has so many transferrable skills and making that jump could open up opportunities that lead you on to finding your dream role. At LinkedIn we like to call these Intelligent Risks.
Legacy and Future Goals
WIDD NETWORK: How do you envision the impact of your work in the long term, and what legacy do you hope to leave?
BECCA: This is a good question, I think overall I would like to inspire people, whether that is to take a risk, dream big or find contentment in where they are. Marketing is so powerful and I feel that we are in the right place to tell key messages that shape how people view certain areas.
Personal Insights
WIDD NETWORK: Outside of work, what hobbies or activities bring you joy and recharge your creativity?
BECCA: I am a passionate gamer, walker, gym addict and reader, I love spending hours on the PlayStation and unwinding normally with the latest Assassin's Creed, when i'm not gaming I will probably be reading, i have an absolute love for all books by Karin Slaughter, James Pattison and Colleen Hoover. Outside of this I love escaping to the Cotswolds for a long walk with my husband and our Chocolate Labrador Poppy. For the past 7 years I have also been a bit of a gym addict and have been fortunate to build a gym in the garage and try to train at least 5-6 times a week whether that is cardio or weight lifting.
WIDD NETWORK: Is there a mantra or guiding principle that you live by in both your personal and professional life?
BECCA: Growing up my dad would always say "every problem has a solution, otherwise the problem would never exist' and I try to approach everything in life with this saying knowing that when things get challenging there is always a solution out there that will make things easier.
WIDD NETWORK: Who inspires you (your inspirational woman or man (alive or not)?
BECCA: I have always been inspired by my sister (sounds cheesy) but she has always been an independent woman who part way through her career went back to change her direction at University and has since been following her passion in writing and is looking to become a published Author, seeing her grit and determination to succeed in her passion always inspires me to continue to push even when things get difficult. I think having a stronger female role model in my family has always been a huge source of inspiration.
WIDD NETWORK: What’s your favourite quote
BECCA: Something my colleague said to me before has always resonated with me is "it's nice to be important but it's more important to be nice".
Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn
Do you have interesting experiences and would want to be featured? Send us an email at ‘hello@widdnetwork.com’ with the subject “Interested in sharing my experiences’.
