An Interview with Jessica Cawthorne

Why have you decided to share your advice and experiences with Girl Economics?

We all experience it at some point in our careers, but imposter syndrome hit me hard when I first entered the world of marketing. Straight after finishing my A Levels, I joined the world of marketing with very little experience in the industry. Whilst I had great mentors, I couldn’t shake the feeling that what I had to offer wasn’t as good as those with years of experience. Looking back now, I know that’s not the case. We all have our unique perspectives that can help change the way business works, which is why I think it’s incredibly important that we share our experiences and stories. You never know who you could be helping!

What made you want to get into the marketing industry?
Honestly, I sort of fell into it. When I was completing my A Levels, I had no idea what career I wanted to pursue, so I hopped online and started research apprenticeships. When I came across the one I would eventually land, I instantly fell in love. Not just because I’d be working in a theatre (which if you know me, I am a HUGE theatre nerd), but because everything in the job role described by perfect role before I even knew what that was. Ever since then, kept absorbing as much knowledge as I could and love it even more today.

How do you feel that going down the route of an apprenticeship has benefitted you?

Coming from someone who entered panic mode as my A levels were wrapping up and I had no idea what career I wanted, apprenticeships ended up as the best option for me. Initially, I saw it more as a trial, if I liked the industry, great. If not, I had work experience and built up transferable skills that I could use in a different industry. It allowed me to explore the industry soak up every bit of information and work with some amazing mentors. I got the qualification whilst getting that hands-on experience- I was always a more hands-on learner anyway so it was the perfect route for me.

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

Whilst so many people have inspired me in one way or another throughout my career, I think my biggest inspiration comes from my very first Line Manager. Not only did she give me the best start to my career that I could ask for, with all the support and always challenging me to make me a better marketer, but her passion and drive are what inspire me the most. She gives it her all, in everything she does and you can tell by the results and positive changes she has made in every role she has had. I strive to have as big as an impact as she has throughout my career.

How do you balance the demands of the marketing industry with avoiding burnout?

From new platform updates to the latest trend, it can often feel like you have to be on all the time- I feel that way too sometimes. So I try to plan as much as I can, whether that’s having a bank of ideas for content, creating a content planner or simply just planning some downtime. It’s important to remember that it’s okay not to react to every trend and it’s okay to take some time offline.

What advice would you give to young women who are just beginning to think about how to build a personal brand?

Start small, and find creators that you love. Take a look at their content, what makes you stop and read. Build up 10+ creators that match your ‘vibe’ and start by interacting with their content. This helps build up your confidence and gets your name in that network. Then, think about a few content pillars that will form part of your content foundation (eg. Content creation, personal branding and mental health). Then you’re ready to start creating content. Your first post doesn’t have to be perfect, just published! Over time you’ll build your tone and the content will start to flow. Most importantly, have fun with it!

A Deep Dive Into… Flying Taxis!?

Flying High: Volocopter's Journey in Urban Transportation

You might not think of urban transport as an area of significant innovation but Volocopter stands out as a hugely ambitious firm with a very interesting proposal. Volocopter aims to revolutionise the way we travel in cities through electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) technology. However, amidst its high-flying (sorry!) ambitions, the company faces challenges in securing crucial funding to turn its vision into reality.

With its interesting proposal, Volocopter has captured the attention of investors and commuters alike. Backed by industry giants like Mercedes-Benz, Geely, and Microsoft, the company has raised over $760 million in funding. Yet, Volocopter has recently hit a snag in its search for further funding an investment amidst a downturn in Europe's startup scene.

Volocopter recently failed to secure up to €100 million in government convertible loans with Dirk Hoke, Volocopter's CEO, expressing a frustration at the difficulty of accessing risk capital in Europe compared to the more favourable conditions in the US. Despite this, plans are in place to unveil a two-seater VoloCity helicopter taxi during the Paris Olympics!

Why bother with a flying taxi? Well, the UK government wants the first flying taxis to be taking off in UK cities by 2026, with autonomous versions being ubiquitous by 2030! These big ambitions are driven by the potential of these taxis to reduce congestion, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and make cities quieter and cleaner.

Thanks for reading another issue of Girl Economics! See you in the next issue - Erin McGurk