Why young marketers need a mentor?
I still remember my first roles as a young marketing graduate, fresh out of uni, full of ideas, energy, and ambition. But also... alone.
I was the solo marketer, reporting directly to General Managers and Managing Directors, expected to “own” the marketing function without guidance, without a roadmap, and often without the context that only experience can bring.
If I could turn back time, I would have made a conscious effort to find a mentor someone who could help me navigate those early challenges, amplify my strengths, and shorten the learning curve that, at times, felt impossibly steep.
And if you're a business leader hiring graduates into marketing roles, this is the part I hope you hear clearly:
It’s not fair.
Not on them, and not on your business.
The real cost of going without a mentor
It’s common to see small to medium businesses bring in junior marketers straight from university and expect them to take ownership of the brand, the strategy, the content, the campaigns, all of it.
And I get it. Budgets are tight, and hiring senior talent full time isn’t always viable.
But what’s the cost of skipping support entirely?
Misdirected campaigns
Off-brand messaging
Missed growth opportunities
Burnout
And often, a young marketer walking out the door within a year
That’s not just a loss of talent, it’s a loss of time, money, and momentum.
Mentorship changes everything
What if instead of setting junior marketers up to survive, you set them up to thrive?
Imagine what could happen if they had:
Regular check-ins with a senior marketing mentor
Guidance on how to present ideas, manage up, and speak the language of the business
Clarity on priorities, frameworks, and expectations
A sounding board when imposter syndrome kicks in (because it will)
Real-time feedback to help them grow faster and with confidence
Mentorship isn’t hand holding.
It’s high impact professional development, and it's one of the smartest investments a business can make.
Grow Talent. Grow Your Business.
I’ve designed the Growth Lane Marketing Mentorship program specifically for in-house marketers who don’t have a senior leader to learn from. It's flexible, tailored, and grounded in real-world experience across multiple industries.
Whether you're a founder, a CEO, or a GM, mentoring your junior marketer through a trusted partner is an investment in:
Better brand outcomes
Stronger internal alignment
Long-term talent retention
And one day?
You might be able to say your Head of Marketing or even your CMO started with you as a graduate.
And stayed.
And grew,as your business did.
Looking to give your marketer the guidance they need to succeed?
Let’s talk. I’d love to help you build both your brand and your people.