Juggling full-time work and professional development can feel like a stretch – but with the right tools and support, it’s entirely achievable.
In this guest blog, Liza, a Level 4 TMLA student and full-time marketing executive, shares how she’s built a sustainable study routine that fits around a busy workweek. From smart scheduling to supportive tutors, she shares what has worked for her and encouragement for anyone considering CIM qualifications alongside a demanding job.
Having supportive tutors and the always-accessible TMLA team made a big difference. I never felt like I was doing it alone.
Balancing full-time work and professional development isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely possible with the right support and structure.
As a marketing executive with three years of experience and a marketing degree from a European university, I wanted a UK-recognised qualification to strengthen my credentials and expand my knowledge. That’s when I found The Marketing and Leadership Academy (TMLA), which turned out to be exactly what I needed.
Working full-time means my schedule is packed, so flexibility was essential. To balance everything, I’ve developed study habits that work well for me.
TMLA’s online classes on Thursday evenings fit perfectly into my routine. The 2.5-hour sessions never felt overwhelming, and because they’re recorded, I could catch up or revisit key points whenever I needed. That flexibility helped me stay consistent even during busy weeks.
Fridays are generally less hectic at work, so I take advantage of that time to try out ideas from the lessons and bring new concepts into my day-to-day tasks. There’s something really motivating about seeing what you learned just the night before already making a difference in your job.
Weekends are when I go deeper. I usually spend 1.5 to 2 hours reviewing the lesson recording, completing homework, and making notes. I use my iPad like a digital notebook, annotating slides supplied by the tutors, writing down questions for the next session, or marking topics I want to explore further. This helps me stay organised and reinforces what I’ve learned.
Managing my workload alongside studying meant planning ahead and staying realistic. I didn’t aim for perfection every week, but I stayed consistent. Having supportive tutors and the always-accessible TMLA team made a big difference. I never felt like I was doing it alone.
Another bonus is the flexible exam scheduling. I often chose Thursdays, since it was already my established study night and my brain was in gear.
So far, I’ve passed three CIM exams and am now waiting for the result of my fourth. I’d recommend TMLA to anyone looking to gain a practical qualification while balancing a busy life. With the right habits and the right support, it’s absolutely doable.
If you’re ready to invest in your future and build confident new habits around a busy schedule like Liza, explore our selection of courses today and start your own journey with TMLA.
I’d recommend TMLA to anyone looking to gain a practical qualification while balancing a busy life. With the right habits and the right support, it’s absolutely doable.
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“As someone in the early stages of their marketing career, I really wanted to broaden my knowledge beyond the scope of my current role. I knew that having a solid, well-rounded understanding of marketing would help me grow and become more confident in my abilities – and that’s exactly what led me to TMLA and the CIM Level 4 course.
The course has given me a much deeper understanding of the wider marketing landscape. It’s really helped me see how all the different pieces fit together, which in turn has made me feel more confident and capable in my day-to-day work. What I love is how practical the course is – you can take what you’ve learnt and apply it straight away. I’ve already made changes to our business newsletter after a really insightful session on adding value for your audience (shoutout to Jessica for that one!). It’s made me think differently about how and why we communicate with our audience, not just what we’re saying.
The support from the tutors was brilliant – they’re always approachable and happy to answer questions, even outside the weekly sessions. And the wider TMLA team was just as great. Communication has been spot on and I’ve always felt well-supported throughout.
Another big plus for me has been how flexible the course is. The sessions are held online in the evenings, which makes it easy to fit around work and other commitments. On top of that, the exams can be taken at any point within the exam window, which has been really helpful – I’ve been able to sit my exams at a time that genuinely works for me.
Overall, I’d absolutely recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their marketing knowledge. The content is engaging, the support is fantastic, and you walk away with skills and insights that you can use straight away. I feel so much more confident in what I am doing and how my career could progress.”
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