Meet Libby Shorthouse — a vibrant, people-focused individual with a passion for connecting with others and a natural entrepreneurial spirit. Before embarking on her marketing career, Libby ran her own businesses in makeup and baking. That same drive and creativity eventually led her to join AO — the leading online retailer — where she discovered an opportunity to grow professionally through Professional Academy's apprenticeship programme.
From Entrepreneurship to Marketing
Libby's diverse background in small business ownership gave her a unique perspective on customer engagement and creativity that proved genuinely valuable as she transitioned into a corporate marketing role. However, she came into the apprenticeship with no formal marketing experience — and with no fixed expectations of what the programme would be like.
"I had no expectations of the course but am really enjoying it. I have learnt a lot and built my confidence," she shared. That openness to learning, combined with the drive she developed through running her own businesses, made Libby ideally placed to thrive in a structured apprenticeship environment — turning her people skills into professional marketing capability.
Navigating the Apprenticeship: Challenges and Growth
Libby's apprenticeship journey has been genuinely transformative — though not without its challenges. She has gained valuable skills across multi-channel marketing, content creation, and strategic planning, building a well-rounded foundation for a marketing career.
Transitioning from the Content team to the Sponsorship department brought new responsibilities, departmental shifts, and personal life challenges that tested her resilience at times. "It has not been easy, as there has been a lot going on in my personal life and I have struggled with changes," she acknowledged honestly. But through it all, the programme's flexibility proved a genuine lifeline. "The flexibility of the course means I have been able to continue — and do well," Libby noted, highlighting how the structure of the apprenticeship adapted to support her through a demanding period.
How Professional Academy Supported Libby
Throughout her apprenticeship, Libby has benefited immensely from the support of Professional Academy. The dedicated tutors provided personalised guidance, helping her master complex marketing concepts and build practical skills — even during her toughest moments.
"The tutors and mentors were there every step of the way, especially when I needed it most," Libby reflects. That consistency of support — from encouragement during difficult periods to tailored advice when personal challenges threatened to derail her progress — is what kept her motivated and on track to complete her qualification successfully.
Milestones and Successes
Libby's hard work paid off with a well-deserved promotion — landing her in her dream job within the Sponsorship team at AO. This achievement underscores the practical impact of her apprenticeship, turning challenges into opportunities for growth and demonstrating that the combination of structured learning and real workplace experience can deliver remarkable results.
Her ability to thrive amidst significant change is a testament not just to her determination, but to the value of having the right support structure around you when things get difficult.
Libby's Top Tips for Apprentices
Drawing from her experience, Libby offers straightforward and practical advice to anyone starting or considering a marketing apprenticeship:
- Plan your time: Time management makes everything more manageable. Finding a routine that works for you — balancing your job, your studies, and your personal life — is one of the most important things you can do from day one.
- Put your learning into practice: Do not just read through the models and frameworks — actively apply them in your work. SWOT analysis, for example, became a go-to tool for Libby in planning and strategic thinking once she started using it regularly in her role.
- Use the resources available to you: Tutors, mentors, and additional learning resources are there to support you. Libby also recommends Grad Girl Marketing as a supplementary resource for her Off the Job hours — a reminder that learning does not have to stop at the course material.
Looking Ahead: Libby's Career Goals
Libby's ambitions are high. She is preparing to lead an activation project independently for her End Point Assessment — a significant milestone that will demonstrate everything she has learned across her programme. Looking further ahead, she aims to pursue the CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing after completing her Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship.
Her ultimate goal is to undertake the Level 6 Marketing Manager Apprenticeship and climb the ladder to a management role at AO. "I am excited to see where this journey takes me," she says — and with the foundation she has built, that excitement is entirely justified.
How Professional Academy Supports Your Journey
Inspired by Libby's story? Discover how Professional Academy's marketing apprenticeships can shape your career. Whether you are new to marketing or bringing a background from a completely different field, our programmes are designed to develop your skills, build your confidence, and open doors to roles and opportunities you may not have imagined possible.
Get in touch with our team today to find out which apprenticeship programme is right for you.
