From Sales to Strategy: Why I Went Back to University at 30
Pegah Oladazimi
MSc in Digital Marketing
Hi, my name is Pegah and I'm from Iran. I'm currently studying an MSc in Digital Marketing at Huddersfield. In this blog, I share my experience of returning to university at 30 after a career in sales.
After completing my bachelor’s degree in Architecture, I never imagined I’d end up working in sales. Like many graduates during the pandemic, I was stuck at home, feeling lost and unsure about what was next.
One day, a friend told me about a new startup looking for a sales assistant. Despite having no experience and a lot of nerves, I applied. To my surprise, the founder saw potential in my energy and attitude, and I got the job. At first, everything felt unfamiliar. I didn’t know the tools, the jargon, or even how to write a proper sales email. But I learned fast, really fast.
Within five months, I was promoted to top sales rep. Over the next six years, I became a senior sales executive, led negotiations, and managed the company’s online platforms. I loved the customer interaction, but gradually, I found myself more curious about what the digital marketing team was doing. I wanted to not only sell a product, but to build the strategy behind it.
That’s when I realised: it was time for a change.
Why I Chose Huddersfield
After years of learning by doing, I felt it was time to return to university. Not just to get a degree, but to understand the why behind everything I’d experienced in the real world. I chose Digital Marketing because it connects my creativity (thanks to my architecture background) with the strategy I learned in sales.
Studying in the UK was always a dream of mine. I admired the teaching style and emphasis on independent thinking. I chose Huddersfield because I’d heard it was a smaller, welcoming town, and as someone from a small town myself, that made me feel more at home. The hills, the greenery, even the mix of old and modern buildings on campus, it gave me a nostalgic feeling, like I wasn’t too far from where I started.
Learning in a New Country
Coming to the UK alone was scary. I was worried I wouldn’t understand the accent, or that I’d feel isolated. But the University of Huddersfield proved to be the exact opposite. From day one, the support was amazing, the staff were friendly, the resources were clear, and I never felt like I was alone.
My favourite module so far has been Contemporary Consumer Engagement. We analysed real-world campaigns, explored what makes them work (or fail), and even got to develop our own full campaign from scratch. It was challenging, creative, and genuinely exciting.
We also had guest speakers from the industry, which helped connect theory with practice. Compared to my earlier studies, the UK academic system was refreshing. Instead of short-term memorisation for exams, we’re constantly reading, writing, thinking. The assignments take time, but they also stick with you. I already notice how they’re influencing the way I think at work.
Changing Direction
Switching careers and returning to university in my 30s wasn’t easy. But it was absolutely worth it. Now, I’m doing an internship alongside my studies and gaining hands-on experience in the digital marketing field, even before I graduate. I feel more confident, more creative, and more prepared for the future than ever before.
To anyone thinking about changing direction: don’t be afraid to start over. A different background isn’t a weakness; it’s a strength. Especially when you’re in a place that helps you grow, not just academically, but personally too.
Huddersfield gave me the space to evolve from a salesperson to a strategist.
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