Bhairavi KS tackles industry readiness, critical skills for excellence
By Zion Rufus
In an exclusive interview with Marketing Edge, Bhairavi KS, an Indian-based Ambassador for UpGrad and former team lead at Turing, delved into the topic of industry readiness in today’s competitive world.
With her extensive experience in marketing communication spanning close to a decade, she highlighted the significance of continuous learning and upskilling to thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape.
Bhairavi’s insights also shed light on emerging trends and future skills that professionals should focus on to stay ahead in their respective industries.
These include functioning efficiently in ambiguous environments, cognitive and creative skills, emotional intelligence, ethics, and a fundamental awareness of personal and business strengths to leverage them effectively.
During the interview, the marketing professional discussed her motivation behind hosting a podcast focused on industry readiness. She highlighted the changing marketing landscape driven by AI and technology, and the challenges professionals face in keeping up with these changes.
Speaking further, she emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between organizations seeking the right candidates and experienced professionals seeking suitable roles. UpGrad and Bhairavi aimed to address this gap through their podcast and provide valuable insights to individuals navigating the industry.
However, for us, one of the key takeaways from Bhairavi’s conversation was her discussion with Professor Siddharth Deshmukh on industry readiness.
Together, the duo explored the non-linear nature of growth, difference between online and traditional learning, importance of marketing oneself as a marketing professional, and the critical thinking skills required to test theories.
Narrating her personal journey and how she successfully transitioned back into the industry after a maternity break had influenced her perspective on industry readiness, Bhairavi highlighted the essential skills and competencies professionals need to cultivate in today’s job market, and the role played by UpGrad’s structured online program in equipping her with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the changing landscape.
With a strong foundation and an explorer’s attitude towards work, she buttressed the need to empower talented professionals who often go unrecognized due to various reasons, further highlighting the essential skills and competencies professionals need to cultivate in today’s job market.
The interview also touched upon the common challenges faced by professionals when upskilling themselves for industry readiness. These challenges include the lack of focused and structured learning programs, financial constraints, the recognition of online degrees, validation of self-learning, and the need for hands-on experience with technologies.
When asked about highly valued skills in today’s competitive job market, Bhairavi mentioned content creation, storytelling, digital marketing, analytical and critical thinking skills, branding, communication, and proficiency in marketing AI, automation, and CRM. These skills align with the evolving demands of the industry and reflect the changing dynamics of marketing in the digital age.
Continuing the conversation, she stressed the role of continuous learning and upskilling in staying industry-ready and emphasized the benefits of staying relevant, boosting one’s pay package, making one’s profile more attractive to employers, confidently navigating uncertainties, and discovering new career avenues.
Bhairavi also discussed the impact of technology and digital advancements on industry readiness requirements as she emphasized the need for marketers to be strategic and creative, given the ever-changing dynamics of channels, platforms, and audiences.
According to the marketing professional, strong fundamentals and staying updated with the latest trends are crucial for success in this rapidly evolving landscape.
In her closing remarks, Bhairavi urged students and professionals looking to enhance their industry readiness to embrace upskilling, even if it may initially seem challenging.
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