Without a doubt, perseverance is essential for success and Héctor Arrabal knows this only too well. This graduate of EAE’s Master in Digital Marketing and E-Commercenow works at Grupo Planeta, in the company’s Training area and Business Marketing Department. However, as he himself emphasizes, getting to that point has not been easy. There are often obstacles on the path towards professional fulfilment.
Would you like to know more about Héctor and his professional progress? Let’s find out!!
Héctor Arrabal
Graduate of the Master in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce
Hello Héctor, how are you? We would like to get to know you better. What can you tell us about yourself?
Good morning! I am fine. Just starting a busy week. My name is Héctor and I am from Vallirana, a small town near Barcelona. I currently live in Barcelona and work at Grupo Planeta, in the Training area and Business Marketing Department.
What can I tell you about myself? I am a very active, enthusiastic and creative person with a fighting spirit, though I have to say that I am better with numbers than words. I love travelling, spending time with my family and friends, and adventure sports.
With respect to my academic and professional life, I took a Bachelor Degree in Tourism and Hotel Management (a degree I chose because of my real passion for travelling, different cultures, etc.) and it was really good. I learned a great deal. However, after finishing, I had a post-university crisis (I know I am not the only one to go through this). I felt frustrated and stuck in a field in which I felt that there were few prospects to progress unless I specialized in something. At the end of the day, I was a child at 22 years old. The Bachelor Degree gave me the opportunity to combine my studies with work so that I could save for my future.
The year that I finished my degree, I felt frustrated and stuck in a rut, so I decided to turn my life around and take a Master in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce. Why did I take that program? Because I saw that it gave me lots of prospects and I have always been pretty creative and imaginative. I was completely unfamiliar with the field of marketing analytics.
In your opinion, what is the importance of marketing nowadays?
That’s a very good question! Marketing is not only a matter of generating positive results through strategies. Marketing is the connection between the company and the consumer, which means that you must make sure to keep right up-to-date.
You took the Master in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce at EAE Business School. What was the experience like? What did you think of the classes and the program?
Yes, I graduated in 2019. I found it a really positive experience, I did not know much about Digital Marketing and, in fact, I was really surprised by this world and all the topics it involves. I was lucky enough to meet some incredible people from all over the world, many of whom now hold a place in my heart. There are some really great lecturers, such as Selva Orejón, Noelia Leiro and Enric. As far as I am concerned, the program was really good.
Click here to find out more about EAE Business School’s Master in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce
You now work at Grupo Planeta. What are your duties and how do you feel about the job?
Yes, I joined on an internship, thanks to EAE, and I now work in the Planeta Formación y Universidades division, in the business marketing. I am responsible for the development and strategy of a new education project that will be rolled out at the end of this year, It has been a real challenge but we have made a real success of it, working with a fantastic team.
Have the tools and knowledge you acquired on the Master been useful? Why?
Absolutely. EAE paved the way for me to get into marketing with knowledge that I have been able to perfect thanks to my professional experience since starting the Master. It has been very useful for me because, in my case, I came from a completely different area, particularly in the field of project management and business, where marketing is just seen as a matter of “How can we reach the customers?”.
Employability is one of the key pillars of EAE. Did the School help you find this professional opportunity? How?
For sure. They probably remember me because I was one of the most persistent students of my year in this respect. I visited them every week to explain what I wanted, how things were going, to clear up doubts, etc. They helped me to sell myself better. They really helped me a great deal.
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated digitization at a global level. In your opinion and experience, what are modern companies looking for from Digital Marketing specialists?
Nowadays, they are looking for professionals who can act fast and be dynamic. Covid-19 has shown us that the world can change in less than a week, along with companies and their strategies.
EAE’s Master in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce equips students with both skills related to digital platforms and leadership and management skills. In your opinion, which skills are more important? Why?
In my case, the most important skills are self-confidence and teamwork. I am part of a young generation, so I prefer companies without a hierarchy, with new working models. Moreover, I think that having extensive digital knowledge is something that the new generations are contributing a great deal.
You have worked in various sectors of the economy, including sales, tourism and now marketing. What have you learned from this career path? Why is experience important?
Yes, I had to plan out my future from a young age to be able to study. The clearest thing I have learned is that you always have to be yourself. If you are asked to do something or act in a certain way that you are not comfortable with in a job, then you are in the wrong place. However, you have to take the positive from every experience. I have had jobs that I didn’t enjoy when I first started working, but I stuck at it, driven by thinking of my future, and thanks to the experience and knowledge I gained (which, it has to be said, was very tough), I can now work doing something that I like. You always have to find the positive in any situation.
In terms of the world of tourism, unfortunately, here in Spain, it is really badly paid and, in my opinion, it has a pretty negative image. Spain has gone for the easy option, mass tourism that generates lots of money but, as far as I am concerned, it sacrifices the essence of ‘travelling’. I believe in responsible, ethical tourism that, most importantly, makes a contribution at a social level.
What are Héctor Arrabal’s plans for the future?
I am a restless person, so I am keen to keep training and specializing more and more. I would love to get some international experience to develop professionally, in a Latin America country, like Mexico, where I can contribute value in the Marketing department of a company. I am really excited about the idea and, thanks to School, I have lots of great friends over there. Most importantly, I want to keep on learning.
What would you say to anybody thinking of taking EAE’s Master in Digital Marketing and E-Commerce de EAE, but are still not sure?
I would tell them to forget their doubts. It is an area that is developing loads and constantly changing, which means that you never stop learning. Moreover, it adds lots of value to your CV, as well as plenty of knowledge. As far as I am concerned, the most important thing is that you make lots of contacts, because you meet great professionals who can help you a great deal on your projects. Good luck!