Ji Luo
Account Executive, Hearts & Science
Master of Marketing with Distinction
Working on a real-world applied marketing project was the biggest highlight of her studies, says Ji Luo who came to AUT as an international student from China to study a Master of Marketing.
“I chose AUT because of its strong emphasis on applied learning and industry connections. I was looking for a programme that bridges theory with real business challenges, and AUT’s practical, research-driven approach stood out. I loved that the programme included an applied industry project, research design, data analysis and client-facing presentations. We weren’t just writing essays, we were producing work that businesses could actually use. Through these experiences, I strengthened my analytical skills, sharpened my strategic thinking, and built my confidence when presenting to stakeholders. It bridged theory and industry in a very tangible way.
“Another highlight for me was the intellectual challenge. The programme forced me to slow down, question assumptions and build arguments properly. That changed how I approach decisions, both academically and professionally.”
There were a few AUT staff members whose support she is particularly grateful for.
“My lecturers – Dr Helene Wilkinson, Professor Ben Wooliscroft, Russell Ness, Dr Amy Errmann and Dr Jo Wright – were thoughtful, rigorous and genuinely supportive. They challenged me to think more deeply while giving me the confidence to trust my own judgement. I’d also like to thank my counsellor, Cristiane Heale. The mental health support at AUT made a meaningful difference to my experience. Alongside academic growth, I experienced significant personal growth, and that balance has been invaluable.”
Bringing marketing campaigns to life
After recently completing her studies, Ji now works as an account executive for media agency Hearts & Science in Auckland.
“I’m currently working as a client-facing account executive for Hearts & Science. My role involves client management, campaign coordination, and stakeholder management across both internal teams and external media partners. I support the end-to-end delivery of campaigns, from interpreting briefs and planning with media suppliers to ensuring the execution of a campaign aligns with the strategy and client expectations.”
She loves the balance between strategy and delivery her role offers.
“I enjoy that every campaign requires coordination, critical thinking and clear communication. I also value the responsibility. Being trusted to manage client relationships and contribute to decision-making definitely has accelerated my career growth in New Zealand.”
Advice for other students
Ji – who completed her master’s degree with distinction – has some great advice for other students who are dreaming of a career in marketing.
“Marketing combines analytical thinking with human insight. It’s about understanding behaviour, positioning value and making strategic decisions that create measurable impact. My advice is to focus on building judgement, communication skills and reliability. The marketing industry moves quickly, and those who can think clearly under pressure stand out. And finally, be proactive. Opportunities often come to those who show readiness, not just readiness on paper.”
She also has some specific advice for anyone considering the Master of Marketing.
“Take the applied projects seriously. Treat them as real business problems, not just assignments. The depth of thinking you build during your degree will directly impact how confident and capable you feel in the industry. Make sure you don’t rush the learning process. Understanding the fundamentals deeply is more valuable than trying to appear impressive.”
