Can you land a digital marketing job without a college degree? This career lab founder says yes — but only if you do this

Yvonne Wu, co-founder of the Digital Marketing Career Lab (powered by Full Funnel Growth and MESA Charter School in New York City) explains it all…

A 2024 Dell study found that 56% of Gen Z (ages 18-26) received little to no digital skills training in their higher education — and it’s causing a major shift with the younger Gen Zers in middle and high school: Nearly half of them now question whether college is worth it at all because schools are not keeping pace with today’s tech-driven job market. In fact, 36% plan to acquire new digital skills to ensure continuous employment. 

But here’s the part many of them don’t know: Digital marketing is one of the most in-demand, high-paying fields out there—and you don’t need a degree to break in.

That’s where Yvonne Wu comes in. As the co-founder of the Digital Marketing Career Lab — a free marketing career accelerator program in Brooklyn — she’s been helping high school graduates land full-time digital marketing jobs without a college degree. It all comes down to the right skills, experience, and mentorship, according to Wu. And she’s ready to share exactly what to do.

Highlights include:

• Gain real-world marketing experience, not just book smarts. Employers want proof that you can do the work. That’s why DMCL starts with mock brand campaigns and progresses to live client projects—so students build confidence, credibility, and case studies. Tip: Offer to do a pro bono project for a local business or nonprofit to gain your first experience.
• Create a portfolio-ready project with measurable results. Stand out with a portfolio that includes a clear campaign brief, creative samples, and a short case summary. It’s proof you can deliver results, even without job experience.
• Find a mentor who is actually working in the digital marketing industry. The best mentor is someone who is already working in the field, as they know the exact skills needed to succeed for the time, and quite possibly people who are hiring. Pro tip: Search LinkedIn for marketers who attended your high school or live in your city—shared roots go a long way in opening doors.
• Certifications that matter. Complete certifications such as HubSpot or Klaviyo to boost your resume, which are both accessible and learnable online. In fact, a lot of the most valuable digital marketing skills today can be self-taught online.
• Career readiness workshops. Beyond skills-based programs, there are also career readiness workshops that help with resume building, LinkedIn setup, interview prep, and other skills to help you succeed in any professional setting. There are many online options—and your guidance counselor should have information about these workshops.

Digital Marketing Career Lab: Overview

MESA Charter High School and Full Funnel Growth have partnered to launch the Digital Marketing Career Lab, as a career accelerator program that prepares college students and high school graduates for careers in marketing.

Through hands-on training, real client work, and career readiness support, students graduate the program with portfolio-ready marketing projects – and the confidence and skills to secure paid internships, part-time roles, or full-time opportunities with small to mid-sized businesses.

About Yvonne Wu

Yvonne Wu is the COO and Co-Founder of Full Funnel Growth, a growth marketing agency that partners with multinational brands to develop targeted marketing strategies that deliver measurable revenue growth. Specializing in B2B demand generation and education-focused initiatives, Yvonne drives operational efficiency, marketing performance, and scalable growth strategies.

As the force behind Full Funnel Growth’s processes and efficiencies, Yvonne has helped scale the agency profitably to a multi-million dollar business while delivering measurable results for clients. Her client leadership in demand and lead generation has driven a 94.3% YoY increase in lead volume, a 50.1% rise in MQLs, and improved cost efficiencies—reducing CPL by 34.6% and CPMQL by 15.4%, achieving a 25.26x ROI.

Beyond marketing, Yvonne is dedicated to education and workforce development, helping create opportunities for underserved communities to gain real-world marketing experience. Through strategic partnerships, she connects business growth with career development, empowering the next generation of digital marketers.