When people hear the title marketing coordinator, they often imagine someone scrolling through Instagram all day, posting fun graphics, or coming up with catchy captions. But what does a real day in this role actually look like? How do you balance creativity with strategy, manage multiple clients, and make sure campaigns actually perform? Let me take you behind the scenes and show you what it’s really like.

Hi, I’m Pearly Vong. I help business ideas come to life, turning concepts into strategies, strategies into content, and content into real results, as a Marketing Coordinator at Social Star and CampusLife.

My path began at RMIT, where I studied International Business and discovered a fascination with how ideas connect with people. The spark for marketing truly ignited in a digital marketing class taught by Andrew, whose practical insights and real-world examples made marketing feel alive and possible. That experience inspired me to go deeper, ultimately leading me to pursue a Master of Digital Marketing at the University of Melbourne.

After graduation, I took a chance and reached out to Andrew. By coincidence, Social Star was hiring. That single step taught me an invaluable lesson: opportunities aren’t always handed to you, you sometimes have to create them yourself.

I’ve likely shared this story countless times, yet I continue to do so because it’s deeply meaningful to me. It’s a reminder of how pivotal mentorship can be, and how profoundly Andrew’s guidance has shaped both my career and my approach to taking initiative.

So, what does this look like in person?

Let me walk you through a typical day in my life as a marketing coordinator. From planning and strategy in the morning to content creation in the afternoon, here’s how I stay grounded, organised and creative, even when things get hectic.

My morning

You might think a marketing coordinator spends their day crafting posts and scrolling through social feeds. In reality, my mornings are all about strategy, organisation, and problem-solving.

I usually start by writing a daily stand-up in our team group chat. It's a great way to reflect on what I accomplished yesterday, and list what I plan to tackle today. It helps me start the day with focus and clarity. After that, I dive into my emails, catching up on messages from clients, colleagues, and collaborators. Then comes the part that keeps my day on track: organising everything in Google Calendar (Calendar really is my best friend!). I schedule every task, every meeting, and even small check-ins, so I always have a clear view of what’s coming next.

After all of the administrative tasks, I usually prioritise time-sensitive or strategic tasks in the morning when my focus is sharpest. Since stepping into this role, I have really developed my project management skills. It’s not just about planning your day, it is about looking at the month ahead, or even the next six months, and breaking that down into smaller, achievable goals. Yes, six months ahead may seem far, but having that roadmap helps me tackle each day with confidence!

Of course, no two days are ever the same. Sometimes an urgent campaign will come up or a client will need something unexpected, and that shifts everything. So one of the lessons this role taught me is that asking questions early and staying proactive make a huge difference when things change suddenly.

It’s noon!

By lunchtime, I make sure to step away from my desk. Sometimes I take a short walk outside, feeling the sun on my face, or grab a coffee, even though the office has a perfectly good coffee machine. That little ritual gives me a mental reset. My favourite part? Lunch with my colleagues! We share updates, bounce ideas, and just get to know each other as people. It’s not always about work.

There were days when I wasn’t feeling well and had to work from home, and on those days I really noticed how isolating it can feel, so these moments of connection are really valuable to me. Even small chats or casual conversations help me feel grounded. They also spark better collaboration when we get back to work. For me, community and team culture are what keep the pace of this role sustainable.

Afternoon

My afternoons are usually when I dive into the creative side of marketing, but it’s not just about making posts look pretty. I draft content, schedule social media posts, and review campaigns, all while keeping an eye on performance metrics like website traffic, social engagement, and client results. I’ve learned that marketing is about balancing strategy with execution. You don’t just create content, you need to understand the client and make sure every piece is strategically designed to support their bigger goals.

On top of that, my work at CampusLife adds another layer to my afternoons. Since it’s a startup, part of my role is setting up processes from scratch, like onboarding interns, matching them with buddies, and organising workflows. Part of the thrill is helping shape systems that make the team run more smoothly, which teaches me skills I wouldn’t get anywhere else.

By the end of the day, I often get to see tangible results: a polished social post, a campaign gaining traction, or a new process improving team efficiency. It’s creative, productive, and deeply satisfying, and it’s exactly the kind of hands-on experience that makes this role so exciting for anyone curious about marketing.

There’re challenges!

Yes! There are definitely challenges in this role. During peak periods, deadlines could be tight, priorities could be constantly shifting, and it can feel like everything is urgent at once. Sometimes I think, everything is urgent, where do I even start? It can be overwhelming.

Of course, the job comes with its challenges, but that’s also what makes the wins so satisfying. I remember working on a webinar for an accountant client with a really tight deadline. There were so many moving parts: designing the ads, setting up funnels, writing the email copies, preparing the EDMs, and building the landing page. It felt a bit overwhelming at times, but when everything finally came together and the webinar went live, it was such a rush. It reminded me that persistence, planning, and teamwork really do pay off.

Marketing is not always glamorous, but I have found that growth often comes in the middle of the toughest challenges. As I like to remind myself: you never grow if you never fail. Every campaign that pushes me outside my comfort zone, every tight deadline that feels impossible, is an opportunity to learn, improve, and do better next time. Those moments are what make the wins feel so meaningful, and why I keep loving what I do.

Conclusion

Looking back, this role has taught me so much about being proactive, staying curious, and learning quickly. That’s actually part of why I decided to write this blog - to share my experiences and offer a glimpse into what life is really like as a marketing coordinator. If you are thinking about becoming one, my advice is simple: be proactive, ask questions, seek feedback, and do not be afraid to try new things. Balancing strategy and execution, staying organised, and communicating clearly will make your job more fulfilling and exciting.

The truth is, you do not need to have everything figured out to start. What matters is your willingness to grow and the community you surround yourself with. For me, CampusLife and Social Star gave me the space to learn, make mistakes, and build confidence.

And if you’re curious about this path, or just want to swap stories, connect with me on my Linkedin or email me at pearly@socialstar.com.au. I’d love to share insights, ideas, and encouragement as we navigate this journey together.

A Day in My Life as a Marketing Coordinator