Advertising Career Options

66-year-old Meenakshi Menon is an inspiring entrepreneur who has spent decades working in the fields of advertising and marketing. She is the founder of GenS Life, an initiative that encourages senior citizens to lead independent, active, and fulfilling lives.

How did her school and college education become the foundation of an enriching and successful life? Let’s hear it from her.

Which subjects did you choose in school and college with your career in mind?

My father planted the seed of interest in advertising and marketing within me. However, he never pressured me to choose a particular career or subject. He did only two things.

First, he nurtured my curiosity about advertising. We would analyze advertisements together—looking at the visuals, the product being promoted, and the copy. He taught me to question how these elements were connected and why they worked.

Second, he instilled confidence in me, making me believe that I could achieve whatever I set my mind to.

I believe the greatest responsibility of parents is to instill the right values in their children. These values are not connected to the external world but to our inner world—qualities such as self-confidence and the belief that we are capable.

For me, the world had two dimensions: the geographical world and the world we create ourselves through society, relationships, and communities. That is why I chose Geography and Sociology as my subjects in college.

You have worked in advertising, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Was your formal education helpful in these fields?

Skills are absolutely essential, but it is up to you to decide which skills you need.

While studying, my first job was as a saleswoman. Geography and Sociology seemed far removed from sales, yet the experience proved invaluable. Alongside my job, I pursued an evening course in Marketing and Advertising because I knew that was the field I wanted to enter.

At the time, our family’s financial situation was difficult. My father had passed away, and my mother was working. We relied on each other for support. Economic independence was a necessity. I earned money through office work, while others might find financial independence in different ways.

Education is something that stays with us throughout life. A degree remains with us, but more importantly, so does the knowledge gained while earning it. That knowledge is what truly matters.

From a young age, I knew I wanted to work and achieve financial independence. I also knew that if I wanted to succeed in advertising, I would need the right skills.

Working in sales, standing behind a counter, and even selling cars gave me remarkable learning experiences. These roles taught me customer behavior, communication, sales techniques, and even temper management. All of these are valuable life skills.

Did you ever feel that there were skills you didn’t learn through the education system and had to acquire later?

There are many skills I did not learn during formal education.

Our education system is like a foundation. The biggest mistake people make is assuming it is the entire building.

In reality, education is only the foundation. If the foundation is strong, you can build a ten-story—or even a hundred-story—building. But if the foundation is weak, even a small house will struggle to stand.

Today, the problem is that we often do not bring enough discipline and effort to our studies. We may think we are moving forward, but often we are simply progressing without truly growing.

Formal education is essential because it creates the foundation. However, it should not be the end of learning. Informal education, skill development, and additional courses are equally important.

Have you ever questioned your career choices or wondered if you should have chosen a different path?

I have continuously worked on improving myself.

The place where I began my career and where I am today are completely different. Every ten years, I have consciously focused on learning new skills and reinventing myself.

If you want to keep growing, you must actively seek challenges. It is not enough to solve problems that already exist—you should learn to identify new problems and find ways to solve them.

That requires stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing challenges.

Do you think entrepreneurship can be taught, or does it come only through experience?

Entrepreneurship cannot simply be taught, but it can certainly be learned.

You learn by observing skills in action and by experiencing different situations. We can teach someone how to read and write, but whether they become a William Shakespeare or a Rabindranath Tagore depends on how well they develop those abilities.

Similarly, I can teach you the fundamentals of running a business, but becoming a successful entrepreneur is something you learn through experience.

What should young students who want to become entrepreneurs focus on during their studies?

Along with academics, two other qualities are essential.

The first is curiosity. You should be curious about the world around you and eager to understand causes and consequences. Ask questions and try to understand how and why things work.

The second is the willingness to fail.

Today, many children are constantly praised from an early age and are repeatedly told how smart and talented they are. Over time, this can reduce their hunger to learn and weaken their ability to face challenges.

In reality, resilience and a strong desire to learn are critical for success in life. The ability to struggle, fail, and learn from those experiences is what ultimately helps people move forward.

Quick Intro

Birthplace: Mumbai

Education:

  • Elphinstone College
  • KC College
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Marketing Management

Profession: Founder, GenS Life

Career Tips

  • Choose subjects that you genuinely enjoy and that help you become a better person.
  • To build a career in advertising, strong skills and creative thinking are essential.
  • Continuously learning new technologies and platforms will help you stay relevant and grow in your career.