Join us for a down-to-earth chat with Mercy Abel, a marketer who’s passionate about values-driven work. She’ll share her journey of staying true to her values while navigating the marketing world. From her work with Unlocked to her experiences with mentorship, Mercy opens up about making choices that feel right both personally and professionally.
Whether you’re new to marketing or looking to reconnect with what matters most to you, this session will help you think about how to bring your authentic self to your work.
About Mercy Abel
Mercy Abel is a multi-award winning marketer currently steering all things marketing, new biz content and ventures at John Doe, including Co-founder and Director the award-winning UNLOCKED Internship Programme.
Follow her on LinkedIn: here
In today’s fast-paced marketing world, your personal values serve as your guiding compass.
Mercy explains how values help with decision-making. Her core value of connection drives her work with internships and partnerships. When work aligns with your values, you’ll be more committed, creative, and build better relationships.
“Know your ‘why’ and whether it serves you or others,” says Mercy. This awareness keeps you grounded and attracts the right opportunities.
Discovering Your Values: Gut Checks and Patterns
Finding your values takes time. Look for patterns in what brings you joy. Notice which activities energise you and make you lose track of time.
Fab reminds us that values evolve: “Try things out and see what you love… it might shift over time.” Experimenting helps you find environments that match your strengths.
Try these exercises to find your core values:
- List what matters most to you and rank your top 5-10
- Journal about fulfilling work experiences and spot common themes
- Ask colleagues about your strengths and motivations
- Check what topics engage you on social media
- Pay attention to your emotional responses—they signal value alignment
Should You Be a Generalist or a Specialist?
Young marketers often rush to specialise. Both speakers recommend being a multi-hyphenate early in your career. Try different roles to become more adaptable and discover hidden talents.
“Try everything at least once,” says Mercy. “Better to confirm you don’t like something than never knowing.” Start broad, then narrow down as your preferences become clear.
Turning Values into Action and Choosing the Right Opportunities
Let your values guide your decisions and job choices. Mercy’s commitment to collaboration helped her expand an internship programme across Scotland.
When considering opportunities, Fab and Mercy stress alignment: ask if the company is right for you. Trust your instincts and research if the culture matches your values.
Ask yourself:
- Can I express my values in this role?
- How does the organisation demonstrate their values?
- What do team members say about the culture?
- Is there room to grow in line with my values?
- Which behaviours are actually rewarded?
Embracing Change: Evolving with Your Values
Your purpose may change with experience, and that’s fine. Instead of “ditching” values, think of it as evolution. Skills from each chapter of your career will help in the next.