Fast-Tracked, Flat-Footed: The AI in Marketing Career Curve - “The Trap”
By Justin Naidoo | Marketing Career Coach | Strategic Marketing Consultant
Fast-Track Trap: Why AI Might Be Skipping Your Marketing Foundation
There’s no question AI is changing the game in marketing.
Campaigns that used to take weeks now take days. Data is instantly analyzed. Copy is written at the push of a prompt. Tools like ChatGPT, Co-Pilot, and HubSpot AI are becoming everyday teammates for marketers across the globe—especially those just starting out.
On the surface, this looks like progress. And in many ways, it is.
But as someone who built their career from the ground up—starting in junior roles before eventually leading global marketing teams—I’m seeing a pattern that deserves a pause. One that could quietly reshape the future of our profession in ways we’re not ready for.
We’re raising a generation of marketers who are great at using AI, but aren’t learning how to be marketers.
Reps Build Muscle
When I first entered the industry 20 years ago, junior marketers were in the trenches. We wrote email subject lines, tested copy, run A/B tests manually, sat in the room as designers defended bold concepts, and learned to present to clients and stakeholders under pressure. There was no automation to hide behind.
That process—sometimes slow, often messy—is what sharpened my instincts.
It’s what taught me how audiences respond, how to write persuasively, and how to communicate ideas with confidence.
Today’s entry-level marketers are skipping many of those reps. AI can write the first draft, pick the subject line, score the lead, and even generate a persona. What’s left is reviewing outputs—not building marketing muscle.
And while that might feel efficient now, it poses a bigger risk down the line.
Why This Matters at the Manager Level
Here’s the real concern: Fast-tracked careers built on tool fluency may hit a wall when it’s time to lead.
A “Marketing Manager” who hasn’t learned how to build a brief, defend an idea, coach junior talent, or rewrite a campaign that’s underperforming is at a disadvantage. They may know how to use AI, but not how to guide a team. Not how to think like a strategist. Not how to tell a story that lands emotionally and commercially.
That’s not their fault. It’s the system we’re all navigating—one where speed, automation, and optimization are prioritized over depth, creativity, and human nuance.
But the consequences are real. We risk creating a future where the average marketing leader is technically fluent but strategically shallow.
What Can Be Done?
This doesn’t mean we throw AI out. I’m not anti-AI. But I am pro-building foundational skills through reps.
The path forward isn’t to choose between AI and experience—it’s to balance them.
For junior marketers, that might look like:
Volunteering to write the first draft before using a prompt
Asking to sit in on strategic meetings—even just to observe
Practicing real-life creative problem solving, even when AI offers an easy answer
For managers and team leads, it might mean:
Creating space for slower work sometimes, especially for juniors
Pairing AI tasks with deeper learning moments: “Why are we choosing this CTA?” “How would you pitch this idea?”
Coaching team members not just to use tools, but to think critically about what good marketing looks like
The Coaching Perspective
As a mid-senior level career coach, I work with many marketers who feel overwhelmed. They were promoted quickly, relied heavily on tools, and now find themselves missing the deeper strategic chops needed to lead.
Some are trying to backfill those gaps now but without feeling like they’re starting from scratch. Others are realizing they’ve never been taught how to advocate for their ideas or manage a campaign holistically without automation.
That’s what motivated me to start this series.
Because I believe the future belongs to marketers who are both AI-enabled and strategically grounded. Who can move fast with tools—but also take a breath and rely on natural instincts when it matters. Who can prompt ChatGPT—but also craft a pitch that influences a room.
Final Thought
AI is here. It’s powerful. It’s exciting. But let’s not confuse acceleration with growth.
If you’re early in your career, look for opportunities to build your foundation—even if it takes a little longer. If you’re managing others, take the time to coach and mentor beyond the screen. And if you’re feeling the effects of that skipped experience, know it’s never too late to rebuild your marketing core.
Because in the long run, depth is what defines leadership. And the strongest marketers of tomorrow will be the ones who didn’t skip the hard parts.
Ready to strengthen your foundation?
If you’re a mid-level or senior marketer looking to sharpen your instincts, elevate your strategy, or grow into a more confident leader—I’d love to help. Learn more about my coaching here.