Testimonials
From Learning to Doing: Ernest’s Digital Marketing Journey with CLaaS2SaaS
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Discovering a Passion Beyond Code
Sometimes, the right career path becomes clearer as interests change.
Ernest Matthew once spent hours watching coding tutorials on YouTube and taking programming lessons. Over time, however, he realized that his interests extended beyond coding. He became more drawn to the business side of technology, particularly digital tools, content creation, and social media.
As his interests shifted, pursuing a Digital Business path felt like a natural fit.
Growing up in Jakarta, Ernest moved between national, international, and national-plus schools before transitioning to homeschooling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“If the COVID didn’t happen, I think I wouldn’t go homeschooling and I would never come across this program.” Ernest reflects.
Today, at 17 years old, he is pursuing his Digital Business qualification building a solid foundation toward a future Bachelor’s degree with the University of Roehampton.
Why Speed and Industry Experience Mattered
Ernest wanted more than a traditional higher education pathway could offer.
He briefly considered traditional three- to four-year degree programs, including studying business in Australia. However, he wanted to gain practical experience alongside his studies rather than wait until after graduation to enter the workplace.
His parents discovered the program on Instagram and encouraged him to explore it.
“They say this program is great, and you can earn money from working during the program,” he shares.
The main factors that convinced Ernest to choose CLaaS2SaaS Lithan were clear:
- Accelerated Timeline: Completing the program in two years rather than spending three to four years in a standard degree program.
- Work Experience: Gaining hands-on apprenticeship experience while studying.
- Practical Skills: Building skills that he can apply toward his longer-term goal of running his own business.
From Digital Marketing Foundations to Real-World Application
At CLaaS2SaaS Lithan, Ernest completed a 12-month digital marketing bootcamp before transitioning directly into his ongoing five-month apprenticeship as a Marketing Associate.
During the bootcamp, he built his marketing foundations by learning how to define Unique Value Propositions (UVPs), develop buyer personas, analyze competitors, and apply these concepts through practical projects.
“The model I actually enjoyed the most was the digital marketing fundamentals,” Ernest explains. “Because it teaches like fundamentals and basics of marketing, which is important before everything else.”
Then came the opportunity to put those fundamentals into practice.
During his apprenticeship, Ernest works across multiple digital marketing touchpoints:
- Content & Video: Creating social media posts, event recap reels, and videos using CapCut.
- Email & Web Marketing: Creating email campaigns and updating landing pages in Mailchimp.
- SEO: Writing SEO blog articles and tracking performance using Semrush, Ahrefs, and Google Analytics.
Learning Through Challenges
The transition from learning to working also came with its own challenges.
Some challenges, from navigating SEO text-to-HTML ratios to learning video editing tools like CapCut, required patience and effort.
Whenever he hit a roadblock, Ernest relied on guidance from his mentors, lecturers, and colleagues to overcome technical hurdles.
“I just asked a lot of questions,” Ernest shares. “My advice is don’t be afraid to ask questions. Because if you’re afraid to ask questions, you won’t understand things that you need to understand.”
With that support, tasks that initially seemed challenging became more manageable. More importantly, each challenge gave Ernest an opportunity to become more confident in his ability to solve problems and contribute to real projects.
Laying the Groundwork for Future Business Leadership
Completing the 12-month bootcamp and stepping directly into an international apprenticeship are Ernest’s proudest milestones so far. He is actively building a portfolio of practical work across content marketing, email, and SEO.
His family has been supportive and pleased to see him gaining professional experience and earning a stipend early in his career.
“My family says things like, you get a lot of money from the apprenticeship,” Ernest notes. “I’m happy with that, actually.”
With an expected graduation in 2028, Ernest plans to continue sharpening his business acumen, content editing, and growth marketing skills. His longer-term goal is to pursue a Bachelor’s degree at the University of Roehampton, grow into a broader marketing role, and eventually apply what he has learned to building his own business.
“I seek to get my bachelor’s degree in the Roehampton and then grow into more marketing role and then eventually try to apply everything I’ve learned to making my own business someday,” he says.
The Value of Taking Action Early
Ernest’s journey is not simply about choosing a different education pathway.
It is about moving from learning to doing — gaining knowledge, applying it to real projects, asking questions, overcoming challenges, and gradually building confidence and responsibility along the way.
At just 17, Ernest is already gaining experience in a professional marketing environment while working towards his qualifications and longer-term career goals.
For him, one lesson stands out:
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Because if you’re afraid to ask questions, you won’t understand things that you need to understand.”
Ready to Turn Learning Into Real-World Experience?
Let Ernest’s journey inspire your own. CLaaS2SaaS Lithan helps learners develop practical digital skills through work-integrated learning while working towards their qualifications.
Book a Free Consultation to explore how you can build the skills and experience needed for your future career.
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