From Google Apprentice to Agency Founder: How Zack Isaacs Built a Tech Career Without a University Degree
Zack Isaacs has always been captivated by technology and entrepreneurship. Despite his early interest in tech, he struggled with programming during his high school days in the UK, where students must choose their focus areas. Instead, he found his niche in graphic design, learning Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator through self-study. At 17, he started designing logos for businesses and individuals, gradually expanding into social media marketing and building a solid client base. To pursue his dreams, Isaacs opted to skip university and instead joined the ORT Jump mentorship program at a school assembly. This program pairs students with professionals for a year of guidance. He was matched with Andrew Scrase, the digital marketing director at Meta. Through their partnership, Isaacs gained valuable insights into media budget management and creative advertising, which laid the foundation for his future career. After completing the mentorship program, Isaacs applied for Google’s Digital Marketing Apprenticeship and made it to the interview stage. To stand out, he designed a resume that included a QR code linking to his online portfolio. In December 2018, he aced a surprise phone interview and joined Google's apprenticeship program at the age of 18, becoming one of the youngest employees at Google UK. During the 15-month apprenticeship, Isaacs focused on B2B advertising and the promotion of AI products, organizing events and campaigns. He later moved to the YouTube social team, where he played a crucial role in launching YouTube Shorts and collaborated with several British content creators. After the apprenticeship, he applied for a Marketing Assistant Manager position. Despite lacking a university degree, he passed through the rigorous five-stage interview process and officially joined Google in 2019 at the age of 19. Over nearly four years at Google, Isaacs primarily managed Influencer and Talent Partnerships, working on products like Pixel, Chrome, and Google Lens. He secured and collaborated with various creators to enhance these products' reach and impact. However, as time went on, he felt that his career prospects were becoming unclear, exacerbated by the company's budget cuts and layoffs. In March 2024, Isaacs decided to leave Google and embark on his own entrepreneurial journey. The following month, he founded OnSocial, a performance-driven digital marketing and creative agency. Using his savings, he launched the business, which has since grown to a team of four. OnSocial specializes in high-quality creative production and advanced paid media strategies, providing clients with measurable growth through social media. The team comprises former Google and Meta professionals, ensuring a high standard of technical and service support. Reflecting on his transition from Google to entrepreneurship, Isaacs notes the most significant change was moving from a bustling office environment to the role of a solo founder. He primarily works from his home in London and a co-working space but plans to relocate to the UAE to tap into a growing client base there. Isaacs has no regrets about his decisions. He believes that the mentorship program, apprenticeship, and self-learning provided him with more practical skills and a clearer career path than he would have gained in a traditional classroom setting. These experiences not only saved him time but also gave him a strong foundation for his entrepreneurial venture. Isaacs' success story has inspired many young people in the tech industry, especially in terms of education and career path choices. While a university degree remains a standard requirement for many jobs, his journey demonstrates that ethical work practices and personal skills can lead to success. Google, a global tech leader, offers an immense platform for career development and technological resources. Isaacs' determination and creativity stand out among his peers and set him apart as a role model for young professionals. OnSocial, founded in April 2024, is a fledgling digital marketing and creative agency based in London. The company is actively expanding into the UAE market, leveraging the substantial client base already present there. Its core services focus on high-quality creative content and sophisticated paid media strategies to help businesses achieve measurable growth through social media. With a team of seasoned professionals from Google and Meta, OnSocial is well-positioned to provide clients with a high level of expertise and support. Looking ahead, Isaacs aims to continue driving OnSocial's rapid growth and to offer more innovative and effective digital marketing solutions to a wider range of businesses.
