Inside the agency: Lilly’s work experience at Knapton Wright

Hopefully you’ll remember us bangin’ on about this long before this post, but once more (for the cheap seats in the back), nurturing the next generation genuinely matters to us. We want young people to have meaningful opportunities to experience agency life and not have to do so by commuting to a city (not that there’s anything wrong with that). Explore different career paths and build confidence in their own ideas.

Cue stage left…our latest work ex bod, Lilly.

When Lilly joined us for work experience, we wanted her to do more than simply observe. She sat in on meetings, met clients, supported live projects and experienced the variety of work that happens across the agency. We also asked her to create her own campaign reflecting on what she discovered along the way.

Here, in Lilly’s own words, is what she learnt about agency life, creativity and some musing on her own future career.

What working at a marketing agency is really like

“Before starting my work experience at Knapton Wright, I wasn’t completely sure what to expect. I imagined everyone would be coming up with adverts and ideas, but I quickly realised there is much more to agency life than that - and that everyone has a different role to play.

“When I arrived, I was introduced to the team and began to understand what everyone does. I soon realised that no two days are the same. One day, I was getting involved in a photoshoot and sitting in on client meetings; the next, I was helping the team create content for different clients. There was always something new happening.

“I thought I would mainly be watching other people work and spending all my time in the office. Instead, I had the opportunity to contribute to different projects, meet clients outside the office and see how ideas develop behind the scenes.

What I learnt behind the scenes

“One of the biggest things I learnt is that marketing involves much more than creating adverts. It starts with understanding what a client needs, then working together to develop content and ideas that are right for them.

“I also discovered how important teamwork is. Although everyone has their own role, people constantly share ideas, ask for opinions and help one another. Experiencing this first-hand showed me how valuable good communication and collaboration are.

“From my first day, the team encouraged me not to be afraid of sharing my ideas. At first, I worried they might not be good enough, but having the chance to contribute and receive constructive feedback made me much more confident. Rather than simply watching someone else work, I was able to get involved in real projects and learn as I went.

“I particularly enjoyed speaking to the team about how they began their careers. They were so varied; for example, one went to university, while the other completed an apprenticeship. Hearing about their experiences and the different routes they took into marketing helped me realise that an apprenticeship is something I would like to explore.

What’s next for me?

“Before starting my placement, I knew I wanted to do something creative after college, but I did not know what career that might lead to. My time at Knapton Wright has given me a much clearer idea of what I enjoy and what I could see myself doing in the future.

“I loved getting involved in the creative side of the agency, especially creating content, speaking to clients and seeing how ideas come together. I also enjoyed working alongside creative people on a variety of projects. The welcoming environment made a real difference because I felt comfortable asking questions, trying new things and sharing my thoughts.

“My placement has changed the way I think about marketing and confirmed that it is a career I would like to pursue. I am leaving with a better understanding of the industry, greater confidence in my ideas and a clearer sense of what I want to do next.

“If I could give one piece of advice to anyone considering work experience, it would be to go for it and get involved as much as possible. Even if something is completely new, do not be afraid to ask questions or give it a try. You never know what you might enjoy or what you could learn.

“I went into my placement not really knowing what to expect. If I had not reached out and asked for the opportunity, I do not think I would have such a clear idea of where I want to go next.”