Internship at an advertising agency – a student’s perspective
by Joanne Dutchak
The phrase ‘time flies’ is testament to my experience at Red C. It’s been six months since I left and I still miss the place!
Before embarking on my annual festival trip to Glastonbury in the summer of 2008, I was elated to find out I had secured the Junior Account Executive placement. However, panic soon struck! As a student with no relevant, practical business experience I was naturally overwhelmed and nervous as to how I could make a positive contribution to Red C. Those insecurities soon disappeared when I realised I was surrounded by people (both in the account and creative departments) who were willing to help, advise and guide me if need be.
This ever-present support network was invaluable. Not only did it make my experience more enjoyable, I also formed (and continue to maintain) fantastic working relationships and personal friendships with colleagues.
Travelling by tram every morning I was surrounded by people who seemed a bit depressed at the prospect of going to work – whether it was because of the awful English weather dampening their mood, or the sheer fact they did not enjoy their jobs.
Either way I never felt like that. Aspiring to pursue a career in marketing post graduation, I always felt lucky and appreciative that Red C had given me the valuable business experience I needed to help me on the career ladder.
Working on numerous fantastic B2B accounts, liaising with some lovely clients and experiencing first hand how marketing campaigns / materials are conceptualised then marketed meant I had a good working knowledge, not only on how an award-winning direct marketing, digital marketing and online marketing agency operates, but also the marketing process overall. I often wondered whether my newly acquired knowledge and understanding would stand me in good stead back at University.
It certainly did.
I found myself applying the marketing skills and techniques I learnt at Red C to my final year project ‘Integrated Marketing Communications.’ The project involved creating a marketing campaign for a new coffee chain. I confidently created: a new creative concept, a new brand name and symbol, a market segmentation strategy, a communications mix plan, a media schedule and a budget campaign. Working in an award-winning creative marketing agency first hand allowed me to apply relevant, practical experience to the project. I’m pretty sure it helped me earn a first grade too, which I’m pretty chuffed about!
As well as being academically beneficial, working at Red C benefitted me personally too. Liaising with clients and suppliers daily, on a one-to-one and telephone basis, meant my confidence and self-ability in my role grew.
I also learnt how to manage my time effectively, prioritise workload and pay attention to detail – transferable skills that can be applied to any job regardless of the career path I choose.
My advice to anyone contemplating doing a year in industry is simple: do it. Placements are the perfect opportunity to discover what working full-time in a real business environment entails. As well as the practicalities and skills you’ll learn, it’ll also inspire you to strive for a career you know you will love. I was inspired on a daily basis by every person who works at Red C – from top management to account executives. Their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm to the job in hand, is apparent in everything they do.
Some students are under the illusion that companies employ students solely to make the tea and do the faxing – granted some companies may be guilty of this. Red C completely contradicts this perception. I can count on one hand how many cups of tea I made! My experience well surpassed just making tea. I was even lucky enough to attend a photo shoot, which I loved.
One of my marketing lecturers regularly refers to Red C is in his seminars! Using Red C to illustrate a point in a learning environment is symbolic of their reputation as Manchester’s leading creative marketing, digital marketing and direct marketing agency. As clichéd as it may sound, it makes me smile when my lecturer mentions Red C. It’s great to know I was part of such a successful company – genuinely setting a benchmark for future organisations I work for.
Working for an award-winning creative marketing, digital marketing and direct marketing agency reinforced my aspirations to pursue a career in marketing. I am undecided whether I will base myself up North or in London. One thing’s for sure, I’ll always be grateful to Red C for taking a chance and giving a girl from Doncaster – who’s only ever worked in a cinema! – a chance.
Tags: Account Executives, Advertising Creative Department, Award-Winning Creative Marketing, B2B Marketing, B2C Marketing, Digital Agency Manchester, Digital Marketing, Digital Marketing Agency, Direct Marketing Agency, Integrated Marketing Communications, Junior Account Executive, Manchester Metropolitan University, Marketing Agency, Marketing Campaigns, PPC Advertising Agency, SEO Company, Student Placement
