From marketing insight to hand-on experience at the Pod

My time at Pod has been eye opening as I delved into the inner workings of the marketing industry and the mechanics of agency-side work. I intended to explore the field before I go to university and gain experience for the professional world I aim to join. It’s been insightful observing the work of the five centres of excellence within Pod, and the synergy between them to produce smart and successful campaigns. I’ve been able to distinguish the importance of each centre by working in digital, hearing from PR, content and strategy experts and trying out some design softwares to explore the creative process. 

Experiencing agency life

My time here has highlighted the importance of adaptability in agency life. The fast-paced and ever-changing nature of the working week has shown me how crucial it is to adjust quickly to frequent changes, in order to ensure the best work and outcome for clients. Watching different teams liaise in order to meet deadlines and get the best results showed me how critical cross collaboration is to ensuring impactful work. 

Six weeks ago, I spoke to [Pod co-founder] Jen Hughes about my goals and why I’ve chosen to pursue marketing at university. I touched upon how I’ve always taken notice of advertising campaigns around me and been fascinated in what leads to the success of certain ones over others. Now, with the insights I've gained at Pod, I have even more elements to scrutinise or admire: helping strengthen my critical eye, nurturing my ability to strategically generate ideas of my own and stay interested in emerging industry trends and best practices. 

Fostering practical experience

When I first joined, I knew almost nothing about the fundamentals of digital marketing and now, thanks to the amazing team who fostered my practical experience, I’ll be able to go into university with a jumpstart in my learning and solid foundation for further growth. From learning about search engine optimisation and social media campaigns then using tools like Google Analytics, Squarespace, HubSpot and Semrush, I was able to support The Marketing Pod in their internal and client work due to the training provided to me by Emma Thompson and Raven Wheatley-Hawkins.

When it comes to working in creative, I was shown by Zoë Barber the importance of picking the right logo, colours and typography, to shape the way a brand is perceived. A good brand guideline stays consistent with these elements to reflect brand personality and maintain a strong and recognisable identity. In my first week, Stuart Burton gave me an introduction to the design software programmes used to create Pod’s graphics. Later on, having the opportunity to apply these skills myself was a great experience that allowed me to act on my creativity in a new medium. This also reaffirmed that I had chosen the right course, with many paths I could one day take.

I learnt from Natasha Shaw, UX/UI Designer, the process of website auditing to address the importance of the integration of visual design with usability, accessibility and performance. This reinforced the importance of the overall thought behind the user experience beyond just what the user sees. 

Invaluable experience

I am deeply grateful to the members of The Marketing Pod for providing me with invaluable experience and helping me develop my skills alongside seasoned professionals. Their shared expertise has not only enhanced my understanding, but also enabled me to begin building my own professional network and skillset. I will carry the knowledge and insights I’ve gained into both my university studies and my future career.