When it comes to career choices, I was what you’d call a 'hopeful hopper'. I got a degree in law. Then promptly took a job in finance. And in between, dabbled in anything else I could get my hands on. But it wasn't for me. Call me a millennial if you will, but I want more from my work life. I don’t want the corporate hierarchy typical of traditional jobs. With a world full of opportunities, I want to combine the things I love: storytelling, brainstorming and all things digital.
Two months ago, I joined Crowd as a Social Media Executive. Cue dramatic music and fireworks - I actually look forward to going to work now. The learning curve is practically vertical, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. From a person who had no idea about her career path, here’s what I’ve learnt so far from working in a global digital marketing agency:
1). There’s no room for passengers
From day one, I was fully integrated into the world of digital marketing. Unlike in-house marketing functions, where it’s often all about procedures and policies, in an agency your contribution is genuinely required – and demanded - from the start. It’s high pressure. That’s the thing about agency life: if you take a passive approach, you’ll come up short.
2). An open mind is essential, not an option
Compared to in-house organisations, most agencies are a constant work in progress. It’s part of their charm. By being a member of a growing company, your own growth is inevitable. Client work is handled in parallel to agency development. Having an understanding of the wider landscape is not limited to juniors, but is an expected company culture. The beauty of agency life lies in its variety. In-house, you’re trained to be a specialist in a particular field. In an agency, you’re trained to be a specialist in many fields. Period.
3). Teamwork makes the dream work
I joined an agency with offices all around the world. Part of the job requires working round-the-clock on global projects with a diverse team. In a place where brilliant work is created in the spaces between different minds, having a lone wolf mentality will only get you so far. To properly contribute, you need to be a true team player. Listen and share. Give and take. It’s fairly simple.
4). You’re never too [insert any trait here] to learn
Whether you’re a seasoned traveler with a broad world perspective, or an industry expert with years of experience, you’re never too 'anything' to stop learning. A great thing about agency life is being exposed to ever-changing customer needs and expectations. What worked today might not work tomorrow. In a dynamic time, constant change is the only certainty we can count on.
5). Knowledge is one thing - insight is another
In my short working career, I’ve come across many professionals who know a lot of stuff. Of those, very few truly know how to best apply that knowledge to solve real business challenges. In an agency, you’ll deep-dive into different fields of work in different industries all the time. Knowing everything is not possible. Training to have perspective is. You have to stay abreast of the trends, apply the right framework and truly understand your clients.
6). You’ll grow in between the gruelling projects
As the saying goes, before teaching - do. Although creativity is at the core of agency work, it’s built on a foundation of client management, budgeting and applied methodologies. In addition to learning the basic how-to’s, there’s always a project less ideal than you’d imagine. The best thing? Work through it and build on your experiences. You’ll be better off for it.
7). Nourished ground is where creativity flourishes
As an agency team, we have the benefit of working in an environment different from the norm. We strive to be creative. Which is why the next point is probably the most important: give your ideas maximum respect. You didn’t come here to sit and be silent. Constantly come up with, and challenge, ideas. Train your brain to look for the compelling factor each time. It’s your ultimate asset.
Anyone can do a job. In an agency, you have the opportunity to build a career, and a life. Listen, change and adapt. You’ll soon learn that no other line of work is quite as rewarding.
Do you want to learn more about the team? Then head on over to our about page and see the rest of #TeamCrowd.
