Breaking into the creative industry can feel like an exciting, yet daunting task - or at least it did for me! Especially when you’re not quite sure what agency life actually entails. After graduating from Newcastle University with a degree in History, I found myself in a familiar position for many graduates - motivated, but mostly uncertain about what my next steps would, or should be.

While working as an assistant manager at a betting shop, I got an opportunity to earn some work experience in the account management team at Rock Kitchen Harris. It was a real switch up, but RKH were flexible around my availability, enabling me to continue my day job, while gaining valuable insight into an industry I had long been interested in, but knew little about in practice.

First impressions of agency life

I felt a mixture of eagerness and intimidation going into my first few introductions to the team. Work-related conversations would often include industry terms and acronyms that went straight over my head, but I soon found my feet. It was reassuring to discover that colleagues whose experience dwarfed mine were still continuing to learn something new about this ever-evolving industry. Internal training sessions and open discussions create a supportive environment where questions are encouraged and professional development is part of the culture.

One of the biggest surprises was how much value is placed on soft skills. While creativity is important, it became apparent that communication, organisation, and adaptability are essential, too. Being able to prioritise, respond to feedback, and work collaboratively are all important skills. I gained a lot of insight into the day-to-day life of an Account Manager through my time spent with Senior Account Executive Lucia and Steve, one of our Account Managers.

Spending time around the team underlined the importance of culture in agency life. Seeing how the team shared ideas, handled challenges and took pride in their role highlighted how much people and relationships matter in a creative environment. I was particularly impressed by this, especially as RKH is a predominantly remote agency.

The shift to a full-time role

Upon the conclusion of my work experience I was left with a big ‘RKH’ shaped hole in my chest… but it wasn’t long until I received an email from Lucia notifying me of a job opening in the Account Management team.

Much like with any change of job, transitioning into a new role was challenging, but having spent time watching from the stands, I felt better prepared and more confident stepping into a permanent position. Being surrounded by supportive colleagues has made the learning curve far less intimidating than I had expected, and they boost my confidence in my knowledge and ability every day.

Advice from someone still figuring it out

Looking back (all of six months…), taking on work experience with RKH was an invaluable decision for me, my personal development, and - of course - for RKH, the truly lucky ones! The process offered clarity and confidence that this was a career I wanted to pursue, a greater understanding of life within a creative agency, and eventually, a full-time role.

If you’ve read this far, I’m sure you’re considering taking that first or next step yourself - and my advice would be simple: go for it. Put yourself out there, stay curious, and don’t underestimate where a single opportunity could lead. Don’t wait for something to come to you - go out and find it. Sign up to industry newsletters, read blogs, follow people and agencies you admire, and stay curious about trends and campaigns.

If there’s a company you’d love to work for, reach out and ask about work experience or shadowing opportunities - you’ll be surprised how far initiative can take you. Ask questions, step outside your comfort zone, and keep asking more questions. Showing enthusiasm, curiosity, and a genuine willingness to learn will always set you apart. Enjoy the wins, learn from the setbacks, and treat every opportunity as a chance to show yourself - and others - what you’re capable of.