In July, I completed my internship with Prospect 13 as part of the Career Ready Mentorship programme. My time here can be described as an incredible adventure, filled with valuable experiences and endless growth opportunities. From the moment I stepped into the office, I was greeted by the friendly faces and warm smiles of the Prospect 13 team!
Throughout my time as an intern, I had the privilege of getting a behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a marketing agency. Cerri McDonald, Managing Director of Prospect 13, acted as my mentor and made sure I was actively involved in everyday agency life, including attending all meetings – I even had the amazing opportunity to shadow a strategy session at our new client Sureclean. It was fascinating to witness how each strategy is uniquely tailored for different companies and to see the Prospect 13 team’s dedication to bringing these ideas (and timelines) to life.
One of my highlights from the month was attending the Kings Award ceremony, held by our winning client Load Monitoring Systems, and making this my first taste of a business event. Networking and meeting new people who had so much to share was an exciting experience.
My favourite part of the internship was being able to attend client meetings and meet so many talented individuals in the process. The atmosphere was surprisingly light and friendly, defying the assumption that business interactions are always tense and serious. Through these experiences, I learned the importance of building strong relationships in business – having the right people around you is crucial for growth and support, a point emphasised by many of the people I met.
When I wasn’t attending events or meetings, I spent my days at the office working on my very own project – a competitor analysis report for Prospect 13. I delved deep into the workings of various companies, gathering comprehensive information for presentation. By the end, I knew these businesses inside out, significantly enhancing my analytical and research skills, and giving me an insight into the different types of agencies out there. The internship and project also naturally improved my organisational and time management abilities.
During lunch breaks, I would sometimes head over to the Grub at The Hub and indulge in my usual Elvis Parsley wrap, the veggie one filled with hummus, falafel, sweetcorn, peppers, olives and onions, which was delicious but definitely not cheap!
Having completed my internship experience, I’ve gained valuable insights into myself and my preferences in the workplace. I now know that I enjoy attending client meetings, strategizing, and being kept busy with stimulating tasks.
However, I found it challenging to manage my personal life around the long working hours, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. Nevertheless, I believe it’s something I could adapt to in the future, as this was a brand new experience and adjustment for me.
In conclusion, the support and encouragement I’ve received from Cerri and the team at Prospect 13 have been invaluable. Now that my internship is over, I can’t help but feel a mix of gratitude and excitement. Grateful for the incredible experiences and knowledge I’ve gained, and excited for the future that lies ahead.
