Where was your first job? What was the most important thing you learnt there?
My first job in the industry was account executive at Livity. As my first role I learnt a lot, very quickly – but I think the thing that stuck with me was the importance of creativity in every response and learning to think a bit differently.
How did you get from there to where you are now?
I went from Livity which was very youth focused to Golley Slater in the start-up brand engagement arm of the group. While I was there as an account manager I was able to get more exposure to FMCG and the business side of the agency, which led me to Exposure. I stayed there for five years working on experiential and then fully integrated projects – combining some of the youth focused experience with larger FMCG and fashion brands. Exposure was where I grew up in the agency world, becoming group account director nearly two years ago before I joined Amplify in January in the same role.
Looking back, did you expect your career path to take the course it has?
I had no idea. I didn’t know where to start when I left university and thought the only route in was via big graduate schemes. When I didn’t get onto any of these I was a bit stuck. I ended up doing lots of free work experience in different types of agencies and then got offered my first role. Since then my career has been quite organic – I've been lucky enough to work in agencies with multi disciplines – events, digital, PR, ATL, so have been able to activate across channels and work with great clients and teams.
Would you do anything differently?
No – hindsight is a wonderful thing, but I think every mistake teaches you something and every decision is made because it was right for you at the time.
Who has inspired you along the way?
I've been so lucky with strong mentors in my career, Kate Clark (nee Naylor) when I was at Golley Slater and Tanya Weller and Jess Binns at Exposure all invested time in my career and managed to both inspire and challenge me along the way.
Have you ever had a job interview that went particularly well or spectacularly wrong?
Both – the worst interview I ever had was for a job I wasn’t really that keen on but managed to get persuaded into interviewing for by a recruitment consultant. It was a waste of both of our time and was cringe-worthingly awkward.
The best interviews I’ve had have been when you just click with the person interviewing you – my last two jobs I’ve walked away thinking "I really want to work for and with you", and that is really important for me.
Is there a piece of career advice that has stuck with you?
Being nice will get you further than being difficult. This has proved true on so many occasions, it's so much easier to work collaboratively with clients, other agencies and suppliers than to fight against them, and it makes for a more productive outcome overall.
What career advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Never compare yourself to your peers. Take opportunities as they arise, learn from the people around you and forge your own path. Comparisons cause you to put too much pressure on yourself and might push you to make wrong decisions.
How do you wind down and relax after a hectic day?
Spending time with my family and friends – none of them work in the industry and they have a habit of making me laugh at myself and put things into perspective.
Want to share your career story with us as part of the ? Email associate editor Rachel Bull to feature in a future How I Got Here.
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