Gen Z unfiltered: Starting out - to three months in

Hi again, Ellie here. For those who missed the first article in this series, here’s a quick catch-up: I didn’t take the “traditional” university route into advertising. And honestly? I wouldn’t change a thing. 

Because when it comes to job-hunting at entry-level, leave no stone unturned. There’s more than one way into the industry – and sometimes, the road less travelled is exactly where you’re meant to be.

Flashback to 3 June 2024 – the day I started my apprenticeship (and very nearly missed it thanks to delays on the Victoria Line), to those first three months, a whirlwind of:

• Navigating agency life
• Adapting quickly to a busy time, client-wise
• Finding my voice as the youngest in the room

Navigating agency life

I made it to my first day in the big city, at a proper job. I met the team and my line manager, got handed my laptop, read through onboarding documents, and had an intro from our Co-Founder and Head of Effectiveness, who walked me through True’s full-funnel strategy – something I didn’t understand back then.

The next couple of weeks were full-on: I sat in on status meetings and pitch deck calls, took pages of handwritten notes, and got to know the media, client services, and studio teams. Since I was going to work closely with everyone, I knew communication was key – which meant asking a lot of questions (even the ones I thought were silly). That helped me stop pretending I had it all figures out.

I started to learn:

1. How campaigns actually come together.
2. How feedback loops work.
3. And most importantly, how to bounce back – without taking things personally.

(Luckily, I’ve got pretty thick skin… thanks, Dad.)

Adapting quickly

The more I grew, the more I had to adapt – fast. It was a hectic time of year for the agency, and clients were in full swing. I supported events, helped with reports, and attended apprenticeship workshops – all while working through the IPA Foundation Certificate.

One thing I wish I’d known before starting? Apprenticeships come with a lot of responsibility. It’s not quite like a full-time job – it’s about how much you’re willing to invest in all the extra bits, too.

Juggling multiple deadlines three months in overwhelmed me. But now, I’ve learned to manage the pressure – and that was all part of the process.

Another thing I learned (and keep refining) is the importance of process – and what it takes to get it right. Of course, nothing’s ever perfect. But I stay sharp, double-check my work, and stay open to feedback.

I always say: “Chase progress, not perfection.” And honestly? That applies to more than I thought.

Finding my voice – and getting noticed

Somewhere between meetings and deadlines, I started posting on LinkedIn. I’m glad I did – even though I’m not yet where I want to be. I’m still figuring out what I want my content to be – should it be aesthetic? More personal? But it was through writing up a few event posts that the IPA reached out to me.

It proved that putting yourself out there – even just a little – can open unexpected doors. I’m writing this series thanks to that small risk. I still overthink my posts, but it’s been so worth it.

Quick tip: It can be intimidating working with such bright people – both inside and outside your organisation. But I’ve learned, slowly but surely, that they’re always willing to share advice. Not because they have to, but because they want to – and that’s the beauty of it.

Final thoughts

From 3 June 2024 to three months in, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew I wanted in, but didn’t know what it would feel like. Those first three months helped me find my footing.

Sure, I’ve made mistakes, asked “silly” questions, posted things that maybe weren’t quite right – but I’ve made the most of the seat I wanted.

So, if you’re in your first three months of getting started:

• Be a sponge.
• Say yes (and no).
• Get things so wrong.
• Put yourself out there.
• And leave room to surprise yourself.

The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and were submitted in accordance with the IPA terms and conditions regarding the uploading and contribution of content to the IPA newsletters, IPA website, or other IPA media, and should not be interpreted as representing the opinion of the IPA.