Essays to agency – life as a kwpx grad

There is nothing quite as daunting as taking the first step into your career.

After months in the whirlwind of looming essays, overwhelming deadlines, and the forbidden (yet continuously asked) question, “So, what are you doing after you graduate?”, everything has been leading up to this moment.

Suddenly, you’ve become the intern, or maybe the graduate. And you’ve been transported back to the feeling of your first day of school, bag in hand and a whole lot to learn.

Hi! I’m Sophie, Integrated Graduate at kwpx and entirely new to the world of all thing’s agency, advertising and now, graduate.

However, my journey with kwpx didn’t begin as a graduate, instead, I was first ‘the intern’. And becoming the intern, was perhaps the hardest part.

As the end of my university degree quickly approached, the pressure to find somewhere that would take me on was at an all-time high. Everyone knows the value of industry experience as a graduate. No one warns you just how hard it is to secure.

I spent months writing applications, sending emails, and attempting to land meetings – only to be met with a lot of rejection. It seemed that a lot of businesses didn’t see the purpose in taking on an intern, and the more defeated I became – the more I couldn’t help but feel the same way.

With little to no industry experience, it’s an intimidating position to be a graduate attempting to enter the ‘big world’. However, it is important that as graduates, we remember that we offer something unique. With new perspectives, an eagerness to learn and a fresh passion for the industry we’re entering – where we lack experience, we make up with drive.

Taking this as a seed of motivation, whilst remembering a willingness to work hard and be dedicated to any opportunity that arises, I finally received a response.

It was kwpx.

It only took one meeting with kwpx for me to recognise that they sat apart from other agencies. As we sat down and spoke, rather than asking me what I knew, they asked me what I wanted to learn.

With the door open for honest conversation, I was able to speak about my current lack of experience, but also where I felt my strengths and interests lied. Rather than seeing this as a negative, kwpx recognised this as a point of potential. With no experience, but a broad interest in the roles within the agency, kwpx saw this as a chance for me to try it all. There was no box I had to fit into, rather there was a pool of opportunity for me to dive in.

Kwpx didn’t expect me to have experience, instead, they wanted me to be creative, willing, excited, and passionate. They wanted me to be an intern and learn as much as I could whilst I did it.

In consideration of this, kwpx created an internship experience tailored to who I was. Over the course of my internship, I was given the opportunity to spend time with each team in the agency. It was an invaluable experience which allowed me to understand the various roles in the industry whilst also getting a chance to work on a variety of tasks and clients.

My experience as an intern was incredible, with each team welcoming me in immediately. From my first day onward, I was invited to team and client meetings, brought along to team lunches, and involved in a variety of work.

 

In my time at kwpx, I found that each person I interacted with, truly valued deep connections. The agency value rung true in the conversations I had with each team member, eager to ask me about myself and open to share their own experiences.

I came to the end of my internship not only with a better idea of agency work but with a wealth of advice from those with years within the industry. And after having such a memorable experience, I was disappointed to leave it behind.

However, deep connections mean lasting ones. As I approached my final day, I found many team members reaching out to catch up. Offering industry advice and their own assistance, I wasn’t left to feel alone. Instead, I felt that I had people behind me who were supporting me.

These discussions led to opportunities, with the exciting offer to become the first Integrated Graduate at kwpx. This was a role that would take the idea of my integration across the agency, similar to my internship, but with a deeper approach.

As an Integrated Graduate, I will spend this year with various teams in the agency including Digital Partnerships, Digital and Offline Media, Account Management and Strategy. I will have the opportunity to work alongside a variety of people and the chance to learn about their roles in more depth. It’s an exciting time, with a great opportunity to learn new skills and play my own role in assisting each team.

 

And now finally, as I look back at my time as an intern, and as I continue this year as a graduate – here is my own advice for those leaving university and entering the industry.

• Be honest. Be genuine about your lack of experience, as graduates our strength is found in our motivation, rather than our time in the industry.
• Work hard. Put your all into every opportunity you are given. It isn’t until you give something a go, you will find out if you hate it or love it. Most of the time, it’s the latter.
• Build connections. Establish connections with the people you meet in the industry, there’s no better way to understand your own career, roles in the industry and establish future opportunities.

 

In the short time I have been with kwpx, it has been honesty, hard work and connections that have made it the incredible experience it has been so far. Through honest conversations, I’ve learnt to recognise my own potential, whilst finding ways that I can grow into a better version of myself within the agency. By working hard, I have been able to join exciting tasks with my team members, where I have learnt not only new skills but valuable lessons from the people I have worked alongside. In turn, I have built connections – friendships that encourage, challenge, and inspire me as a new graduate in this industry.

If you are a graduate, intern, or someone looking to gain experience within this industry, an opportunity with kwpx is one that you will want to take. Make this happen by reaching out to kwpx via our Careers Page here.