When thinking about placement options, only one thing came to mind - Digital Marketing. I'm currently studying 3 A-Levels at Belper Sixth form which are Media Studies, Psychology and Music. I've studied Media since GCSE's and it's something I always end up returning to. I particularly love the creative side of the course where we're graded on creating a 2 magazine covers, 1 Double Page Spread, an Instagram Reel and a Website. This is what sparked my interest in digital marketing as it really resonates with the course. As I was researching which companies to reach out to, The Digital Maze particularly stood out to me due to it's unique branding and beyond further research, the work they had produced for companies was truly fascinating.
Getting Hands-On
My time at The Digital Maze surprised me at first, as it was incredibly hands on. Rather than just observing, I was immediately trusted with tasks which helped me a huge amount as I could finally understand the difference between my A-Level coursework and an agency environment.
I quickly learned that the most creative campaigns were based on solid data and a great amount of planning. One of my first tasks was filling in a Customer Persona and Ideal Customer Profile Worksheet, which helped me understand the detailed psychological profiling that agencies use to pinpoint who they are targeting. From there, I moved onto the analytical side of the industry by exploring GA4 reporting. This was a challenge at first due to using a brand new platform however it helped me to see how website traffic, user behaviour and engagement are tracked, which gave me an understanding of how marketers actually measure success.
On the creative side, I had to learn how to adapt my writing style for different platforms and purposes. Drafting a PPC ad copy was a great experience for this as I had to figure out how to capture an audience's attention and action while working within strict character limits. I also put together 2 case studies for Ellenvale and Appliance City. Analysing and writing these studies taught me a lot about how agencies create plans and communicate with clients efficiently. Finally, I created a "Meet the Team" post and conducted an audit of competitor LinkedIn profiles, which highlighted just how crucial brand tone and image is in the industry.
Understanding the Workplace Setting
A huge part of this placement was simply experiencing how a professional workplace actually functions. From day one, the environment was incredibly supportive and I could immediately tell it was a place where collaboration is a natural aspect of the routine. Rather than working in isolated bubbles, the team created an inclusive environment.
A key moment for me was sitting in on a Brand Meeting. This allowed me to see my media A-Level come to life in a professional setting. Watching the team discuss brand identity and consumer habits in real time showed me how the theories I study in lessons can be applied into genuine company strategy. Also, the constructive feedback I received throughout the week made me feel less like a temporary student and more like a welcomed member.
What I'm Taking With Me
Looking back on my time here, I have gained much more than just a line on my CV. Reflecting on these projects I have learnt valuable skills I will take back into my subjects and particularly into my future career. There are 3 skills in particular that I will take with me:
- Data Helps Creativity: Before this week, I viewed marketing as solely creative such as creating posters, campaigns etc. However while using GA4 and completing ICP worksheets, I learnt that although creativity sparks attention, it's the analytics, SEO strategies, etc that ensure the audience is also maintained.
- Brand Voice is Important: Writing for A-Level Coursework is completely different from writing for a commercial business. Whether I was drafting the PPC ad copy, auditing competitor LinkedIn profiles or constructing case studies, I quickly learned that adaptability in communication is a crucial skill.
- Balancing Analytics and Art: Coming from a highly creative background, particularly in Media and Music, I assumed I would only gravitate towards design and creation tasks. However, my biggest personal takeaway was discovering how much I genuinely enjoyed the analytical side of the industry. Figuring out the mechanics of PPC campaigns and analysing user behaviour sparked a completely new interest for me.
Final Reflections
I want to say a massive thank you to the entire team at The Digital Maze but particularly Zara. Welcoming a student into a fast-paced agency environment takes time and patience and I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity and genuine support throughout my placement. What I was expecting to be a standard shadowing experience turned out to be an immersive, hands-on masterclass in digital marketing.
I am returning to Sixth Form with a fresh new perspective, equipped with real-world industry knowledge that will definitely elevate my coursework. Looking further ahead, I am more excited than ever to seek future degree apprenticeships and junior roles in the digital marketing industry.
