When I applied for the Access Interns competition I really didn’t expect to have been selected. I was fresh out of uni, with no real experience in advertising except for the occasional bit of work experience and the competition was fierce.
Get the ball rolling
Nonetheless, I completed the task – a chance to show off my skills by creating a presentation promoting Access, answered a couple of questions and submitted my CV before the deadline (no thanks to my delayed plane – why don’t you want me to get a job Jet2?). After that it was a blur of telephone interviews, train rides and meeting the team, which ultimately ended up with me sitting here on the 8th floor in front of a desk with minion stickers on and Old Trafford sprawling before me out of the window.
My Time with Access
On my first day I was nervous, but I really shouldn’t have been. Everyone was so friendly and along with the other intern, Jack, I got a chance to meet someone from each department who described what they did and how they fit into the agency. I also learnt where the pub was, and about the magical shelf where treats appear – important first day lessons.
At Access I was given real responsibility as soon as I joined, and the work I’ve done during my time here has given me the opportunity to get in involved in all aspects of the agency; creative, digital, and strategy. I’ve worked on websites, flyers, emails, billboards, videos and lots of things in between, I’ve helped with pitches, research and strategy, both for clients and the agency. Alongside all of that I’ve watered plants, slept on a sofa in a meeting room during a 36-hour charity exercise bike ride, been a hand model, won the Christmas quiz, eaten way too many Kinder eggs and, much to the horror of my tea-drinking colleagues, not made many teas.
Extended opening hours
The paid internship was initially for three months, but I ended up staying for eight! My time here has truly been incredible (and no my boss isn’t standing behind me as I write this). The experience and skills I’ve gained have been invaluable, and without them I don’t think I would have been offered a position with Debenhams in London, my next adventure!
I’d urge anyone thinking of applying to just do it! Don’t worry if you think you haven’t got the right experience or the fullest CV, if you’ve got the drive and enthusiasm to do well then Access are brilliant at recognising that and giving you the opportunity to prove yourself. So get off Buzzfeed, pause the funny cats and stop getting HowOld.Net to try and guess your age (no I’m not 44!), apply for the Access Interns competition instead and spend the next 3 months giving your career the best start possible whilst having loads of fun!
Click on the picture below to find out more!
