Reflecting on two years as a Marketing Executive
As my second year at OTB comes to an end, I’ve been reflecting on just how much I’ve grown both personally and professionally. Looking back at the person who first walked into the office feeling nervous and unsure, I can confidently say that this experience has shaped me in ways I never expected.
Over the past year, my role has developed far beyond the basics of marketing support. I’ve taken on more responsibility, built stronger confidence in my abilities, and gained hands-on experience that simply can’t be replicated in a lecture hall. What once felt intimidating now feels natural – whether that’s managing website content, contributing to campaign ideas, communicating with clients, or juggling multiple projects at once.
One of the biggest areas of growth for me has been learning how to work more strategically and independently. I’ve continued developing my knowledge of website CMS systems, but this year I’ve also become far more confident in understanding how website structure, SEO optimisation and user experience all work together to improve performance. I can now independently update pages, optimise content, and contribute ideas that support both visibility and engagement online.
My content writing skills have also improved massively. I’ve had the opportunity to explore new digital channels, including helping introduce TikTok as a platform for the agency. This allowed us to expand our social media presence, experiment with new content formats and engage with different audiences, while giving me valuable experience in trend-led content creation and platform strategy. When I first started, writing blogs felt completely outside of my comfort zone. Now, I’m able to confidently write, edit and upload content while adapting tone and structure depending on the audience, along with writing case studies about work the agency has completed. This has strengthened both my creativity and attention to detail, skills that I know will benefit me moving forward in my career.
Another key part of this year has been expanding my experience across campaigns and events. I’ve supported the delivery of multiple client campaigns and agency events, gaining first-hand experience of managing projects from planning through to execution. From communicating with suppliers and coordinating logistics to helping represent the agency professionally at events, these experiences have strengthened my communication skills and taught me the importance of adaptability, organisation and teamwork in a fast-paced agency environment.
I’ve also learnt a lot more about the operational side of running a successful marketing agency. I’ve been involved in briefing creative teams, managing quotes and purchase orders, supporting client communication, and helping projects move smoothly from concept through to delivery. Having exposure to these processes has given me a much broader understanding of the industry and the collaboration required behind the scenes to produce successful work.
Alongside the practical marketing skills, I’ve also developed personally in ways I didn’t anticipate. My confidence has grown significantly, particularly when presenting ideas, speaking with clients and taking initiative within projects. I’ve become far more organised, resilient and proactive, all qualities that are essential within agency life.
One of the proudest moments of my time at OTB was progressing from placement student to Marketing Executive, reflecting the confidence the team had in my contribution and development.
Most importantly, I’ve been surrounded by a team that has continuously supported and encouraged my development. Their guidance has allowed me to turn university theory into real-world experience and has helped me discover the areas of marketing I genuinely enjoy most.
As I look ahead to what’s next, I’m leaving this chapter feeling incredibly grateful for everything I’ve learnt over the past two years. The experience has given me valuable industry knowledge, lifelong skills, and a much clearer idea of the direction I want my future career to take. While it’s sad to close this chapter, I’m excited to take everything I’ve learnt into the next stage of my journey.
