WHERE TO BEGIN...
Out of everything I’ve learned and experienced, where do I start?
Perhaps with this clarification: the past three months have been a far cry from the usual internship experience – and that’s what made them so valuable.
RIGHT FROM THE WORD 'GO'!
From the beginning of my time at Haines, I didn’t feel like ‘just another intern’ – I was treated as part of the team. From being welcomed into the office by Hayley’s (the Client Services Partner) dogs, to being fuelled by endless hot chocolates during one-on-ones with the team. It was the perfect recipe for breaking the ice and settling in.
But that isn’t all.
From week one, Ed – my Line Manager and resident Senior Strategy guru – was set on getting my ‘strategy brain’ into gear. He broke down the ‘ins and outs’ of what Haines is all about, the work they do, and kept me sharp with weekly check-ins and quiz questions. This helped me put my knowledge to the test and solidify my understanding of key concepts, as well as ensuring that I was heard and supported throughout my time as an intern.
HANDS TOGETHER. DIVE IN.
After settling in, I quickly dived into the dynamic work environment. I had the opportunity to sit in on client calls and stakeholder interviews with notable brands like Carlsberg, Arla, PepsiCo and more. It’s safe to say that I’ve had a good taste of the scope of agency life.
When it came to hands-on project work, I collaborated with Matt, a Senior Designer, who effortlessly blends creativity with a good laugh, on a creative brief for Giants Coffee. We brainstormed different ways the brand could show up across social media platforms, worked on defining some creative routes, and strategically linked them back to the brand positioning, before presenting our outputs to the client – they loved it.
Another standout moment was when I made my way to the recording studio with Jamie, the Strategy Partner – a strategy encyclopaedia on legs, sprinkled with a bit of wit for good measure. I listened in on a conversation between himself and Paul Thomas for an episode of ‘You, Me and CPG’. Trust me, you’ll want to check out that episode – it’s absolute gold. Just when I thought my podcast experience was over, Esme (one of the stellar Senior Designers) enlisted my support across that episode and a couple more! Who knew I had podcast production skills up my sleeve?
Other examples of notable pieces that I’ve worked on include the Future of Sleep (make sure to take a look at it!), and opportunity to explore a trend that I was interested in titled; ‘Underconsumption Core’, and not to mention practicing and honing in on my strategy skills with Maddie (a Senior Strategist who brings energy and focus to every project) on a mock innovation project that centred around Health and Beauty.
Working alongside professionals at the top of their game on live projects from the get-go (not a common feature of all internships!) can be intimidating, but I truly felt listened to and that my inputs were valued when sharing ideas or presenting work.
THE SOCIAL SCENE
Now, I must say, I did not expect there to be so much social time within such a hardworking agency, but there indeed was.
We had some great team socials, including an evening where I (almost) ruled the table tennis table – well, except for Will, the Creative Partner with the lightning-fast reflexes, and Carina, one of the Strategy Directors who’s as strategic with a paddle as she is with a brand growth challenge. I also went for lunch with the team on many occasions and celebrated Will’s ‘work stag-do’! It was during these moments that I truly connected with the team, getting to know them beyond their professional roles.
But that’s not all.
Being a summer intern, I had the luxury of savouring and sipping at the Annual Summer Party, enjoying hearty conversations while overlooking the scenic streams of Barge East.
A FINAL SENTIMENT
So, if I had to sum up this internship in one word? Amazing.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
Would I recommend anyone thinking of applying to apply? YES.
Do I think you would get a real taste of the world of brand strategy with this internship? I sure did, and I’m certain you would too.
This was only a snapshot of my time during the internship; there was so much more I encountered, enjoyed, learned and explored. You’ll create your own unique story here – so, take the leap and apply. Great people, great place to work, great experiences, what more can you ask for?
Sound interesting? Head to our careers page to find out more and apply: https://hainesmcgregor.co.uk/vacancies/internship-programme/