By: Claire Foster, Marketing Associate
A year ago today, I officially transitioned from Marketing Intern to Marketing Associate at Agency 102.
At the time, I was excited and grateful, but admittedly, a little nervous. During my internship, I had gotten a glimpse into agency life, but stepping into a full-time position felt different and completely new.
All of a sudden, I wasn’t just shadowing calls, working on social graphics behind the scenes, or helping edit captions. Now, I was responsible for moving projects forward, building stronger relationships with clients, and taking more ownership over my work.
Looking back now, it’s hard to believe what can change in a year!
Learning That Marketing Is More Than “Going Viral”
One of the main reasons I was initially drawn to marketing was the idea of building trust, community, and connection with a brand. It’s my favorite facet of social media as a consumer, and it still is as a marketer. Early on, though, a lot of my focus was on the content itself and its ability to go “viral”.
This past year at Agency 102 has taught me to think more strategically. While successful marketing heavily relies on quality content, it also relies on understanding people and building relationships with the audiences you’re trying to reach.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with organizations across a wide range of industries, from volunteer fire and EMS, to financial services firms, law practices, insurance, and even a documentary. All of these industries were completely new to me, giving me the opportunity to learn about their services and the unique audiences each one serves.
Instead of asking “What should we post?”, I’ve learned to ask “Who are we trying to reach, what matters to them, and how can we prove to them we can provide value?” Focusing on what our audiences need to hear, rather than what we want to say, is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned so far in my first year as a Marketing Associate.
People Make the Difference
If I’m being honest, I wasn’t particularly confident when I started my first full-time role. I was eager to learn, but there was still so much I didn’t know. While the work itself helps build your hard skills, it’s the people around you who really shape how you grow.
I credit a large part of my growth to the team at Agency 102 continually supporting, challenging, and encouraging me.
Hannah has a unique ability to lead with both support and trust, creating an environment where our team feels encouraged to learn and grow.
Steph approaches every challenge with adaptability and confidence, making even the busiest days feel manageable. Meagan wields a level of social media expertise that makes even the most complex topics feel approachable. Alex has an uncanny sense for client strategy and a talent for keeping projects on track. Sally has a unique ability to see angles that others might overlook, making every project stronger in the process.
I’m grateful every day to have had a front-row seat to what great marketing looks like in different forms. My favorite moments this year have come from brainstorming sessions, client conversations, or end-of-day Slack conversations.
One Year Later
A year ago, I was mostly focused on learning the job and proving to myself that I could do it.
Today, I’m still learning every day, but I have a much better understanding of what good marketing looks like and what it takes to support our clients. I trust my instincts more, communicate with confidence, and feel comfortable contributing ideas that help move projects forward.
One year in, I’m grateful for how much I’ve learned, and excited to see what can happen in another year of saying “yes”!
