Thoughts on agency life from our work experience student

This month, Wellmark welcomed Sandra Park, a Year 10 work experience student from Mac.Robertson Girls’ High School, for a behind-the-scenes look at the world of healthcare communications.

Here are three aspects of agency life that Sandra observed during the week, in her own words.

1. The creative process

One of the most valuable things I learnt at Wellmark was how structured the creative process can be. Rather than spontaneous creative outbursts (thought this could happen), most projects follow a clear, methodical path.

First, the team receives a brief from the client. Then, the concepts are brainstormed, thoroughly researched and developed. Internal reviews follow, and finally the best-fitting ideas are presented to the client in a meeting – two of which I was given the opportunity to attend.

There is constant revisiting, editing and refining – the process could be described as a form of problem solving. Experiencing the many layers and elements involved in the creative process really increased my appreciation for all the final products of this creativity that we often overlook in our daily lives.

2. Client communication

Another key learning point was how creative agencies communicate with their clients.

I had the chance to sit in on client meetings, and learnt the importance of being able to clearly and thoroughly articulate the thinking and reasoning behind ideas – whether that be the colours, format or imagery. A strong understanding of the purpose behind each idea was crucial when discussing work with clients.

I also observed as the team managed client expectations, especially when questions or editing requests came up. This really encouraged me to not shy away from being vocal, as questions aren’t necessarily criticism. It was inspiring to see how feedback was communicated and discussed so openly, with a focus on constructive discussion, rather than overlooking any issues.

3. Teamwork

Throughout the week, I watched strategists, designers, directors, writers, developers and account managers work closely together to turn ideas into finished work.

Each team member had their own strengths and responsibilities, but they all shared a common goal: to create a polished final product that met the client’s needs.

Overall, what left the strongest impression on me was the team dynamic. Before going into the placement, I had the impression that people don’t always speak very positively about their coworkers – but at Wellmark, the team seemed genuinely friendly and close. I think this is probably a large contributor to their success. It also made the office feel welcoming, and completely changed my idea of what an office job is like.

Final thoughts from us at Wellmark

It has been very interesting to hear Sandra’s external perspective on our agency processes – and particularly the collegiate way in which we work towards a common goal for our clients, as this is something we pride ourselves on.

It was a pleasure having Sandra with us. Work experience placements such as this represent a great opportunity for young people to explore potential career pathways and for us to help nurture emerging talent.