Background
During my six-week work placement at ADS Agency, I had the opportunity to develop both my technical and soft skills through a variety of hands-on tasks, research projects, and real-world experiences. From exploring industry tools and analysing marketing strategies to working directly with clients and presenting in a professional setting, each week brought a new challenge that helped me grow. This blog is about the journey I’ve taken—from learning how businesses build their digital presence to contributing meaningful work within a fast-paced agency environment. It highlights the key activities I was involved in, the insights I gained, and how this experience has prepared me for future opportunities in the digital and marketing sectors. The ADS Agency team ensured that I undertook task to be able to demonstrate both employability and technical ability as per the T-Level course requirement.
Week 1
In my first week, I focused on research tasks to support ADS Agency’s involvement in the tech industry. I investigated companies that were nominated for key industry awards such as the Rising Star in Tech Awards, Tech Employer of the Year, and Tech SME of the Year. This task helped me understand the competitive landscape and what makes companies stand out in the tech sector. I also used Google Street View to examine specific routes and locations, identifying nearby features, attractions, and facilities. This kind of work required attention to detail and organisation—skills that I believe reflect intelligence and professionalism. It was a great introduction to the importance of being thorough and resourceful in a real-world working environment.
Week 2
In my second week, I explored several digital tools that are essential in modern marketing. I started by reading through marketing blogs and researching platforms like Mailchimp and WordPress to understand how businesses use them to build and maintain their online presence. As the week progressed, I focused on how companies promote their involvement in industry awards using pre-made templates and platforms like Eventbrite. I also investigated the history of award-winning individuals to see what achievements were recognised. A highlight of the week was visiting Plus X Innovation Hub in Slough, where I toured the facility and conducted research on electric vehicle charger brands in an area. These experiences deepened my understanding of how marketing and technology are closely linked and showed me how structured communication tools can strengthen a brand’s voice.
Week 3
This week gave me the chance to observe how marketing interacts with real-world spaces and client relationships. I began the week by attending an outdoor picnic, which helped me build connections and improve my communication with new people. Later, I visited a client and was given a real paperwork to complete, this day included gathering visual and contextual insights from a B2B area. I also was shown WordPress on a real website and had the opportunity to update the website with guidance. This hands-on work showed me how practical marketing requires both technical confidence and responsiveness. It was a week where I had the opportunity to experience real responsibility, and I gained a stronger appreciation for collaborative problem-solving.
Week 4
In my fourth week, I was given the opportunity to present publicly about my placement experience at ADS Agency. The presentation took place at the Santander Work Café in London and helped build my confidence in sharing professional experiences in front of an audience. Following this, I focused on competitor research for one of ADS’s clients, identifying how rival companies structure their services and their previous clients. I also researched how to start a radio station, a task that gave me a unique insight into niche media and how content is developed from concept to broadcast. Additionally, I explored media monitoring systems, which taught me how companies track brand mentions and analyse feedback. By the end of the week, I had also contributed to data entry tasks and attended an online meeting where I was introduced to Zoho Canvas—further developing my understanding of digital tools used in client management
Week 5
This week, I worked more independently and took on a greater role in client engagement. I spent time with one of ADS Agency’s clients where I created a SWOT analysis to help them evaluate their current position and suggested ways to improve their website content. I also created a separate SWOT analysis for ADS Agency itself, analysing the company’s strengths and areas for opportunity. Alongside this, I continued developing my blog and reviewed marketing newsletters to analyse what other marketing agencies include in their newsletters. These tasks helped me think more strategically and allowed me to apply my learning in a real business context, reinforcing the importance of research-driven insight in professional marketing work.
Week 6
In my sixth and final week, I focused on refining and completing the blog that documented my entire placement journey at ADS Agency. This reflective task helped me consolidate the experiences and skills I developed over the past few weeks. I also explored how other marketing agencies use FAQs on their websites, using these insights to help improve the clarity and usefulness of existing FAQ content for ADS Agency. In addition, I researched how agencies present themselves on platforms like LinkedIn, examining their content strategies and the type of posts they use to engage their audience. One of the final tasks I undertook was searching for website templates suitable for a client, paying attention to layout, functionality, and visual appeal. I also took the time to organise all the work I had produced throughout my placement, making sure everything was clearly prepared and ready to be handed over. This week allowed me to apply both analytical and creative thinking, bringing together everything I’d learned and showing me the importance of staying curious and adaptable in a fast-moving industry.