I Didn’t Know What an Agency Was Until I Was in One
It sounds like an exaggeration, but it’s true.
When I was choosing a college, I knew two things: I wanted to study graphic design, and I wanted real-world experience while on campus. Quinnipiac University offered exactly that. The Agency at Quinnipiac is a student-run communications firm that works with real clients on real projects. I first heard about The Agency when I toured the campus, and I kept it in the back of my mind as I started my college journey.
However, I didn’t fully grasp what it meant to work in an agency. Maybe it was the overwhelming nature of visiting a university for the first time, or maybe I just didn’t think much of it, but I assumed The Agency was just another extracurricular, not a fully immersive experience that replicates a professional agency.
Now, after two semesters as a member, and now as the VP of Social Media, I’ve realized just how valuable this experience has been. It has not only strengthened my leadership and industry skills, but it has also helped me understand how agencies truly function in the real world.
If you look up the definition of a communications agency, you’ll find something like this:
“A communications agency is a company that specializes in managing a brand’s or business’s image and communication, offering services like public relations, advertising, content creation, and digital marketing to help clients effectively reach their target audiences.” (Google)
That definition sounds professional and straightforward, but working in an agency is anything but simple. It’s fast-paced, collaborative, and constantly evolving. Over my time at The Agency, I’ve gained firsthand experience working with clients, managing social media, creating innovative designs and coordinating with other creative teams. I now have a deeper, more professional understanding of how agencies function, which is knowledge I’ll carry with me into my career.
3 Key Takeaways from My Time in The Agency
Be open to collaboration.
While you might think you have everything under control, asking for help can take your work to the next level. As the VP of Social Media, I initially assumed we could capture all the content we needed with our phones. However, I quickly realized the quality was not the best. So I reached out to the Photo & Video team, and they were more than happy to help with our project which resulted in a higher-quality final product, all due to our collaboration!A leader doesn’t just lead, they listen.
During my two semesters in The Agency, I’ve held leadership roles in Graphic Design and Social Media, where I learned to delegate, guide a team, and meet project goals. However, I also learned that being a great leader isn’t just about directing others, it’s about listening to them. A good leader values their team’s ideas and works to bring them to life. By incorporating my team’s creative input, we’ve been able to produce stronger, more well-rounded work.Be open to new ways of working.
Personally, I like my routines and tend to stick with ways that have worked in the past. But in an agency setting, you work with different people, teams, and clients who all have unique processes and perspectives. While, It’s important to stay organized, it’s also important to have an open-mind and be flexible. By adapting to new workflows and embracing different approaches, I have been able to not only gain better results and new ideas, but have adopted new ways of thinking.
Final Thoughts
Being part of The Agency has been one of the most eye-opening experiences of my college career. It’s given me a real-world glimpse into agency life, helped me build confidence in my skills, and prepared me for a future in the creative industry.
If you ever get the chance to work in an agency, definitely take it. While you might not fully understand what it is until you’re in it, it’s an experience that will shape you in new and important ways.
Hey, I’m Ashley!
I am a graphic & interactive designer passionate about creating purposeful, fun, and engaging design. Whether it’s a brand identity, a responsive website, or a social media campaign, I love connecting ideas with strategy to make work that’s not only beautiful, but effective.
