The workshop began with a talk by Vida’s co-founder Ellen, who introduced Vida and what they do, before explaining exactly how they meet with businesses and work with them. She gave us an overview of how they first start discussing branding options with a new client before having us form small groups and put into practice what she’d just explained. The task required us to look at different ways of branding a product for different audiences, analysing whether the business wants to be seen as formal or informal, corporate or casual. Whilst there was some hesitancy around the room, the task meant that everyone in the room formed groups and began to discuss with each other. In my opinion this alone meant the talk was more helpful than others I’ve been to as it forced us all to converse, something I’ve found many people (including myself) are unwilling to do during career events.
Ellen then handed the reins over to Jay, a former student at Newcastle who joined Vida full time after completing an internship with them during her masters year, an opportunity she found on Newcastle’s ‘MyCareer’ website. Jay’s talk was informative and helpful, with her advice being specific and focused, discussing utilising student society roles on your CV, rather than vague. Them being a former student at Newcastle also meant that they could discuss tools available to us as current students, like the career service, with personal experience woven into the discussion.
Overall I’d say that despite this event only being an hour long, I walked away with a much more informed knowledge of what roles are available within a creative marketing agency like Vida and what appropriate steps should be taken if I choose to go into marketing post-grad.