Cambridge Management Consulting is an innovative ‘consultancy without any consultants’ – they employ experts rather than consultants focusing particularly on digital transformation. I was based within the marketing team; the small team provided a supportive environment to encourage me to use and build on my marketing skills while gaining a direct insight into the career in a professional environment.
While I had prior design experience, I had not used their software (Simplify) and this helped me to broaden my design skills as it allowed me to learn new methods. I also became knowledgeable of the house style emphasising the need to reinforce a brand identity yet being creative.
I created social media videos for four different events as well as world event posts. The world event posts emphasised to me the importance of marketing in building relationships beyond business through raising awareness and celebrating causes like World Mental Health Day. This design experience went beyond social media, as I created various presentation decks based on reports for partners to use. Hearing direct feedback from those who used the decks was a rewarding experience.
The team had many ideas, one was to convert service decks to one-page handouts. Through trial and error we realised that it was not efficient for all services to fit on one page even though aesthetically it would be better. This emphasised to me that not everything will be a success but can be a valuable learning experience to build on.
Another key learning experience was working on the website design. I had limited prior experience with website design, so it was interesting yet challenging to do. The team set up tasks that enabled me to become increasingly comfortable with it, I started by doing data input and moving on to adapt existing pages’ partner information and buttons. I then moved on to building a DPA page before building a microsite. The microsite was to link and detail Cambridge MC’s partner company edenseven, this meant that I had to try to incorporate the very different design styles and figure a balance between too much or too little information. This task was not something I had considered to be a part of a marketing role so was very insightful.
I also completed more general tasks like proof-reading articles and a press release and researching new social media aspects like Threads to make a judgement on whether their use would be beneficial. I further researched partner profiles on LinkedIn to make ‘top trumps’ which would help the team to see partner connections and figure out who they need to assist more. Although data input can be repetitive it was interesting to read and make judgements on different partners with such a range of careers.
Based on the team recognising inconsistency with partner headshot pictures they gave me the task to develop a business case for a green screen set up to then present. Presenting is a skill that I have struggled with due to anxiety however the focused approach and welcoming atmosphere made it even enjoyable to do. The research included comparing large professional set ups to smaller cheaper options.
The task that I found most enjoyable was writing an article (read it here). The article was for a partner charity Storybook Dads, the non-profit helps parents in prison to record bedtime stories for their children. During the second year part of my sociology course included learning about prison reform, having the chance to relate theories I had learned about to a real-life organisation was quite exciting. I had the opportunity to talk with a member of the charity and gain a direct insight of the work they do. Something I found particularly interesting was the fact that they teach and employ some prisoners to edit the stories. It was interesting to experience the process of writing an article and the collaboration that goes into things like editing it.
The Cambridge MC team primarily works remotely, but we had the chance to meet in person and this was a great chance to hear more about the members of the team’s personal paths into marketing and their experiences. I also became part of the wider team through attending partner and team meetings as well as learning and development sessions. The most challenging part of the experience was learning to adapt style wise as this type of business marketing was unlike anything I had experienced. The variation of tasks and team atmosphere was by far the best part. Prior to the internship I was fairly set on a career in marketing while the experience enabled me to see that I would enjoy it, I now feel more open to different career roles. The biggest takeaway was that it is important to me to be able to be creative yet also analytical in a job which is not limited to marketing. It also enabled me to understand the importance of being a part of a company with a friendly and genuine atmosphere as that is what makes tasks truly enjoyable.
