Happy 6 Months To Me

Today marks 6 months since I first stepped into the offices at Bramley Grange, and I've been on one hell of a ride {a good ride}. My probation period is officially up, and I'm now a fully-fledged member of the digital marketing team, go me! *dances around the room* I still have mountains to climb when it comes to learning, but since starting there I have learnt some fascinating things about me, the industry and working life in general.

1. Don't ask me to make your hot drink if you want it within 2 minutes. {I wouldn't ask me to make coffees either unless you like it really strong or really milky}
2. Tape measures can provide endless hours of entertainment, but can end up annoying colleagues if over-played. 
3. Everyone has normally lost the plot by Friday afternoon.
4. I have limited self-control when it comes to any kind of office treat- I knew this anyway but work has just re affirmed that I can not resist a doughnut or two, or three.  
5. Organisation is the pinnacle to a stress-free day/week/life.
6. Clients don't always want to be on your team, strangely sometimes they'd rather be the opposition. 
7. Re-brands are stressful, especially when it comes to business cards.
8. A recent office shuffle round means I've got one of the best seats in the house- a radiator behind me and a window next to me #ballin.
9. It cab be super hard trying to explain to someone that what I (we) do isn't just try to get them to the top of Google. 
10. Just like school, I hate photo days.
11. The best part about filling a notebook is a trip to Home Sense to source a new one. 
12. Messy draws = messy mind
13. Sometimes clients just don't get it, and you have to be okay with that. 
14. Sleep is for the weak, the digital world doesn't stop.
15. When it comes to networking I either become mute or become the most boring person in the world- I'm working on it.

Start of something new

I have just finished a High School Musical marathon so it was only fitting that I titled this post after Troy and Gabriella's first ever duet {If you have no idea what I'm talking about shame on you!} I am also starting something new, I'm not just dedicating a whole post to High School Musical as tempting as it is. This new thing is in fact a job. I'll say it again, I finally have a full-time, 9 to 5:30 job after 4 months of interviews, breakdowns and career questioning. 

Perseverance paid off, and I'm utterly thrilled (and super nervous) to be starting on Monday as a Junior Digital Marketing Executive, how suave. To many of you that title will mean nothing, so to put it simply, I'm going to be assisting with the digital marketing for a variety of different brands, which is crazily exciting. 

Not only this but I get to be a part of a pretty cool company in a beautiful location, and a welcoming team who share my love of Disney. Fun fact: My first question in my interview was "If you could be a Disney character who would you be?" I'll leave you guessing the answer for now, but I think I'm going to fit in pretty well. 

It does mean that this is my last week as an unemployed graduate so I'm making the most of it by sleeping in, staying in my PJs and soaking up the daytime TV. I'm also having great fun suiting and booting myself up for the occasion with a whole new work-wear-wardrobe and hunting for the perfect mug, you've gotta make an impression. So here's to my new adventure as a working girl, let's drink to that. 

What I learnt from work experience

Recently I spent some time at a small advertising agency in my hometown whilst I was back for Christmas and as cliche as it sounds, I learnt some valuable lessons as to the way they worked. Not only is it normal to speak to the same person ten times a day but also want to shout, scream, laugh and cry in the space of ten minutes. Hopefully this will direct me towards the road to success, but for now I will leave you with what I've learnt. 

1. Note to self: Wash out mugs from the staff room or else your tea will taste like fairy liquid.

2. Put on your sweetest voice when talking to the most difficult clients, it will keep them buttered up.

3. That difficult client will always be right, no matter what. So you just have to suck it up and get on with it. 

4. Everyone loves cake. Victoria, chocolate, fruit it doesn't matter. Clients will devour it. 

5. Having a desk next to a window will ultimately result in endless hours being spent people watching.

6. And staring at the street Christmas lights come 4 o'clock will distract you even more. 

5. Finance systems are the most boring thing, but probably the most important you will ever have to do. 

6. It's crazy how happy a freshly painted room and new blinds can make staff- they even come in on their day off to have a look at it. 

7. Join in on complimenting their freshly painted walls, they really like that. 

8. There's always that one person who doesn't want the heating on #myofficemyrules

9. Finishing work early is like finding that box of chocolates you hid away 3 months ago, everyone is a winner. 

I had a blast at trying my hand at adult life, something my 15 year old self would shudder at the thought of, but it's got me set up for when that 9 till 5 job does come around.