What Happened at our ‘Intro to Industry’ Workshop?

Intro to Industry is one of our stand out programmes, set to introduce students from various backgrounds in secondary school to the exciting possibilities of pursuing careers in the fashion industry and creative sector. We caught up with Lauryn Walker, who when encouraged by her teacher, attended our last session done in partnership with Farfetch.

At the heart of the programme lay an intriguing challenge—a canvas for Lauryn and other students to dive into, to create a campaign that would resonate with a Farfetch customer. From it, she discovered a love for social media and marketing, something she had never thought of doing, but through challenges set by Farfetch and FMR, she discovered a love for it. 

“After doing it and coming home that day, everything changed. I applied all the knowledge I gained from Daniel and the team to secure a separate marketing job, which then set the ball rolling for my marketing journey” – Lauryn Walker 

Here we speak to Lauryn about her experience and how she used this to get herself a job as a part-time Social Media Manager… before even finishing school!

Can you talk us through what happened at the programme? 

So, when I arrived, I didn’t really know what to expect because my teacher just threw me into it on the day. Upon arrival, I spoke to the team and had a conversation with Daniel. They explained to me what it means to be in the creative industry, emphasising that every role holds equal importance. 

They presented us with a challenge, which involved creating a successful campaign. They highlighted the significance of engaging with customers and staying true to the values and ethos of the company we represented. I chose to work on behalf of Farfetch, ensuring I aligned with their principles, as well as those of the other company, Shoreditch nails. I opted for their six nail polishes and seven other products.

Although most participants selected the opposite, I felt drawn to this option. I felt a bit apprehensive but then spoke to a lady whose name I can’t recall. She encouraged me to go for it, saying that I had great ideas and should just dive in. Taking her advice, I brainstormed while still at the venue to keep the feedback fresh in my mind. Yeah, it was a valuable experience.

So this touched on marketing skills, is that something you were interested in?

I didn’t know much about marketing, you know? Yeah, I had some awareness of it, but my eyes hadn’t fully opened to its potential at that time. I was more focused on pursuing economics. Then, that night when I returned and started delving into marketing, I thought, “Oh, hold on a second, I quite like this. It’s something different and allows me to express myself in a new way.” That’s when I seriously considered a career in marketing.

However, about two weeks before that realisation, a company had approached me and asked if I’d be interested in helping them manage their social media accounts. I was uncertain, so I decided to give myself a month’s trial. After doing it and coming home that day, everything changed. I applied all the knowledge I gained from Daniel and the team to secure a separate marketing job, which then set the ball rolling for my marketing journey.

Can you tell us about the role of Social Media Manager and how Intro to Industry helped you with this?

So, it’s a clothing brand called Escalate. I’ve been working with them for almost a year now. My role involves running their advertising campaigns and managing all the social media posts. 

I think the first thing that stuck with me to this day was confidence. I used to be quite shy and unsure of what to do. However, when presenting my work and campaigns to clients, I realised the importance of being confident, even if I wasn’t entirely sure. It’s crucial for the customer to feel that we are on the same page and that I can handle the task. So, I make sure to project confidence.

The second thing I learned is the significance of diversifying yourself. I used to focus on only one platform, but with the rise of TikTok and similar platforms, I understood the value of branching out. Even though TikTok may not seem serious, it’s essential for businesses to be present there too, as it can help build connections with the audience.

Another important lesson was the importance of research. During the nail polish campaign, I had to check if the products were vegan, cruelty-free, and environmentally friendly, including their packaging. This attention to detail is crucial as it affects the brand’s image, especially with the influence of pressure groups.

They also talked us through the significance of proof-checking and seeking feedback from peers. While not all feedback may be valid, it’s essential to consider different perspectives since the work will be seen by a diverse audience. In the current climate, being careful about our message is crucial, but we shouldn’t compromise our core values.

What advice would you give anyone thinking of participating

Be open-minded because whatever you initially think or believe you’re capable of may change drastically after that first meeting. In that meeting, you’ll be exposed to new ideas and perspectives. It’s when you return home that you’ll start to realise, “Oh, okay, I could do this,” or “They mentioned this, and this person said that.” This is when your mind truly opens up.

Avoid going into it with rigid preconceptions like, “I’m going to do this exactly this way because I read about somebody who did it like that.” Instead, take it all in, absorb the information, and find your own stride. Embrace your unique style and approach to marketing. Don’t worry about what others are doing; there are countless people running marketing campaigns worldwide. Focus on honing your skills, finding your niche, and navigating your path to success. Be confident in your abilities and be open to learning and evolving along the way. 

If Lauryn’s experience at Intro to Industry intrigues you and sounds like something you would like to get involved with, whether you’re a teacher or a student, please get in contact to find out more or follow us on Instagram to find out when the next one is happening!