Supporting the Next Generation of Media Professionals: Lily's Work Experience at CMe Media
At CMe Media, we’re passionate about helping businesses grow through marketing, but we’re equally passionate about helping the next generation discover the industry.
We want to give students a genuine insight into what a career in media, marketing and advertising looks like. We want to allow them to experience different specialisms, ask questions and build confidence in a professional environment.
That’s why we’re always happy to welcome students who are considering a career in marketing, design, media or digital. We aim to provide a hands-on experience that helps them understand how an agency operates and where their own interests might lie.
Welcoming Lily to CMe Media
From 29th June to 3rd July 2026, we welcomed Lily, a Media GCSE student at Fareham Academy, to CMe Media for her work experience placement.
Throughout the week, Lily spent time with every department across the agency to gain a broad understanding of how we deliver integrated marketing campaigns for our clients. She was introduced to:
- PPC advertising
- SEO and content marketing
- Sales
- Graphic design
- Email marketing campaigns
- Finance
- Traditional media
- Social media marketing
By meeting each team individually, Lily was able to see how every department contributes to the success of a campaign and how collaboration sits at the heart of everything we do.
She also had the opportunity to sit in on a meeting with Bauer Media, giving her first-hand experience of working with external partners and observing professional client interactions
Learning Beyond the Classroom
One of the aims of our work experience programme is to expose students to areas of the industry they may never have considered before.
Reflecting on her week, Lily said the placement gave her a much wider understanding of marketing and the different roles involved.
"I learnt about each individual role within the company and spoke with every department to determine how the company functions as a whole."
Lily also encountered new tools during her placement. Having never used a MacBook or Canva before, she quickly adapted with support from the team.
I have previously never used a MacBook or Canva so to have to adapt to the technology and the different controls was challenging but with the help of Laura I picked it up relatively quickly. I think being adaptable is an important skill so this experience was a positive learning experience.
Alongside gaining an understanding of agency life, Lily also developed practical skills that she can take forward into both her studies and future career.
One of the highlights was learning how to use Canva, something that will directly support her Media GCSE coursework.
"I learnt how to use Canva which is extremely useful as my Media GCSE coursework that I am now more knowledgeable surrounding requires the use of Canva."
Building Confidence for the Future
One of the most rewarding aspects of offering work experience is seeing students leave with greater confidence and a clearer understanding of their future career options.
Lily particularly enjoyed spending time with each department and attending the Bauer Media meeting.
"I enjoyed my individual meetings with each department and the meeting with Bauer Media. Because they were an external business it was a good way to be placed out of my comfort zone slightly, but I learnt a lot about the content of the meeting but also the customs and behaviour expected."
She also spoke highly of the support she received from the team, saying everyone was welcoming and more than willing to share their knowledge throughout the week.
"Such a lovely and welcoming team who were really willing to share their knowledge with me. To be working in a professional environment gave me some valuable insight to future employer expectations."
Lily's Experience at CMe Media
Reflecting on her placement, Lily shared:
"I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement at CMe Media for my work experience. I was welcomed by such a lovely team into a phenomenal company that has really supported my learning and professional growth by thoughtfully arranging meetings with each department to explain their individual roles within the company, further enhancing my understanding of the industry.
I am leaving now with knowledge across all departments, including some that prior I was even oblivious to the existence of. However, the team has made the transition into an unfamiliar professional work environment so seamless that it has never felt overwhelming or too challenging.
Throughout my short time here my passion for media has only flourished. CMe Media has heightened my desire to pursue it as a career now that I have a realistic experience of what my future could look like.
Not only is the team considerate, they are also all so knowledgeable in their area of expertise, which they were more than willing to share with me. I've even had the opportunity to create my own forms of media throughout the week and the skills that I have learnt could be transferable into any future career.
Thank you so much to the whole team who have made my experience unforgettable."
Interested in Work Experience?
We’re proud to support students who are considering a future in media, marketing or advertising. By providing real exposure to agency life and opportunities to learn from experienced professionals, we hope to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in this exciting industry.
If you’re studying media, marketing or a related subject and are interested in gaining work experience with CMe Media, we’d love to hear from you.
