Creator and social marketing agency SEEN Connects runs a yearly Career Kickstarter programme, inviting creatives looking to break into the industry the opportunity to meet the team, get 1-1 advice and get valuable information on how to make it in an agency. 

In 2023, they wanted to ensure they were reaching as many people as possible who would benefit from this opportunity, so they engaged with Creative Mentor Network as their key partner on the event to help ensure that their process was more inclusive to underrepresented groups.

“We know it’s hard to get your first step on the agency ladder when you don’t know where to start,” said Lucy Morris, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Connects. “We also know many brilliant creatives are getting overlooked, which is why we gave away a day of our time to job seekers. Whether they have a degree or not, just left school or are pivoting careers, this annual event is open to everyone. Partnering with Creative Mentor Network meant we spread the word about Career Kickstarter to as many people as possible who would find this opportunity valuable.”

How Creative Mentor Network helped

Working with SEEN Connects, we supported the agency with best practice advice along the process. By ensuring language was inclusive, relevant sessions were offered, and staff received guidance on the best ways our community needed help, we made sure that Career Kickstarter reached a more diverse audience and the team were set up in the best way.

What the day looked Like

On Wednesday 6th September, from 9am to 22.30pm, ten staff members from SEEN Connects opened their diaries exclusively to young creatives looking to make it in the creative industries. With over 100 30-minute slots available, the team took questions from young people looking to make their way into the industry, offering CV support, interview prep, agency job role breakdowns, and a cover letter workshop. Whether job seekers are looking to understand more about the industry or get into data, accounts, content production, or creativity, this gave them a chance to quiz the team. 

THE IMPACT OF THE DAY

Exercises like this are vital for agencies to reach and understand a different generation of talent. This can have a lasting impact on hiring and skills development for staff and junior talent and shorten the knowledge gap that younger creatives from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may face. 

Mentees from Creative Mentor Network took away valuable insights on the types of roles that exist inside agencies like SEEN Connects, tips on networking and connecting to help promote themselves, and helped them with their confidence.

Staff at SEEN Connects reported back with their outcomes, highlighting the breadth of talent and their thoughts on the future talent working to make it in the creative industry. 

To find out more about the work we do and how you can partner with us on our journey to break the class ceiling in the UK creative industries, get in touch here.