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One Year In: What I’ve Learned About Agency Life

About a year ago, I graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Marketing and Advertising Communications Management. I had a notebook full of ideas and a head full of assumptions about agency life. I thought I knew everything there was to know.

Spoiler: I didn’t. Not by a long shot.

Now, twelve months into my role as an Account Executive at Alphabet® Creative, I’ve seen what really fuels an agency. It’s more intense, more collaborative, and more fulfilling than I ever expected. Here’s a look at what I thought the job would be like, what it’s actually been like, and why I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

The pace of the work

What I expected: Busy, but manageable with good planning.

What I experienced: Constant motion, fresh challenges, and a whole lot of growth.

Yes, agency life is busy. But it’s also energizing. Each day brings something new: a fresh idea, a shifting priority, or a curveball that needs a fast solution. That kind of pace taught me more than just how to stay organized. It taught me how to triage, to quickly assess urgency, juggle competing deadlines, and make smart decisions about where my focus needs to be.

There’s a momentum that comes with this environment. You’re learning quickly, gaining confidence, and figuring out how to support your team while keeping things on track. The pace can be demanding, but it helps you grow faster than you’d think.

Working with clients

What I expected: A steady stream of briefs and tasks to check off.

What I experienced: The opportunity to build trust, think strategically, and contribute beyond the scope of the initial ask.

Some of the most rewarding parts of this job have come from building relationships with clients. At first, I thought it would be all about fulfilling requests. I’ve since learned it’s about becoming a trusted partner, someone who understands the bigger picture and works collaboratively to find the best path forward.

Getting to know each client takes time. But once you’ve built that trust, collaboration becomes more meaningful. You’re working together to bring something to life, not just checking boxes. Projects evolve in real time, sometimes shifting from the original ask. But that’s part of the process. When you understand the client and their goals, you can adapt with them, and that’s what makes the end result so rewarding.

Collaboration behind the scenes

What I expected: Occasional teamwork, mostly focused on my own responsibilities.
What I experienced: Real collaboration where everyone contributes something unique.

One of the highlights of agency life has been working with a team of passionate, talented people. Every project is a group effort; strategists, designers, writers, media, and more all bring something different to the table.

In client services, I get to connect those pieces. I build timelines in collaboration with the team, lead regular check-ins to keep everyone aligned, and act as the bridge between our team and the client, making sure expectations are clear, priorities are understood, and everyone has what they need to deliver great work. When a project comes together, the win is shared. There’s something special about seeing what strong communication and creative collaboration can accomplish.

What school prepared me for, and what it didn’t

College gave me a solid starting point. I learned the basics of strategy, branding, communication, and how to build a campaign. It also helped me build confidence in presenting ideas and managing multiple priorities.

But some lessons only come from experience.

Things like reviewing scopes, managing feedback, navigating approvals, and catching details in final reviews, those are all skills I’ve built on the job. But so are the softer (and sometimes harder) skills: learning how to tailor communication for different clients, developing a more critical eye from watching how others review creative, and understanding how I work best. I’ve learned I thrive in a collaborative environment, surrounded by people who push me to think sharply and move faster. And while I’m still working on staying calm under pressure, I’m getting better at it every day.

What surprised me most is how much personal growth comes alongside professional growth. You don’t just learn how to do the work, you learn how to be a stronger teammate, communicator, and problem-solver.

Final thoughts

If you’re thinking about working in an agency, I say go for it. It’s one of the best places to learn, grow, and stretch your potential.

Stay curious. Ask the questions, even the small ones. Take notes. Celebrate your progress. And when you make a mistake (because you will), treat it as a chance to learn, not a reason to panic.

One of the coolest moments for me this year was getting invited back to speak at Algonquin College, just a year after graduating. Standing in front of students who were in the exact same spot I was not long ago really drove home how much can happen in a short time when you throw yourself into it.

This industry is full of bright, creative, and supportive people. If you come in with the right mindset and a willingness to learn, you’ll go far.

And if you’re a student curious about agency life, or a prof looking to bring someone in to chat with your class, give us a shout. Our team’s always happy to connect.