Pros
An undeniable advantage of this role was the opportunity to learn quickly and gain exposure to the full industry landscape. Working with major brands allowed me to flex my skills and contribute to large-scale campaigns, making a tangible impact. It was an excellent environment for building valuable industry connections and developing a reputable portfolio, which has been instrumental in advancing my career.
Cons
During my time at the company, I encountered significant challenges that impacted both my professional growth and overall work experience. One of the most pressing issues was chronic understaffing, with the team remaining under-resourced for over three years. Despite these challenges, we were expected to take on increasing workloads without additional support or compensation. Management issues also played a significant role in creating a difficult work environment. The Business Director frequently acted unprofessionally, setting a poor leadership example and fostering a culture of inconsistency and disregard for employee well-being. The company repeatedly failed to address concerns and complaints raised by both myself and other diverse team members. Rather than resolving these issues, the organization dismissed or indirectly pushed out those who voiced their concerns, leading to a high turnover rate. Overworked and underpaid, I found myself in a company that publicly claimed to be progressive and diverse but lacked true representation in senior roles. This absence of diversity at the leadership level had a direct impact on me, as well as my colleagues from underrepresented backgrounds. There was no structured bonus system, and career advancement opportunities were largely inaccessible to diverse employees, who were either consistently overlooked or subtly edged out of the company. Many colleagues, including myself, experienced racism, exclusion, and an underlying agenda that appeared to be geared toward removing diverse team members. While the company is large and experiences may vary across different teams, my own journey was marked by these systemic struggles.