A New Perspective: Growing as a Marketer in the Agency World

Finding My Rhythm

Two years into my marketing career, I thought I finally had a grasp on how the industry worked. My experience in in-house marketing roles taught me how to build a brand from the inside out by understanding its voice, its audience, and its long-term goals. But when I made the switch to Strive, a creative agency, I quickly realized there was a whole new rhythm to the work. The pace was faster, the collaboration deeper, and the creative energy constant.

Adjusting to a New Environment

Transitioning from in-house to agency life felt like entering a completely different world. Instead of dedicating all my time to one brand, I was now shifting between multiple clients, each with its own goals, tone, and creative approach. Before joining Strive, I expected the workflow to be similar to in-house marketing, just with more clients to manage. It did not take long to realize that agency work is far more complex, blending strategy, creativity, and collaboration in ways that push me to think differently.

I soon recognized that my previous in-house marketing roles only offered a snapshot of the full marketing process compared to an agency setting. In those positions, I often found myself stretched too thin across a wide range of digital and social tasks, or focused so narrowly on one area that it limited my growth. As someone who studied marketing and communication, I’ve always been drawn to understanding how each piece connects to the bigger picture. My in-house experience was valuable, but it also made me realize how easy it is to fall into a routine that doesn’t challenge every part of your skill set.

Collaboration That Fuels Growth

Within my first few weeks at Strive, the differences stood out immediately. Meetings were more frequent, and collaboration was clearly at the heart of the marketing team’s success. Although I had collaborated with others in previous roles, each person at Strive seemed to have an area where they truly thrived, making teamwork feel more intentional and balanced. Working in that kind of environment has been both motivating and inspiring, as it’s shown me how much you can learn from the people around you. It has helped me grow not only as a marketer but also as a teammate who values shared creativity and communication.

Balancing Creativity and Strategy

One of the most interesting aspects of agency life is managing multiple clients at once. While that pace might not suit everyone, I’ve found it incredibly rewarding. Balancing several projects at the same time reminds me of what I enjoyed most during college, where I thrived on staying organized, thinking creatively, and adapting quickly. Each client brings a unique set of goals, challenges, and industry nuances that push me to think differently with every project. This experience has not only broadened my understanding of various industries but has also strengthened my ability to approach marketing with flexibility, strategy, and an open mind.

Another element of agency work that stands out to me is the opportunity to strengthen skills that often take a back seat in an in-house role. One of my goals when joining Strive was to dive deeper into the analytical side of marketing, an area I had only been able to explore briefly before. In my previous positions, I was often managing a wide range of responsibilities, which made it difficult to focus on analytics in a meaningful way. While most of my hands-on experience has been rooted in social media, much of my academic background focused on digital marketing, so being able to reconnect with that side of the work has been both exciting and fulfilling.

Becoming a More Well-Rounded Marketer

Working in an agency has challenged me to become a more well-rounded marketer. It has taught me the importance of adaptability, quick problem-solving, and clear communication, especially when managing multiple clients and projects at once. I’ve learned how to adjust my approach depending on the client, the goal, and the team around me. More than anything, this experience has reminded me that great marketing never happens in isolation. It grows from collaboration, from people with different perspectives coming together to share ideas, from testing strategies, learning from data, and building something meaningful. Being surrounded by such creative and passionate teammates has pushed me to think more strategically and to appreciate the power of teamwork in driving ideas forward.

Looking back, the transition from in-house to agency life has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career so far. It has broadened the way I think about marketing and reminded me that growth happens when you step beyond what feels familiar. Every project brings new challenges, perspectives, and opportunities to learn and improve as a professional. As I continue to grow at Strive, I look forward to evolving as a marketer who embraces change and finds inspiration in it.

– Zoie Felske, Digital & Social Specialist