A couple of months ago, Escone Solutions was on the lookout for a superstar to join them as a placement student. Push came to shove, and we just could not decide between two Digital Marketing students, Holly Forsyth and Caitlin Kurtto from Robert Gordon University (RGU). So, we ended up taking them both!
Now the four weeks is up, and we are sad to see them go so we thought we would ask them a couple of questions to share a bit about their time with us…
1. Give us a bit of insight into the background of your placement with Escone?
Caitlin – After a long while of nothing much exciting happening the 4 weeks with Escone was welcomed with open arms. Although the 4 weeks have absolutely flown by, I have come away with more insight into Escone Solutions and what the company and its partners are about. Admittedly, if you had told me to attempt any type of marketing for an integrated print management dashboard over a month ago, I would have looked at you like you had two heads! So even from thinking of it that way, it shows that I have taken a lot away from the 4 weeks here. Everyone has been so welcoming and keen to get Holly and I as involved as possible even though the placement has been remote.
Holly – After a good few months of being on furlough and my degree being quite relaxed, the last month has been a bit of a whirlwind with placement and coursework ramping up. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Escone – it has been a quick 4 weeks! Everyone has been great getting us involved in as much as possible in the month we have been here. I was nervous about getting started on a new project in a new business, but the team has been so welcoming, and I have really felt part of the Escone family during my placement.
2. How have you found studying for your degree during lockdown restrictions?
Caitlin – It has been difficult. Not in the sense of an increased workload or increased difficulty but procrastinating at home seems to be way easier than procrastinating at uni!
Holly – It has been strange, especially when I spent most of my undergraduate degree basically living at RGU. Although challenging, I have still enjoyed studying towards my degree.
3. What are you most excited for when normality resumes?
Caitlin – As much as it will be exciting to get back to going out to restaurants and beer gardens, I think I’m looking forward the most to a nice summer after a long dark winter locked inside! I have a week away in Aviemore booked with my family that I have my fingers crossed will go ahead.
Holly – I am excited to spend more time with my family and friends again. Hoping for a nice summer to properly enjoy the beer gardens. I have some weekends away planned to get out of Aberdeen after an awfully long year.
4. Have you learnt any important lessons while being a part of team Escone?
Caitlin – That I have missed out on drinking out of a mug with my name on it my whole life until now. I have also learned the real differences between B2B and B2C marketing, which before my placement with Escone I had never put into practice before. The placement will be such a great thing to add to my CV and I am thankful for the opportunity to have had a great 4 weeks.
Holly – I have learned so much in the last 8 months during my studies but coming into the workplace and putting learnings into practice is a totally different experience. I have had some experience with B2B marketing before; however, I have learned a lot more about it over the last 4 weeks. I will take away skills and knowledge from this placement into finishing my studies and into the future workplace.
5. What is next on the horizon in the future for you both?
Caitlin – After a long 5 years in Aberdeen, I think it is time to hang up my boots and migrate back down South to Edinburgh at some point soon. Since lockdown, I think the whole ordeal has made me realise how important it is to be near family. Hopefully, I can get a marketing or PR role whilst I’m at it, that is the goal for me.
Holly – Firstly I have a dissertation to complete while life starts getting back to normal – that will be a challenge. Hopefully, I’ll get a full-time job around September time – not sure what specific role of yet, but something digital marketing based for sure. Fingers crossed there are no more pandemics, or else I’ll need to start looking at another Masters.
6. You both only met in person on the last day of your placement, will you stay in touch?
Caitlin – Holly and I have spoken pretty much every day this month and it’s been an immense help with the work placement being remote, so of course it would be nice to stay in touch. We still have our dissertations to write so I’m sure I’ll have plenty of questions to ask her left in me.
Holly – It has been great to have Caitlin alongside me during this placement. It is helpful to have someone else to bounce ideas off and get opinions. I’m sure we will stay in touch. We still got to get ourselves back to the beer gardens while crying over dissertations.
