The Life of an Intern at LBi
Posted by Adam Russell, written by Taya Dufall, IPA Summer School Intern
I never thought at the age of nineteen, after my first year of University I would be interning at LBi London for the summer. The general opinion seems to be that I should have spend this summer waking up and going to bed late, enjoying my freedom and generally not doing anything productive around Southampton, instead of moving to London for a 9 to 6 job and gaining experience, but here I am.
I applied for the IPA Summer School 2010 with the attitude of “I’ll never get it, so it doesn’t matter, I’ll just apply again next year” but fortunately for me, (and unfortunately for my bank balance – London is expensive!) I was successful. I now have 2 days left of working here and the whole experience has been one of the hardest but most and beneficial things I have done. From weekly reporting to geese herding, it’s been an interesting way to spend my summer!
Before coming here, I knew pretty much nothing about digital services or what working in a marketing and technology agency would entail. I also think LBi didn’t know much about me coming in the first place or knew quite what to do with me, I felt a bit lost and I was placed in Adam Russell’s team in Media. I think the biggest challenge of my first week was just remembering where my desk was as this building is such a maze.
The thing that has surprised me the most about LBi, and maybe about this industry, is how relaxed and comfortable everyone is allowed to be. People can wear what they want, work at the speed that they want, with music/food and countless mugs of tea or coffee, and as long you get the job done, it’s accepted. I was expecting men in a shirt and tie everyday and instead you can dress as though you’re just popping to Tesco.
One of the things that I have learnt that will stay with me for a long time is how much your behaviour on the internet can be tracked. I never knew that your viewing of one ad can be recorded, and at what time/place, and then the next, which ad directed you to a site, how long you interacted with it for; the list is endless. I wonder how many people in the world actually realise this, and whether they would change their behaviour if they did.
I spent an afternoon in the creative department a couple of weeks ago and enjoyed the brainstorming session we had for a client. I like the openness of LBi and that everyone accepts everyone else’s ideas, thoughts and questions even if they seem ridiculous. As an intern I’m sure I’ve asked many questions where the answer has been pretty obvious but I’ve never been made to feel less experienced or involved than anyone else.
And that’s another thing; everyone gets so involved in the parties, evenings out, lunches, and drinks that take place and I honesty don’t know where they get the energy from! By 6 o’clock a hot meal and my bed is calling me, it’s like I’m a pensioner.
I had never thought about working in digital before coming here and would have probably said it was the wrong direction for me to go in, its not what I have a passion for but now I am thankful I was put here as I have experienced an industry that I might never have considered.
The worst thing about LBi London? The scary small lift.
And the best thing about LBi London? The people.
Taya, IPA Summer School Intern
Interested in working at LBi? Visit our recruitment section for details of current vacancies!